I find it very disturbing that after having an event for 21 years, it now becomes unethical (“Chun Oakland in danger of falling over ethics cliff,” Star-Advertiser, On Politics, Aug. 25).

Does anyone think for even just a minute how much effort has gone into promoting Hawaii Children and Youth Day and how much good it has done?

I realize rules and laws change so we all have to adapt to them, which I know state Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland is doing, but to judge her ethics in a public forum is just not fair to her.

I realize the article does not actually say she is doing something wrong but it certainly implies it.

My main concern is how we can take the efforts of people who are trying to have a positive influence on the lives of children and youth and treat it as waste, fraud, and abuse of government funds.

Look around and you will see a lot of government abuse for personal gain by our government system.

I know Chun Oakland works 20-hour days just so she can make a difference. She does not deserve to be treated this way.

Ken Takeya
Enchanted Lake

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Can Army help homeless vets?

Would it be possible to house our homeless veterans in empty rooms in barracks on military installations?

Even if two men could share a room, at least the homeless vets would have a roof over their heads, with facilities.

Perhaps they would even be allowed to eat in the base cafeteria.

Let’s all work together to solve the homeless problem on the island.

Wim Blees
Mililani

Homeless have basic needs, too

I have enjoyed the columns that Lee Cataluna has written about the homeless problem. They have provided valuable insight into this issue (“Homelessness problem besets Waipahu,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 16).

Based on her column regarding Waipahu Intermediate School, a priority should be to strategically locate public bathrooms, showers and laundromats in the areas most affected.

All of these could be placed in one structure and monitored by paid security guards and other employees.

This at least would allow homeless people to take care of basic needs.

Joyce A. Wright
Chinatown

Raw sewage not our only mess

I cannot understand for the life of me where the buck stops in this city.

The headline, “What a mess,” intrigued me (Star-Advertiser, Aug. 25). What is it this time?

There is no excuse for sewage pollution. Who is responsible for monitoring our shorelines, the quality of our water, with tourism being the mainstay of our state’s income?

Our “leaders” should be ashamed, if not on the road to indictment.

We need educated, akamai, not-on-the-take government to make decisions affecting our ohana, our visitors and our islands’ future.

The blatant corruption with rail finances, Kakaako developments and more housing in West Oahu is unacceptable. Our taxes need to be applied to our infrastructure now.

Immediately rethink all the expensive projects that do not benefit our local population and infrastructure, and hold our present leaders responsible for this mess. There is no excuse, ever.

City Environmental Services Director Lori Kahi- kina should be commend- ed for her honesty.

Mary J. Culvyhouse
Kaneohe

Keep thrill craft at safe distance

Apparently regulators believe that users of Jet Skis and WaveRunners need to be able to use water closer to shore at Keehi Lagoon, in view of beachgoers in case they get in trouble (“Keehi watercraft areas might shift,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 18).

Could regulators possibly be unaware that the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that in 2013, users of personal watercraft caused 36 fatalities and 601 injuries?

Statistics demonstrate that these numbers are on the rise. Thrill riders sometimes collide with others, including swimmers and paddlers, with tragic consequences.

Are regulators really suggesting that outrigger canoe racing, the state sport of Hawaii, and an interscholastic high school sport that entire families participate in, should move out of Keehi Lagoon? It would seem so, as it would be foolhardy to sanction thrill riding near paddlers.

Leonard Lepine
Kailua