Rules will put more people on streets

The imposition of new regulations on homeless shelters by the state Department of Human Services will directly cause additional homelessness (“Shelter in Waipahu to close over state’s new homeless rules,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 20).

It will cause shelters like Waipahu Lighthouse and others to close, eliminating up to 662 beds and putting many people out on the street again.

Most are in the shelters precisely because there is a scarcity of affordable housing. Our government should focus on this: Hawaii is the least affordable state to rent and accordingly has the highest national per capita homeless rate.

Shelters or even tent cities can serve as precursors to successful Housing First programs that have saved significant taxpayer funds by reducing emergency health care, hospitalizations and police calls. “Compassionate disruption” should not be forced on sheltered homeless. Shelters should be exempted from emptying people out in the street again to find affordable housing that scarcely exists.

John Nakao

Ala Moana

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Aid in dying should be an option here

I was delighted to see the commentary written by four recent Hawaii governors regarding a subject that is near and dear to my heart: aid in dying (“Allowing life-ending medication is a compassionate choice,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Dec. 15).

The time has come for Hawaii to step up and enact legislation in 2017 that offers legal options for those who are terminally ill to reduce their suffering.

Compassion & Choices Hawaii has reported research that shows that 80 percent of Hawaii voters believe a medical aid-in-dying option should be available, and 94 percent of voters agree that the decision of a terminally ill person to request medication to bring about his or her death is a personal decision and not a government decision.

Six other states have paved the way: California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Vermont and Colorado. Let’s get on board.

Angela Posatiere

Kailua

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Trump not a person to invite to dinner

Decent Americans do support the president-elect’s office, but I’m sure Richard Smylie will understand if some of us have problems accepting the person who is our president-elect (“We should support the president-elect,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Dec. 23).

After such an outrageous campaign, in which Donald Trump insulted and offended so many in so many different ways, it is very difficult for some of us even to relate to him as a person.

Regardless of his politics, wealth or religion, I would never associate myself with such a rude, insensitive person. We would never have him to dinner. We avoid people like him.

It’s a little bit like having a loud, unruly neighbor move in next door. We do what all decent people do. We do the best we can and hope for the best.

Mark Yasuhara

Aiea

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Trump’s conflicts too big to ignore

President-elect Donald Trump has a conflict-of-interest problem. Most politicians do. But conflicts are a question of degree — some are a problem and some are not.

The difficulty here is that first, Trump owns a closely held corporation in which he is more or less the alter ego of the business; and second, the scope of the American president’s jurisdiction is broad.

Plus, a big part of his business is licensing his name and identity for marketing.

Maybe he eventually resigns and throws the big job to Vice President-elect Mike Pence, but really, I’m all done making predictions in this election cycle.

Lloyd Lim

Makiki

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George Will wrong on Electoral College

I had always thought that intelligence-wise, George Will was a step above Cal Thomas and Ben Shapiro. However, his Dec. 18 column was a weak and insipid defense of the antiquated Electoral College (“Don’t blame excellent electoral vote system in U.S.,” Star-Advertiser). His alleged proof that the College should be retained was that in several elections the eventual winner won with less than 50 percent of the popular vote.

So what? Each man won more votes than any of his challengers.

That’s called winning in every election in this country, from school board to U.S. Senate — except for the president of the United States.

The totally indisputable fact is that Hillary Clinton won many, many more votes from the citizens of this nation. And it really doesn’t matter if the voters live in California or Texas. Each vote should count. Period.

Better one should heed the words of intelligent columnists like Paul Krugman for a more thoughtful analysis, on the same editorial page.

Michael Mills

Ewa Beach

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Tom Moffatt gave much to music lovers

Concert promoter Tom Moffatt provided me and my friends and family an incredible experience at The Rolling Stones concert at Aloha Stadium in the 1990s.

It was sad to hear of his passing (“Tom Moffatt has left the building,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 14).

Without Tom we lack an advocate for the magic of music. Tom kept us on the globe. Who will replace him?

John F. McGrady

Waikiki

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A gift of empathy perfect for holidays

Kudos to the Windward United Church of Christ for hosting a Blue Christmas service last week.

Having suffered a deeply personal loss this year, I appreciated the opportunity to remember and reflect and sit with my grief.

We all know people whose lives are touched by sadness during this season.

Parties and festivities can be exhausting, especially if one feels obligated to be cheerful.

Consider offering a gift of empathy and understanding, wrapped in a hug.

It may soothe their souls, and they won’t have to brave the madness of the malls on Dec. 26 to take it back.

Jenni Cooney

Hawaii Kai