I would like to ask the City Council to direct the city Department of Planning and Permitting to publish a map of Oahu showing ADU (accessory dwelling unit)-eligible and non-eligible areas.

Five months after submitting plans for an ADU, we learned that our neighborhood sewer capacity triggered a rejection.

In an attempt to help with the housing shortage, we wanted to create a long-term, truly workforce affordable rental on our property. We spent nearly $10,000 on a contractor, draftsman, structural engineer, etc. — only to result in dashed hopes and financial loss.

We learned that if we called the same plan a recreation room and signed an affidavit that we would not rent it out, that would result in a permit. This loophole creates a whole new class of illegal rentals, which we cannot support.

If the mayor is serious about promoting ADUs, fix the infrastructure.

Kathee Hoover

Kalihi Valley

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GEMS’ dismal failure lacks accountability

The article, “Struggling state loan program cannibalizes successful initiative” (Star-Advertiser, May 16), should make taxpayers angry.

The Green Energy Market Securitization (GEMS) Program is an utter failure. Calling it “struggling” is disingenuous as, truth be told, it is dead in the water. Only $2.8 million out of $150 million loaned after four years and paying more in administrative costs ($2.9 million) than loans granted isn’t struggling; it is called failure.

In the real world, there would be a search for those responsible, especially those who failed to adjust the program as results never gained traction. But here in Workers’ Paradise, no one will be held accountable since the program was: (1) a government initiative, and (2) contained magic verbiage: “green energy” and “renewable.”

As the intent was good, Hawaii taxpayers will sigh, yawn, pay the bill and excuse failed leadership and management. Our reality? Government ineptitude, bureaucratic impediments, and dogma and ideology counting more than results.

Jim McDiarmid

Mililani

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President Lincoln also had rough start

President Donald Trump is having a real bumpy start his first months in office. Is this the worst start for any president?

Consider Abraham Lincoln, he came into power with only 40 percent of the popular vote, but handily defeated the three other candidates. By the time he took the oath of office on March 4, 1861, seven states from the south had seceded and the Confederate States of America was formed with Jefferson Davis as president. At least Trump hasn’t had any state leave yet.

By the time he was assassinated in April 1865, Lincoln had just won the war, and freed the slaves. Not bad for a very unpopular beginning.

Time will be the judge of Trump. Just remember, one of the most popular presidents at the time of his election ended his two terms with less than memorable results.

Sam Wallis

Hilo

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Start impeachment steps against Trump

It is now imperative that Congress initiate impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump. Apart from the political divisiveness paralyzing Congress, the recent revelations that a standing president has impeded an ongoing investigation (a federal crime) and leaked classified information to a foreign power (treason) must compel our elected representatives to fulfill their sworn duties to uphold the Constitution, which clearly states these acts are impeachable offenses.

Apart from Trump’s ignorance of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, his recent actions unquestionably reveal his ineptitude and incompetence, which pose a “clear and present danger” to our nation.

Mark Slovak

Manoa

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U.S. Justice lawyer singles out Islam

I find it extremely troublesome that acting Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall, in representing the U.S. Department of Justice before the three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, described President Donald Trump’s latest travel ban as an effort to improve vetting so as to detect Islamic terrorists (“Travel ban court case,” Star-Advertiser, May 16).

Why not improve vetting to detect any terrorists? Why single out practitioners of Islam?

There are terrorists around the world from many different religious groups. It appears from Wall’s statement that the travel ban is, in reality, a ban aimed at any practitioners of Islam, and is, therefore, unconstitutional.

If he had simply told the court that the ban was intended to improve vetting of terrorists, then it might have been OK. Unfortunately, he singled out Islam again.

So sad.

Patrick J. Luby

Kaneohe

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Rail silver lining that bad options untaken

The good news about the current status of the rail issue before the Legislature is that the Legislature did not choose between two bad options and therefore, there still is the opportunity to do rail in the correct and responsible manner.

Bob Crone

Kailua

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Recall that S.F.’s BART also criticized

Growing up and spending my first 47 years in the S.F. Bay Area, I witnessed the construction of, and rode, BART. The same antirail arguments were used there, as are being used here now.

For example: Areas that won’t receive initial service wonder why they should help foot the bill. In the end, BART expanded and continues to do so.

Honolulu wants to be considered a “big boy” city. Bite the bullet, and everyone get on board. Build the rail.

George Burge

Moiliili