Not all veterans treated poorly 

Adding to comments by Clyde Starbuck ("Doctors at Tripler among the best," Star-Advertiser, Letters, June 16), I am a 100 percent disabled U.S. Army retiree. 

After retirement I was given the privilege of selecting health care at Tripler Army Medical Center or at Spark Matsunaga VA Medical Center. I chose Tripler because, like Mr. Starbuck, I also have always received excellent care there.  

On two occasions when I was too ill to drive all the way to Tripler, I chose to go to the VA in Waipahu. Even though I did not have an appointment, my assigned physician on the first occasion was able to squeeze me in and provide treatment. On the second occasion, because of the heavy volume of patients, my doctor was unable to see me, but I was seen by a nurse.

As for my experience concerning treatment at the VA, it has all been positive. It saddens me to hear that other vets had to endure such long waits before treatment.

Hector Samarripa
Waianae

Democrats push residents away

A recent Forbes magazine article ranked the best and worst states in which to make a living.

The state of Washington was the best state. Hawaii was the worst.

Former Hawaii residents and those living here now shouldn’t be surprised by Forbes’ ranking. My son and his family knew that when they moved to Washington state a few years ago. The Democratic Party that controls our state government and Legislature has hit our pocketbooks constantly through the years. The cost of living here is very high.

Most local people can’t afford to own a home, much less the luxury towers for the wealthy approved by Democratic leaders.

Melvin Partido Sr.
Pearl City

Homelessness is an emergency

Homelessness in Hawaii should be seen as a dire emergency, and getting worse by the week. 

Many hundreds or more are homeless. A state of emergency should be declared, just as it would be after a massive, devastating hurricane or tsunami. The National Guard and the military could set up emergency shelters. An intensive, all-out effort would address the problem immediately.

In this period of low interest rates, let’s build entire small villages of shelter huts — small, inexpensive mini-shelters with waste removal, water and electricity, built in safe zones well away from the tourists and business centers, managed by volunteers and the residents themselves.

It would be far less expensive than losing half of our priceless tourist industry, and far more compassionate to those in need.

David B. Cannell
Waipahu

Hawaii attractive to the homeless

You can legislate against sleeping on the sidewalk, public urination and defecation. But being disheveled, ranting to yourself at the top of your lungs and emitting odors that would knock out someone wearing a gas mask are, unfortunately, civil rights.

I applaud the recent efforts and attention given by many to our local homeless problem. Cities that appear to have better managed this crisis have three things present: unforgiving weather, natural predators and hostility from residents.

Here, the weather is the finest in the world, there are no wild animals to worry about, and there is an abundance of aloha. Coupled with our very generous welfare system, it makes being homeless in Hawaii a wonderful staycation. 

Anyone making minimum wage should consider this wonderful option. If my electric and water bill keep rising, I may soon be signing up, too. So we should get used to our unsightly neighbors — and the many more to come.

Mark Ida
Salt Lake