‘Opposition’ party offers no solutions

The premise that a one-party system caused the recent low voter turnout is flawed ("No-shows are higher than ever at polls," Star-Advertiser, Nov. 6).

What is lacking is a loyal and measured opposition.What we have been subjected to is a group of petulant schoolkids throwing sand at each other.

Hawaii has serious issues to resolve.Where is the opposition’s plan to address Hawaii’s high cost of living, its failing education system or its crumbling infrastructure?

If Hawaii suffers from a one-party system, whose fault is that?

I’m sure the dueling political scientists have their answers.What answers do the voting public have?

It could be suggested that any real opposition would have a comprehensive strategy to address these and other issues, as opposed to smearing the opponent.

This election saw neither major party take the high ground.Who subsequently suffers?

Vic Craft
Kapolei

Democrats brought Hawaii out of the past

As an 82-year-old native-born Hawaiian, I clearly remember when Hawaii was under control of the Republicans ("Hawaii Democrats behave like sheep," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Nov. 6).

The entire local and state government, law enforcement and education systems were under the appointed control of the Republican Party. I remember in high school where union sympathizers, including teachers and students, were questioned by the FBI and called "communist pigs" by fellow teachers.

I welcomed the rise of the Democratic Party in Hawaii with the return of the 442nd and 100th Battalion veterans and the strengthening of individual workers’ rights by the unions.Ialso welcomed same-sex marriage and equal treatment for all.

Long may the Democratic Party reign in Hawaii.

Richard Endo
Kakaako

Too bad Foodland is leaving Ala Moana

How sad and shocking to hear Foodland is closing its Ala Moana store as of Dec. 13 ("Foodland says aloha to Ala Moana after 55 years," Star-Advertiser, Nov. 6).

This is a real jolt out of the blue.So many well-appreciated things are here one day and gone the next.

If the public had been aware of this earlier, perhaps a better outcome would have prevailed.

I do applaud Foodland for not being squeezed for too much money and having the courage to say "no."The space is probably already rented to another expensive clothing store that not even the tourists need.

Foodland was one of the few real stores in the sense that it had a real purpose other than just conspicuous consumption.The center should have kept it, even if it considered a lower rent to be a form of subsidization. It fulfilled a needed public service, even if it dented that infamous bottom line, and I will greatly miss it.

Carol Rothouse
Waikiki

Fair property tax is sorely lacking

"City to finalize tax proposals" (Star-Advertiser, Nov. 2) reveals stunningly unfair proposals.

In its zeal to increase property tax revenue for city coffers, the proposals of the city Real Property Tax Advisory Commission do not ensure all Honolulu citizens pay their fair share for cityservices rendered.

The commission recommends that newly designated historic residentialhomes would pay 50 percent of their assessed value in taxes. What "new"historic homes are there going to be? Most historic homes arevalued at more than $1 million, yet pay $300 a year in taxes, saving at least $3,000a year. There are more than 6,000 Department of Hawaiian Home Lands homes receiving city services that pay only $300 a year, a pittance of the cost of those services to thecity.

If the city wants to be fair, all of the $300-tax homes should be required to pay their fair share.

Mary Monohon
Kailua

Younger generation needs a chance, too

I can’t understand why any older person would take issue with David Shapiro’s views on today’s youth ("Elders’ plush world comes at expense of youths’ future," Star-Advertiser, Volcanic Ash, Nov. 2).

I don’t see where he is saying that they will "absolutely" do better, but he is hopeful, as am I. I think he was trying to stress that today’s youth should get what the older generation had — a chance. How else are you going to prove your worth? The young generation of today has a lot going for it, in spite of some serious mistakes from another generation.

I am a senior with the benefits of Social Security and Medicare. Am I grateful for what I’m entitled to? You bet. Do I want even more than what I may be entitled to if it takes away from young people? Absolutely not.

The younger generation deserves its moment in the sun. We had ours, and what we did with it is our legacy. Wisdom should come with age, but sadly, sometimes age comes all alone.

Merle Iseke
Waipahu

FROM THE FORUM

Readers of the Star-Advertiser’s online edition can respond to stories posted there. The following are some of those. Instead of names, pseudonyms are generally used online. They have been removed.

“Shooter wins his appeal of 2011 conviction,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 3:

>> How much will this newest bungle cost taxpayers? There is no accountability for any of the prosecutors.

>> Deputy prosecuting attorneys need to undergo more training to not misstate the law. Only the judge should be allowed to state what the law is, not the prosecutor. 

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“Home hit by fire was opened to others,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 3:

>> Although a disaster displacing over 25 people, it’s great hearing there are people like Lahanitani Tongi in this world. Opening his doors to help people who needed help, giving them temporary shelter. The Tongis gave up their privacy for others.

>> Mr. Tongi did not own that house, he rented it. Housing costs in Kaimuki are high. The other family was probably helping out with the rent. How would you like to live next to a house with 625 feet of living space and 25 people living in it?

>> Well, it’s better than living next to 25 peeps who are living on the sidewalk in front of your house. I give Mr. Tongi some credit — he does more than our politicians who only talk and get their backers to wave signs along the side of the road.

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“$32 million labor pact for UH faculty union gets governor’s signature,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 4:

>> Just when I thought Gov. Neil Abercrombie would ride off into the sunset — leaving this 40-years-in-the-making decision to his heir apparent Ige — he does this a day before the gubernatorial election and a year before the current contract expires. A lame-duck governor he ain’t. I gotta admit, I never saw that coming.

>> I have to say this move was totally predictable. The University of Hawaii is an out-of-control spending debacle, and Abercrombie’s drive to stick it to the taxpayers is the same as any other Demo-crat.

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“High court allows state to cut health coverage for noncitizens,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 4:

>> It’s about time. Hawaii taxpayers paying for free medical for 13,700 Micronesians? Give us all a break.

>> Finally, common sense prevails. Next cut the welfare benefits and encourage them to go back home. Hawaii needs to be unfriendly to all immigrants. If you don’t have the money to live here, then don’t come and be a burden to the rest of us.

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“Hawaii sets new low in voter turnout,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 5:

>> I actually see this as a good thing. Quality over quantity. People should not be forced to vote, if they aren’t passionate and don’t know what they’re doing or voting for. 

>> This state is so totally controlled by the unions and the Democratic Party that it’s not surprising that many people have given up on the possibility of change. 

>> Tuesday is usually an errand day for me, when I can drive around during late morning, making multiple stops with very little traffic and no crowds. Yesterday was an exception. After voting, I went to drop off bottles at the recycle center and it was so mobbed, I didn’t even pull in. I went to Longs and couldn’t get a parking space for 10 minutes. I drove to the airport to pick up a friend, and the traffic was 3 p.m.-heavy. I stopped at Costco Iwilei on the way back to fill gas, but it was gridlock, so I drove right by. Dropping my friend off in Waikiki took a half-hour because of traffic. The only place that wasn’t crowded was the school where I cast my ballot. I was in and out in five minutes.

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“Ozawa wins seat on City Council by 47 votes,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 5:

>> I don’t live in this district but was watching the race because it was so close. Wow, just goes to show that every vote really does count.

>> Now that Trevor Ozawa has won, hopefully he will stay in place for the next four years, unlike the previous two Councilmembers for the district, Charles Djou and Stanley Chang.

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“$5.2M sought for center’s design,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 6:

>> $10.5 million for the design phase? The bulk of the construction cost 

($39 million) is expected to be picked up by the Legislature? You’re joking, right?

>> The bulk of the construction costs is expected to be picked up by the Legislature? Make that taxpayers.

>> And we still have the Obama library the Democrats at UH want to build.

>> Jennifer Sabas, the late senator’s longtime chief of staff and now director of the Daniel K. Inouye Institute, said private funds will be used to pay for “the nice-to-haves.” If that is true, private funds should be used for the entire project because the entire facility will be nice to have and not need to have.