Don’t install meters at parks, beaches

Apparently the word "no" is not in the lexicon of the City Council, which is again raising the specter of parking meters at Honolulu’s public beaches and parks with Bill 30, aimed specifically at doubling the parking fees at popular Kapiolani Park and Aala Park. The bill raises the possibility of 24-hours-per-day charged parking as well.

The city parks and recreation deputy director, Al Tufono, said that the extra parking revenue would help maintain city parks for everyone. However, our taxes already pay for the upkeep of parks for everyone.

If this bill passes, rest assured the city will be installing parking meters at every public park and beach on the island — at Sandy’s, Makapuu, Waimanalo Beach, Sunset, Shark’s Cove and anywhere it is possible to squeeze another cent from the public.

"We’re not going to rule anything out if this bill passes," Tufono said.

This is nothing less than a user’s fee to use the beaches and parks. Let’s remind our Council that we’ve paid already.

Anne K. Clarkin
Diamond Head

Why is gov upset about PUC votes?

So Gov. Neil Abercrombie may be unhappy with his appointees to the state Public Utilities Commission because they have voted, for once, in the interest of ratepayers ("Gov will reassess interim choice for PUC," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 4)?

The PUC turned down the Hawaii Electric Light Co. proposal to buy extremely expensive biodiesel made by a process that is just not ready for prime time. Is he proposing to jack up the cost of electricity on Hawaii island, the highest in the whole country? Does he realize that Hawaii island is already producing more than 30 percent of its electricity from renewable sources and could be entirely self-sufficient if geothermal energy production had not been artificially limited by the misguided policies of the PUC?

I am truly disappointed that our governor can support such red-herring projects as those of Aina Koa Pono, the biodiesel project, and Hu Honua, the biomass incineration project. Hawaii island must develop its great geothermal resource and HELCO should become the electricity distribution company.

Adrienne S. Dey
Hilo

People can’t win with electrical rates

The story about Hawaiian Electric Co. wanting another rate increase because it is not making enough profit due to the use of solar panels makes me wonder if HECO is guaranteed a certain profit margin by the state ("Rate increase blamed on sun power," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 6).

If so, why should anyone try to follow the energy savings suggestions in the HECO commercials? Their rates will just increase anyway.

We switched to completely cold water laundry almost a year ago and have yet to see any savings in our bills, and we have not increased usage in other areas.

The major problem as I see it is that HECO has a monopoly.

Teresa Mary Tugadi
Mililani

Park neighbors do have parking rights

A letter comments that Gold Coast condominium owners are not entitled to long-term parking on streets around Kapiolani Park ("Park neighbors getting free ride," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Feb. 4).

In fact, they do have a certain claim. At the time when most of these condominiums were built, the zoning regulations did not require that they provide at least one off-street parking space for each owner, and many did not. There was an implicit understanding in these old zoning regulations that sufficient on-street parking would be available to owners.

Bill 30 effectively cancels this understanding, since it makes much of the nearby parking unusable by apartment owners, in particular during hours when there would be little or no use by park visitors.

The bill should not be passed in its present form.

Edward Conklin
Waikiki

Bush tax cuts added to our budget debt

A letter writer asked how higher taxes "will solve our budgetary problem" ("Talk of taxing wealthy is just a distraction," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Feb. 5).

Well, if you Google the question, you find that the Bush tax cuts for the last decade cost our government between $1.5 trillion to $2.8 trillion, depending on the source. And if the "Buffett Tax" on millionaires went into effect, that estimate would add between $0.4 trillion to $0.7 trillion to the treasury for this decade.

Now, if you want to talk about distractions, stay tuned to the spins from the Super PACs exploding on both sides. We will need a fact checker for everything printed or broadcast, including our letters to the editor.

Jim Wolfe
Nuuanu

Let’s treat symphony better this time

Lovers of orchestral music are about to be rewarded with the inaugural season of the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, March 4 to May 20.

When the Honolulu Symphony died two years ago, many expressed regret, saying, in so many words, "It’s been a while since I went to a concert, and now the symphony is gone. I really enjoyed their music … I wish I’d gone more often."

We won’t have to suffer such regrets again.

With tickets now on sale, we have a second chance to show our support for this wonderful ensemble, which (as the Honolulu Symphony) routinely won praise from the soloists and conductors who performed with it. I hope everyone will take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy this orchestra, one of Hawaii’s stand-out cultural resources.

Howard E. Daniel
Kailua