Fellow taxpayer, when you read that the state has been named in another lawsuit due to child neglect or endangerment, just substitute your name in place of the “state” because you’re the one who will pay the settlement (“Aunt of girl who starved to death sues state,” Star-Advertiser, June 13).

I implore our state legislators to pass a law that extends litigation protection to the Department of Human Services/Child Welfare Services because it deserves the same protection as any person or agency that operates as a good Samaritan.

Much like a lifeguard who is not liable when he is unable to save the life of a drowning person, taxpayers, the state and the case worker should not be responsible for a child lost due to parental neglect.

If we are going to be held liable for every dysfunctional, irresponsible reprobate who becomes a parent, I suggest we just do away with the department altogether. That would eliminate any liability of the state and focus the blame on who is actually responsible — the parents and immediate family.

Jim Austin

Haleiwa

—

Writer wrong about Hawaiian values

It is incredible the outrageous statements made by Kenneth Conklin (“Correct some ‘Hawaiian values’,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, June 17).

The outrage begins when he puts Hawaiian religion and fascism in the same sentence. The spiritual connectedness to Earth (Hawaiian religion) and the principles of governmental control (fascism) are two opposing poles of thought, let alone an argument to justify “racial supremacy.”

The Kumulipo is a genealogical chant. His ridiculous interpretation of what is being taught in public schools is quite a stretch. The spiritual value of the relationship to the gods has no deviation that segregates one’s worth.

The comparison of Kamehameha Schools to segregated schools in the American South is invalid. There was no freedom of choice in the racism that created segregation. The intent of Kamehameha Schools is to educate Native Hawaiians, not segregate them.

Aloha is a concept of all-encompassing love and is not political. Hawaiians have been socially divided since the overthrow of our queen. The advent of blood quantum sociological limits is the reason for entitlement programs for Native Hawaiians, not the divisive white supremacy propaganda Conklin and this paper are choosing to share.

Let’s reject these types of thoughts.

Cy Kamuela Harris

Kaimuki

—

Waimanalo wants bus stops restored

Last month I wrote to ask who took away our crosswalks and flags. This time, they came back and took away our bus stops. What’s next? Our mailboxes?

Why in the world would government officials do this? To deprive our community of senior citizens, school kids and everyone else in this area who use the bus?

There wasn’t communication to our neighborhood on the reasons why. Is it because they think that we are stupid, and enjoy stepping all over us? It really angers me to see this happen.

I am so mad at how our elected officials are doing such a terrible job of running our state and city. Our roads are terrible and years ago they raised our taxes and fees to keep up with repairing our roads. I invite all of those responsible for this mess to take a ride on Kalanianaole Highway from Olomana Golf Course to Waima- nalo Beach Park and check the road. It’s a disgrace.

Abraham Aiona

Waimanalo

—

God didn’t appoint Trump, Sessions

President Donald Trump and his minions, Attorney General Jeff Sessions in particular, may have exposed themselves for what they actually believe.

They believe they are in their positions by divine authority. They can do no wrong. Sessions, a long-serving senator, devout Trumpist and now AG, used quotes from the Bible to say we must be blindly loyal to our government, insinuating it would be sinful to do otherwise. We should bow to their every whim. Pay our taxes. Trust them, they’ll take care of those kids.

Sorry, Sessions might have done well as a Taliban with his ability to twist a Bible, but this is America, and our Christian forefathers had their Boston Tea Party. They gave us freedom of speech and a few other freedoms as well. Because of them, Sessions and Trump are there to serve us; we are not here to grovel “by your leave.”

Maybe it’s time for another tea party.

Raymond Trombley

McCully-Moiliili

—

Hawaii should have single-payer care

According to Merrill Matthews, Vermont became the first state to pass single-payer health care in 2011, to cover all 620,000 Vermonters. But the governor abandoned the effort, claiming the needed tax increases were too large (“Single-payer care won’t pass muster in California or other states,” Star-Advertiser, June 11).”

Experts say a viable universal-care system requires a minimum population of 1 million. Vermont doesn’t have enough, but Hawaii does.

In the mid-2000s, the state Legislature had the Lewin Group study a Hawaii single-payer system giving Hawaii Medical Service Association and Kaiser to all Hawaii residents. It concluded Hawaii would save money.

Canadian Medicare costs half what we pay for health care, and patients don’t see a bill.

The health-care dollars from Hawaii’s single pool of 1 million residents would cover all medically necessary health care for everyone. Health-care taxes (instead of premiums) that the healthy 80 percent pay, but don’t use, stay in that huge single pool of money, covering the 20 percent who need more care, with money left over.

Renee Ing

Makiki