Condo gets a pass but elderly couple doesn’t 

Isn’t it ironic how  some rules can be altered and others not ("Care home measure is deferred," Star-Advertiser, May 5)?

We can make major exceptions to regulations to allow a developer to build a McCully condominium project that goes against many zoning regulations ("Builder, Council bargain on tower," Star-Advertiser, May 4), while on the other hand, it impossible to make an exception to a rule in order to allow an elderly couple to live together.

It says something about our value system.

Christine Urban
Moiliili

Boxing fans would agree with headline

In response to "Boxing photo sends wrong message" (Star-Advertiser, Letters, May 5):

First, I would like to say that as a newspaper reader, I believe front-page stories should be determined by how important the news is to the readers and society. Thus, disheartening, brutal or disturbing images from war zones may appear on the front page.

Second, I believe boxing is a great sport and a "sweet science." All boxers spend countless hours on gym training, roadwork, sparring and weight control. 

Professional boxers must pass tests, and amateur boxers must obtain permission to fight. 

Both professional and amateur bouts are sanctioned by boxing commissions, so there are rules and regulations to follow.

The match between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, who were finally in the ring on May 2, was definitely the "fight of the century."

I believe many boxing fans in the islands appreciated the headline ("Fight of the Century: ‘Money’ in the bank," Star-Advertiser, May 3).

Yukari Sato
Hahaione Valley

Non-Oahu legislators get to hike Oahu taxes

The Legislature has approved an extension of the rail tax for another five years. The people of Hawaii need to make a change if they ever hope to prevent this temporary tax from becoming permanent.

In the Senate, the vote went 21 in favor of the act with only four opposing. Those four senators in opposition believe in the integrity owed to their constituencies. Why are state senators who do not represent taxpayers on Oahu being allowed to vote for taxing people on Oahu?

With this measure, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation and the state are hoping to raise an estimated $1.8 billion to cover the financial mistakes of the disastrous and still financially uncertain total for the state rail. If Mayor Kirk Caldwell had his way, taxpayers would be paying this "temporary tax" for at least 25 more years instead of five years.

How many more pet projects must we pay for until we’re completely sunk and can’t afford to keep anything running?

Alan Yim
Vice chairman, Libertarian Party of Oahu

Dog-and-pony show by mayor getting old

My championing of the sit-lie bills has come a end. I am now left feeling bewildered by the mayor’s lack of action to house the homeless.

Sure, a few are in shelters, but the number of homeless is growing faster than his meager accomplishments can keep up with. 

It appears the mayor is just putting on a public-relations show for his looming re-election campaign.

What does it take to find some lots, tents, showers and portable bathrooms? A group of local elementary school kids could accomplish results quicker and without expecting bragging rights.

This continued dog-and-pony show by the city is a bit old already. It’s a shame. I’m at a loss for any more words. 

Dave Moskowitz
Waikiki

Homeless are toying with disease outbreak

My heart goes out to the unfortunate homeless who are encamped along the Kapalama canal, but I see no excuse for the trash and opala they have allowed to collect along the banks of the canal ("’We don’t mean to be a burden,’ homeless say," Star-Advertiser, May 6).

 It makes me wonder if they are also using the canal for their bathroom. Who are we kidding — of course they are. Auwe!

If I were in the same position and allowed to camp for free on city land, I would do my best to keep my surrounding area as litter- and disease-free as possible. Show some respect for the aina. Are they waiting for city crews to come along and clean up their trash on my dime?

If the city is allowing them to stay there, and others have to pay for it, at least install portable toilets and trash cans. 

Are we waiting for an outbreak of cholera?

David Kalin
Kaneohe

Mauna Kea sacred but we must move on

So much is written and spoken about climate change, but what about the change to our way of life?  

As we go forward in time, we find our lives so different from the lives of our ancestors. High technology has taken over and everything is moving very quickly. We must move with it or be left behind.

Today, much is being done in perpetuating our Hawaiian culture. I believe Mauna Kea is sacred to our culture, but we must move on. 

The ancient ones used the stars in the heavens to navigate the vast Pacific Ocean, exploring the unknown, settling on these islands we all call home. 

Locating the telescope atop the sacred Mauna Kea will be "pono," which I truly believe as a Hawaiian who continues to be responsive to every duty of citizenship.

Patrick K. Keli’inui
Kapahulu

TMT could achieve its goals in Chile

The Thirty Meter Telescope is not culture versus science — it’s culture versus concrete, about to be poured on one of the planet’s most revered landscapes.

 If the courts rule against TMT, will there be enough money to remove that concrete?

The University of Hawaii has conflicting goals: building observatories and protecting Mauna Kea.

Could Mauna Kea become a national park, and later be given to a restored nation of Hawaii? Or could the state Department of Land and Natural Resources care for the mountain, using observatory fees?

 The protectors of Mauna Kea are making history, both for what they are doing, and how. 

What they are doing is causing power and money to stop and listen. How they are doing this is through aloha, striving to create deep and lasting change by connecting everything and everyone.

 TMT could accomplish most of its goals in a less controversial place — Chile.

Martha "Cory" Harden
Hilo

Developments are way to generate taxes

It does not matter that there is opposition to Ho’opili or any other housing development on Oahu. This includes high rises in Kakaako, McCully, Pearlridge or any other area.

The argument is that Oahu needs affordable housing. True enough, but most of that "affordable housing" is not that affordable, nor is that the primary reason. 

The construction industry and unions are a large part of it. Jobs, they say. True enough. But in bed with them are our city and state governments — the same governments that must approve these projects. 

Think about this: How much does farmland in Ho’opili pay in city property taxes compared to what homes and businesses built on those lands will bring in property taxes?

 Multiply this by farmland in Waipio and an empty drive-in near Pearlridge, plus the density of condos versus single-family homes in McCully or light industrial parcels in Kakaako, and it is clear why approvals are inevitable.

Peter Chisteckoff
Mililani Mauka

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.

“Feds ask for input on plan for changes at Kalaupapa,” Star-Advertiser, May 4:

>>  Its emphasis should be as a national historic park and landmark and not make it a tourist attraction, but a learning opportunity. Leave it like it is. 

>> This is Hawaiian land, not park land. There are many Hawaiian organizations that would gladly take over and welcome visitors, too.

———

“Restaurant Row to lose tenants Vino and Hiroshi,” Star-Advertiser, May 4:

>> Disappointing to see DK close these restaurants down. We’ll miss the great food and service.

>> The locally sourced menu evenings at Hiroshi were all memorable. And the Italian-style tapas at Vino were excellent, along with the wine pairings. We hope they reopen in a better location.

———

“Care home measure is deferred,” Star-Advertiser, May 5:

>> I’m ashamed and angry with our lawmakers in not being able to figure out a way to allow the Kawamotos to live out the rest of their lives together. 

>> They can pass a rail tax and other self-serving bills but they can’t do something as humane as this? No wonder people have no confidence in our Legislature.

>> So much for the “Aloha State.”

———

“City housing department revisited,” Star-Advertiser, May 5:

>> I’m not for this. The city can’t even finalize its TOD (transit-oriented development) policies. It’s not about having the manpower or spending more money on a department, with all the secretaries and sub-appointees; it’s about doing something. Just do it. 

>> We already got rid of this agency and function. It is the state’s responsibility.

———

“‘We don’t mean to be a burden,’ homeless say,” Star-Advertiser, May 6:

>> Right. These homeless should clean up their trash in their backyard. She’s all mouth about not wanting to be an eyesore.

>> This is a public health problem and deserves emergency-status attention. The City Council lacks the will or the intelligence to do anything and the Legislature has failed. This growing nightmare, along with rail, may bring down the political house.

>> Whatever happened to the temporary shelter the city was going to provide for the homeless?

>> They’re too busy making bike lanes for the yuppies. A lot of homeless could be helped for the cost of bike lanes.

———

“Kenoi shuts down his campaign group,” Star-Advertiser, May 6:

>> Losing someone who had so much potential only to disappoint many of us who had hope begs the question: Is there anyone out there who can lead us out of the political sty this state is in?

>> If Hawaii island Mayor Billy Kenoi will not do the honorable thing by resigning, he should be removed.

>> Don’t count Billy Kenoi out just yet. He could pull a Marion Barry by staging a comeback and win.

———

“Legislators pass medical marijuana dispensary bill,” Star-Advertiser, May 7:

>> I applaud this Legislature for doing a good job and restoring some of my faith and trust in the Hawaii legislative system.

>> It’s about time. Fifteen years! I realize that things move slower in Hawaii, but 15 years is almost criminal. These legislators have nothing to be proud of.

>> Legalize it for everybody over the age of 21. With only medical marijuana legal, we have the ridiculous charade of people trying to come up with symptoms that qualify them and referring to the marijuana they use as medicine. It may be “medicine” for a few, but for the rest of us, it’s fun to use and does no harm. Why go through an elaborate pretense about it?

———

“Police officer to plead guilty in assault of 2 victims,” Star-Advertiser, May 7:

>> While I would like to think that the majority of Honolulu police officers are professionals, the number of incidents like this makes it harder to think that. I suspect this officer had been bullying people for years, that this was not an aberration, and that if the case were to go to trial, other victims would come forward. 

>> According to the article, the police officers went to the game room looking for a forgery suspect. Did they have a warrant to enter the gaming room?

>> I can’t believe this guy is still on the job, restricted duty or not. Just how serious a crime do you have to commit to get fired at HPD?  

>> Now comes the lawsuit that taxpayers will have to pay for.