Age could be factor in some elections

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, 63, vs. U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, 41. State Sen. Donna Mercado Kim, 61, vs. state Rep. Mark Takai, 47.

Are Hawaii voters looking for a younger generation of politicians to represent Hawaii in Congress? Was age a factor in the U.S. Senate and U. S. House races in the Democratic Party?

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, 33, had more than 89,000 votes without signage in my community. Is U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, 66, next?

I would like to congratulate all candidates for running for public office, and their supporters. The most important thing for all candidates to remember is that it’s about giving Hawaii voters a choice.

After the primary election results, it was disappointing to hear the very emotional Kim saying she might step down as president of the state Senate. I think her announcement was based on emotions and not her intellectual senses.

I would say, chin up, Donna. I did after three second-place races. Finish your term as Senate president.

Johnnie-Mae L. Perry
Waianae

Show our aloha for Puna residents

Relief organizers: Do what you do so well. The rest of Hawaii was protected by Hawaii island. We should donate to help Puna get back to normal.

If you know who the looters are, turn them in. Authorities should deal harshly and swiftly with those who threaten workers trying to help. There’s no place for that kind of behavior in our islands. Let’s get back to being who we are — and should be.

Judy Melvin
Kailua

Control prices after natural disasters

I was disappointed by Paul Brewbaker’s comments in the Star-Advertiser advocating market pricing during a crisis ("State fields price-gouging complaints," Star-Advertiser, Aug. 12).

His view that prices should be allowed to rise with demand is inappropriate in an act-of-God crisis situation.

Excessive profiteering is regressive quite simply because it imposes a greater burden on the poor. When water sells for $25 a case, the rich can buy all the water they want while the poor must skimp to get what they can afford. Water and other basic food and supplies are not discretionary, but necessities for survival. You didn’t see a run on crab and foie gras — it was the necessities.

Limit, but don’t overcharge. An efficient market only works in an economy having normal market forces. I am not an economist, but my gut feeling is price gouging in a crisis is just wrong.

Bill Santos
Kaneohe

Next time, don’t buy bottled water

Now that we have bid aloha to Iselle and Julio, let’s revisit our preparedness. I saw so many people buying loads of bottled water. I shook my head, because I bought none. I trusted our city water and have been doing so for as long as I can remember.

There are two things wrong with bottled water. First, there is no need for it. Save your money for other things. Second, empty bottles are litter that we can do without on our small island.

So the next time we prepare for a hurricane, just load your containers and jugs with city water. Clean those jugs with some chlorine bleach and fill it up from the tap.

Rosita R. Sipirok-Siregar
Makakilo

Voters should have planned for storm

One can sympathize with those who were unable to vote because of the hurricane, especially on Hawaii island.

However, the question needs to be asked: Why didn’t those individuals who normally vote in elections use the various alternate methods to vote early? There was ample warning of the impending hurricane. Individuals should have asked themselves if they wanted to vote, and if so, have taken the necessary precautions and voted before the hurricane arrived.

This was not a catastrophic event that happened overnight, preventing individuals from voting if they really wanted to vote.

The old adage should apply: The early bird gets the worm.

John P. Gallagher
Ewa Beach

What’s the rush to vote in Puna?

Unfortunately, the timing of Hurricane Iselle couldn’t have come at a worse time. It hindered voter turnout, especially in the Puna District, which was devastated and left the results of the U.S. Senate race between U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz and U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa in limbo.

The chief elections officer has declared that the walk-in vote in Puna will occur on Friday. Why the rush? To quote Shakespeare, "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark."

Don’t you think a survey of the residents apropos of their needs is more important? Politics should be "of the people, by the people and for the people."

Obviously this is not the case, and it definitely will taint the election process and the winner of that senatorial contest.

Randall Ng
Kapahulu

City trash pickup should be fair

Trash pickup is a basic service that nearly all large municipalities provide to their taxpayers.

Since all residential properties are taxed at the same rate, why are multifamily housing owners being denied this basic service? Are they less deserving of city services than people who live in single-family homes?

It could be fair if the city gave a tax credit equal to what was spent for trash pickup annually, or a lower tax rate for multifamily housing, to make up for this financial inequity.

The mayor and City Council should readdress this issue as it appears discriminatory and perhaps illegal. Selectively deciding which residential taxpayers will get their trash picked up is no way to balance a budget. What is the next cut? No police or fire service if you don’t have a single-family home?

Candy Baker
Waikiki