‘Affordable housing’ is mere catch-phrase

I continue to read with bewilderment that our politicians continue to throw around the term, “affordable housing.” What exactly is that? Is it a subsidized $100 a month studio for a homeless family? Is it a $150,000 house for folks trying to get into a home? Not likely.

The developers aren’t going to give up that half-million dollars or more each, for construction of single-family homes. There isn’t now and never will be “affordable housing” on Oahu. The only real affordable housing is the free sidewalk that the homeless “rent” until they are forced to another location.

It’s a sad future for them, and a sad future for those who want but could never afford a home here. How many brilliant and talented minds does Hawaii lose each year to actual affordable housing on the mainland?

Many of us have caught on to this catch-phrase that sounds real good, but goes nowhere.

Jay Vinton

Foster Village

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Preserve resources today for future

Climate change, population growth and natural resource depletion are converging and will create tremendous challenges for future generations.

The next three years provide the last chance to limit global warming to safe limits in this century, according to United Nations scientists. Unless nations move before 2020 to cut their emissions more aggressively, the window of opportunity will close.

The UN also predicts the world’s population will hit 9 billion by 2050, requiring 70 percent more food production to feed everyone. That prediction will come sooner now that China’s 1-child policy has ended; 17.86 million children were born in China in 2016, an increase of 1.31 million from 2015. And that’s just China.

We are currently consuming “1.6 Earths” or 60 percent more resources than the Earth can naturally replenish. More people, more consumption. Shouldn’t the debate be how to provide future generations more opportunities for a life as we know it today?

Dan Nakasone

Wahiawa

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Fine those misusing service-animal label

Has anyone else noticed an increase in unruly, non-service animals inside theaters, restrooms, grocery stores, restaurants, buses and even airlines lately? There seems to be an increase in pets masquerading as “service animals” here.

Pet owners have found a loophole in the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. They use a fake identification for an “emotional support animal” (ESA), bogus certifications that are easily purchased online. Genuine ESA are restricted to fair housing laws and are not trained as service animals. The distinction is that service dogs are trained to do work, or perform a specific task for a disabled person.

Trained service animals are well-behaved and welcome everywhere. Pet owners who take advantage of the service animal status should be fined the same as non-disabled people who park in handicap stalls. Let’s create legislation to impose a $250 fine each time a non-service animal is falsely identified to gain entry into a restricted area.

Karyn Herrmann

Hawaii Kai

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Struggling caregivers need much support

Kathy Jaycox’s commentary speaks to an issue that confronts many families today and will be of increasing concern in the future (“It’s time, finally, to enact kupuna caregivers law,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, May 21). We applaud the efforts of the Legislature and eagerly await the signature of Gov. David Ige on House Bill 607.

We experienced that struggle of caring for aging parents. Our hearts go out to all those in our community who now face that same problem, who are desperately working to provide the love and care needed for their parents. This bill brings hope to those families. The anguished voices of caregivers will now be heard and addressed.

Deanna Espinas

Palolo Avenue

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Reinstate caregivers’ respite program

I applaud the Legislature for the kupuna caregivers bill to subsidize families $70 per day — but more importantly, the state should reinstate a program called The Caregiver’s Respite Program, which was defunded several years ago.

This program was a clearinghouse of sorts matching paid caregivers with families with limited resources. Most for-profit agencies charge families $30 or more hourly for work performed by hired caregivers, who get paid $10-$12 hourly. With the respite program, the family negotiates with the hired caregiver a pay that is equitable for both.

The $70-per-day subsidy from the state would pay only for a couple of hours if families hired from an agency. With the respite program, it would buy at least three to four hours. Day-care programs are the most affordable but not everyone is willing to go to daycare; most seniors would rather stay at home and only need a few hours of assistance.

Julie Chiya

Makiki