Tax pensioners to help system

Let’s get real about unfunded pensions (“Nest egg shortfall tops $12 billion,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 10).

Former Gov. Neil Abercrombie proposed taxing pensions above $37,500 per person. This wouldn’t have touched mean pensions of newly retired teachers, for example, or most other retirees. Nevertheless, Gov. David Ige led a mutiny, largely on the principle that even the richest pensions, from in or out of state, should contribute zero in state income taxes despite the huge shortfalls. Since then the state has proposed more regressive tax burdens on the backs of those who will never see a pension and didn’t create this problem.

Ige comes from a great local pedigree of service and deserves credit for some of his fiscal prudence. However, to push regressive taxation and fees onto Hawaii families while pensioners aren’t asked to help solve their shortfall mimics the ideals of an old plantation more than the democratic revolution.

Real pain and stress are caused by such divisive and unfair tax policies.

Daniel Laraway

Kapahulu

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HPD commission acted hastily

The Honolulu Police Commission made a very premature decision to vet a retirement package that seems to generously reward our police chief, who now is heavily embroiled in a nationally significant federal corruption investigation by the FBI (“Honolulu Police Chief Kealoha to retire,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 6).

Why in the world would they not wait for this entire, very complex legal and financial situation to be resolved in the courts?

Too little, too late in this case has become too much and too soon.

Bob Vieira

Pauoa Valley

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Kealoha should retire, or be fired

The Honolulu Police Commission is making a mess of terminating Chief Louis Kealoha. What is this about a buyout? He’s not a sports coach or private company CEO. The commission should inform Kealoha that he has two options — retire or be fired.

Don’t waste any more taxpayer money on this ridiculous situation.

As a retired HPD officer, I am disgusted at how this has affected the department and having to explain to community members how this could happen. He has involved other employees who are now in jeopardy of criminal prosecution.

Retire or be fired — it’s as simple as that.

Gregory A. Poole

Mililani

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Commission must explain its actions

I am concerned over reports that the Honolulu Police Commission will give the retiring police chief, Louis Kealoha, a $260,000 payout upon his departure.

I find it absurd that the commission feels it is in any way, shape or form appropriate or fair to the taxpaying citizens of Honolulu to pay off Kealoha.

My husband was in law enforcement for 30 years. He was held to a higher standard and swore an oath to uphold the law, not break it, as is every single law-enforcement officer in this country.

The chief is retiring of his own accord, under very questionable legal circumstances.

What a disgrace the commission chairman is, to continue to refuse to answer questions.

The commission owes an explanation to the people of Honolulu as to how it came to this payout decision.

The City Council should investigate this gift to the chief. We the people deserve a voice and answers.

Kathryn Woody

Hawaii Kai

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Hawaii GOP goes to Washington

The peaceful exchange of power is our heritage in the United States.

This week, Donald J. Trump will be inaugurated as president, with former presidents in attendance and thousands of supporters watching from the Capitol. Huge crowds are expected to witness this ceremony.

Many of us from Hawaii are going to attend the ceremonies and events, hopefully peacefully and safely.

Other events are taking place during the week. A welcoming evening of music, a parade and wreath-laying at Arlington. A national prayer service the day after the swearing-in.

Having gone to the inauguration in 2001, I shared in the joy of those attending.

This time, the supporters are even more excited and will fill the city. More than $90 million has been raised to defer taxpayer cost.

Our nation anticipates President Trump will act quickly, with the GOP-led Congress in step, to reform many laws to make America great — again.

Warner Kimo Sutton

Team Trump Hawaii

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Trump himself doubted Obama

It is the height of hypocrisy for President-elect Donald Trump to attack U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., for casting doubt on the legitimacy of Trump’s presidency when, for nearly eight years, Trump was one of the country’s lead “birthers,” calling into doubt the legitimacy of President Barack Obama’s presidency.

Tony Turbeville

Makiki