Hawaiians deserve DHHL housing credits

It’s ridiculous that the Star-Advertiser suggests dismantling the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ Affordable Credits Program because it’s robbing Peter to pay Paul ("End DHHL program for housing credits," Star-Advertiser, Our View, Oct. 28). Where do you think Peter’s lands came from? Paul was robbed!

When did Hawaiians stop being part of the "public"? The Star-Advertiser shouldn’t be pitting Hawaiians against the rest of the public with such a demeaning and insensitive argument.

Have we all conveniently forgotten that the state has a fiduciary responsibility and legal obligation to assist its indigenous people as part of its state Constitution and compact with the federal government? Our Hawaii Supreme Court has already ruled that the state has failed to properly fund DHHL’s operational and administrative expenses, a state program with more than 26,000 people on its waiting list.

The Legislature should not only adequately fund DHHL but make permanent the DHHL housing credits program. Just as important, Hawaiians should get out and vote for those candidates who will support what’s pono.

Kali Watson
Executive director, Hawaiian Community Development

Retirement age for judges unnecessary

Voters will soon decide whether the mandatory retirement age for Hawaii state court judges should increase from 70 years of age to 80. Some believe that "new blood" in the courts should be encouraged by keeping the current limit.

This overlooks the fact that many judges are fully capable of serving past 70. Federal courts and several states impose no such age limits. Hawaii state judges also undergo periodic review for retention.

Hawaii’s current age cap discourages experienced applicants in their early 60s from applying for judicial vacancies, given their belief that they would be viewed as having to retire after a few years.

The Hawaii Chapter of the American Judicature Society recently reported that "most state judges retire well before age 70." The current limit does not really increase "new blood." But by increasing the age limit, we can keep experienced judges and also encourage experienced applicants to apply.

James H. Pietsch
Professor of law, William S. Richardson School of Law Director, UH Elder Law Program

Djou represents mainland GOP values

I saw an ad on TV in which Charles Djou proudly claimed he had never voted for a tax increase.

Republicans rarely do. They don’t seem to understand that taxes are the price we pay to live in a civilized society. What Republicans have no problem with is blowing our budget on the military-industrial complex, needless wars, unfunded tax breaks for our wealthiest citizens and blackmailing the nation by shutting down our government when they don’t get their way.

Please don’t be fooled into thinking Charles Djou is any different than mainland Republicans. The tea party is the tail that wags the Republican dog.

Kevin Batey
Kailua

Djou will work for all of Hawaii’s people

A few years ago, when Charles Djou was still in Congress and running for re-election, I attended one of his meetings.

He spoke for a short time, then accepted questions and answered each question offered directly and without a campaign speech. At the end, he told us to email any unanswered query to his Washington office and it would be answered.

When I got home I sent off a question. Within 24 hours I received a complete answer and without any campaign rhetoric. That was when I became a Djou fan and, by absentee ballot, he already has my vote.

We need someone like Charles Djou who will not fight (so far it has got us nowhere) but will work his okole off for me and all of Hawaii’s people.

Arg Bacon
Kahala

King Street project not workable here

The myopic view of the city’s new bike path along South King Street does not serve the greater good of the community.

What it has done, however, is create a parking lot along the adjacent lanes of traffic that will surely worsen as vehicles needing to turn left dangerously navigate around the parked cars, bikes and mopeds.

This concept may have worked in other cities, but this does not mean that it is suited for Honolulu.

There are differences in automotive and cycle density, traffic patterns, destinations adjacent to the route and, quite frankly, just the way we drive.

If this is truly a pilot project and not cast in stone, then why didn’t the city stop at Keeaumoku Street to mitigate costs instead of completing the entire route? I didn’t know we had so much in our coffers.

Brian Kimata
Manoa

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.

"Djou pushes clean-elections pledge," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 26:

>> Let’s revisit this topic after the election. For now, let’s see it for what it is — a last-minute red herring that’s minimally relevant to either the important issues or the candidates.

>> While the Common Cause objective is laudable, their solution penalizes the candidate who has less campaign funds.

>> Djou: A man of innovation and ideas as illustrated in the article. Takai: Not even man enough to answer Djou.

——

"Anti-GMO initiative further splits Maui," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 27:

>> From what I hear, 80 percent of all the produce we eat is GMO. This should be about what pesticides are being used and labeling.

>> Have you ever been on or near farms before GMOs? They were sprayed or crop-dusted just as much, if not more.

>> Our elected officials should pass laws that protect us and guarantee the safety of these practices with independent research.

——

"Hawaii noted for its lack of political engagement," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 28:

>> One-party rule, candidates who run unopposed, elections effectively decided in the primaries, non-responsive or lethargic politicians to the electorate and a tsunami of cash by the politically connected 1 percent to get what and who they want — it should be no surprise that Hawaii voters are skewed toward apathy.

>> But Hawaii always has been a one-party state, for the most part. Fifty years before the Democrats took over, the Republicans ruled. Today the problem lies with Republicans who have abandoned their traditional positions and are only interested in welfare for the rich.

>> I think both parties should disband and let the people make a choice on the candidates out there who want a chance to compete. Unfortunately, in the real world that won’t happen; too much money, power and corruption in both parties to allow that.

——

"Barrel of cannon is found in luggage at Maui airport," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 28:

>> How stupid is the TSA? Like that antique barrel posed any sort of threat to the flight?

>> It’s a good idea to give the TSA agents or the airline a heads-up that you are checking in such an item.

——

"Arnold let go," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 28:

>> Doesn’t the public have a right to know what happened since it is taxpayer money funding (Gib) Arnold’s contract?

>> Big mistake. Coach Arnold is a good college basketball coach. To let him go before the investigation is complete is a shame.

>> Give the UH administrators credit for doing the right thing with the NCAA. They could’ve looked the other way like the North Carolina academic scam.

——

"Debunking attacks," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 30:

>> Enough is enough! Just vote with your conscience and intelligence for the candidate of whom you think would do a good job for Hawaii! Don’t let the media or outsiders influence your vote!

>> This is the problem with the voting populace. Not enough fact-checking before they start voicing their incorrect opinion.

>> This article sheds truth and exposes the extent to which some will stoop to win.

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"Families evicted from Hawaiian homestead land," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 30:

>> The land should be used for housing for the beneficiaries. The entire mess at DHHL needs to end soon.

>> The Correa brothers lost their permit for the property in 2009. What took the state so long to evict them? 

>> Taking in strays and unwanted pets tells me this guy is big-hearted. The condition of the farm tells me he respects the aina. Too bad his situation tells me that he is poor and will not be able to continue his mission.

——

"State count on the rise amid nationwide decline," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 31:

>> We need to stop showing so much aloha to these newly arrived homeless from the mainland. We don’t want them here.

>> Take a walk anywhere in Waikiki, downtown and especially around the homeless encampments along the Leeward coast and you’ll realize that the vast majority of our homeless population are local residents.

>> I don’t know about Leeward so you may be correct there. With respect to downtown, Kakaako and Waikiki it appears that 1 out of 6 may be local. The rest are mainland chronics.