President Donald Trump’s dangerous executive orders on immigration and refugees place appalling restrictions on immigrants, refugees and Muslim communities.
We applaud the recent efforts of Hawaii Attorney General Douglas Chin to fight back against this illegal targeting and discrimination. We know Chin stands in solidarity with us and our partners to ensure that immigrants are safe and supported in Hawaii and across the country.
The Planned Parenthood community is made up of people from all walks of life and we are proud to provide high-quality care to everyone regardless of faith, country of origin, immigrant or refugee status, or to those who may otherwise have nowhere else to turn for health care.
An attack on immigrants and refugees is an attack on our people and we will stand strong against all attempts to deny them the right to live and prosper together as families in the same country.
Laurie Field
Hawaii legislative director, Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii
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Couldn’t AG use state’s attorneys?
Until state Attorney General Douglas Chin announced that he was budgeting $150,000 for an East Coast law firm to file a suit of dubious value to Hawaii, I hadn’t realized that our state faced a serious shortage of attorneys. Is the governor aware of this problem?
Rep. Bob McDermott
R, Ewa Beach, Iroquois Point
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Waikiki group would restrict local access
A nonprofit association wants to oversee transportation issues on public roads in Waikiki (“Waikiki parking might entail more fees and fewer free spots,” Star-Advertiser, March 7).
The Waikiki Transportation Management Association, which is overseen by the Waikiki Improvement Association, wants to amend city laws to create a nonprofit Waikiki special improvement district, with a board that has the power to manage outside of city oversight.
Our elected city officials are considering having someone else do the job we elected them to do — manage our public roads. I have no doubt that a private nonprofit organization can do a better job than the city managing our roads, but this is a slippery slope for the general public.
While Waikiki residents would pay less for prepaid parking, local residents’ meter-parking fees would double. Local residents visiting Waikiki would pay substantially more for parking, pushing them out.
Once again, residents wishing to visit our public beaches in Waikiki would pay more to enjoy our home. For privatization to work, it must work for everyone.
Bruce Black
Diamond Head
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Gun owners have due process rights
Kim Osborn Mullen validated and encapsulated the National Rifle Association’s opposition to Senate Bill 898 by saying it “would allow police to confiscate weapons from suspects” (“NRA’s opposition to bill plainly wrong,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, March 13).
The Supreme Court has validated that all 10 amendments in the Bill of Rights protect individual rights of Americans, including the right to keep and bear arms. Although there are reasonable limits to the exercise of our rights, they cannot be taken away without due process.
The NRA is all for keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous people. It is only asking that gun owners are afforded meaningful due process before their Second Amendment rights are taken away. SB 898 does not do that.
Rhoads Stevens
Hawaii Kai
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Tax-return bill won’t survive legal test
The Star-Advertiser reported a summary of bills that were passing or failing to pass in the current legislative session (“How major bills fared at the Capitol,” March 12).
Among the bills advancing was one that would require candidates for president and vice president of the United States to disclose their tax returns in order to get the state’s electoral votes. Well, pardon me, but the requirements for these offices are established by the Constitution of the United States. A single state operating on its own cannot change these requirements.
A state could initiate a constitutional amendment to accomplish what they are trying to do, but this is a long and arduous journey requiring participation by many other states. If the bill is passed by the Legislature and signed into law by the governor, it would be unconstitutional from the get-go.
What a waste of time and money. By the way, aren’t most of our legislators lawyers? They should know better.
Jim Pollock
Kaneohe
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Honolulu Festival fireworks beautiful
Mahalo to those people responsible for Sunday evening’s fireworks display off Waikiki. It was one of the most beautiful displays I have ever seen.
Steve Miller
Makiki
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Meals on Wheels delicious, nutritious
Delightful surprise — this was my reaction after being a newbie recipient of the Lanakila Meals on Wheels program for a week. The food is not only good; it is great.
I have turned my stove into a planter, because cooking has become tiring as I age. I signed up for meals, expecting watery mashed potatoes, unidentifiable gravy and mystery meat.
Instead, I feasted on fresh island veggies, real mashed potatoes or brown rice, and identifiable meat done with a chef’s touch. Our multicultural population is reflected in the recipes, with shoyu chicken, beef teriyaki, roast turkey with stuffing and more. We even have mainland haole food for me: macaroni and beef in a terrific tomato sauce.
The filling meals are designed by a dietitian to meet my needs, and the calorie count is substantial. My friends and neighbors volunteer to distribute and hand out the meals.
I took care of other people for many years. It is really nice to have others take care of me.
Beverly Kai
Kakaako
