Military spending study incomplete

Do we really benefit from military spending? The recent RAND study seems to merely confirm for Hawaii residents that the military pours lots of "gross" dollars into the economy ("Military pays out $12.2B in Hawaii," Star-Advertiser, June 1).

The study is narrow, as it primarily shows gross economic expenditures of which the military sector benefits most. There is "trickle down" on the larger economy, but the "net" economic outcome is not considered, as well as cultural, environmental and social costs. For example, it’s well known among some that the military is a big polluter in Hawaii. The destruction of coral reefs, torching of valleys and desecration of native sites and remains are also not rare occurrences. Who pays for this?

Providing civilian jobs is wonderful, but what about these military construction projects in relation to the high cost of living? The study further does not distinguish between military personnel from Hawaii and the large numbers brought in, so we are assumed to be one big happy "ohana." Last, the military budget is huge, so taxpayer dollars need to be deducted from the "benefits" of gross spending.

All in all, a real comprehensive study is needed.

Tony Castanha
Honolulu

Humane Society could use some help

I am one of the hundreds of people fostering some of the animals confiscated at the end of February from the possibly illegal Waimanalo puppy mill.

I can speak to the amazing job the Hawaiian Humane Society has been doing during this massive undertaking. In addition to its usual full-capacity inventory of animals, they had to perform health checks and render medical care to these animals, scramble to conduct foster training classes and find enough foster homes. Among other things, it provides all supplies, food and toys to foster families, and performs check-ups and administers vaccinations. Every interaction with the society has been pleasant and professional.

Consider opening up your heart and home to one of these foster animals for a rewarding experience during their critical need. Seeing the transformation that these animals can make with a little attention, training and love is so gratifying.

Pat Goding
Waikele

GOP should not rely on gerrymandering

The 1981 Travis v. King decision was decided by a three-judge panel, not by a single district judge. There was no appeal by anyone at that time.

I was Republican Party chairman and lead counsel with David Ezra on that case. I was acutely aware of the mischief that can occur when you have multimember districts.

Plunking for a single candidate essentially gave a voter four votes in a four-member district. Republicans did benefit at that time from the multidistrict arrangements. Collegial efforts worked in some cases for the good of all. Fred Rohlfing is right about that, as well as about having a unicameral Legislature as long as the representation is single-member ("Reapportionment should adopt multimember districts," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, June 8).

But one man and one vote is what the current law requires (Reynolds v. Sims).

If Republicans want to win, as shown by a few in this last election, they can; they have to work for it, not gerrymander for it.

John S. Carroll
Honolulu

Rail contractor not popular in L.A.

Those of us who now live in Los Angeles are struggling with gas prices and building a new train just like Honolulu.

But we really were burned by the company you’ve chosen — Ansaldo. We still haven’t gotten all the rail cars promised years ago and our transit authority called Ansaldo "unprofessional and unbusinesslike."

L.A. canceled the contract.

Honolulu may want to rethink this decision. We did.

Siha A. Collins
Long Beach

Planned Parenthood was misrepresented

The article starts out OK and sounds fair and balanced until you get to the last few paragraphs: Planned Parenthood is a "towering abortion empire" ("Roe v. Wade losing ground," Star-Advertiser, May 24).

One would think that the writer of the article — a "senior research fellow" at the Heritage Foundation — would at least read the papers. Ninety percent of Planned Parenthood services are not abortion, but other life-preserving services to their female clients.

Tom Tizard
Kailua

Let’s start lobbying for Obama library

The vote is in. According to the Star-Advertiser’s "Big Q" (May 27), 70 percent of 923 respondents think Chicago will be home to the Obama Presidential Library.

Let’s start right now to ensure we honor our local-born president by establishing the Barack Obama Presidential Library in Makiki. Let’s give this library special, statewide leadership responsibility.

Target library services to youth in the formative educational years parallel to the ones Obama spent here. Public libraries should take the lead as cheerleaders for reading. Unfortunately, budget cuts and position eliminations over the past 20 years have gradually weakened outreach. This would help reverse a negative trend.

The new branch also would have all the useful services of a statewide partnership, including free loans from any public library in the state.

Who will vote for and work for a Barack Obama Presidential Library in Makiki? Speak up!

Sylvia Mitchell
Librarian, Makiki

BOE wrong to cut adult education

I was disturbed that the state Board of Education has decided to cut funding to the adult education program. This program offers one of the few options available to students who have been unsuccessful in public high schools.

I wonder if the BOE understands the repercussions this will have on the communities served. The BOE is taking away the hopes and future of many of Hawaii’s residents

Does it realize what the social costs will be, such as increased unemployment, homelessness, government assistance and crime?

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure; $5 million in funding a year could save the state tens of millions of dollars in increased cost of social programs.

I hope the governor has more foresight than the BOE and will realize the implications of terminating adult education.

Vance Watabu
Pearl City