The fire at the Marco Polo condominium tower that killed several people showed the failure of our government, both now and in 1971 when the tower was built.

Both the incompetent government and the greedy owners of high-rise buildings without sprinklers for fire protection are equally guilty.

Both the government and owners should be required to share equally in the costs of immediately installing fire sprinklers in buildings over three stories tall.

The government in Hawaii has failed miserably on this subject for far too long.

We should no longer let incompetence and greed endanger the lives of tenants.

Ron Dickson

Pearl City

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Condo owners won’t have any money left

I hope the mayor realizes that the dollars that condominium residents will have to pay to retrofit their units for sprinklers will be dollars that will not go into purchases of new furniture, televisions, cars, vacations, and other large purchases that help our economy and local businesses (“Mayor drafts bill on automatic sprinklers,” Star-Advertiser, July 18).

Richard Criley

Ala Moana

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Let condo owners govern themselves

It’s no surprise that the devastating fire at the Marco Polo tower (my sincere condolences to those affected) has given way to a call for sprinklers. Having worked in the industry, I admit to being on the fence about the matter.

The lifesaving factors are the definite plus, but the crux is the cost factor that so many will experience.

I can’t help but wonder when those in government will realize the impact of the laws they impose on their people.

Condo owners are required by law to maintain and operate their buildings under a budget, yet our government has difficulty in even setting one, let alone sticking to it.

Condo owners are required to pay county taxes like all other homeowners, yet they also must pay for refuse service, one of several county services that are paid for and not received.

It can’t be both ways. Either our government truly governs and serves all people, including condo owners, or they stop meddling in the self-governing aspects that condo owners maintain.

Michael Turman

Site manager, Ala Wai Plaza Skyrise

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Teachers need more than a higher wage

In response to Bruce Black’s letter (“Hawaii needs to pay its teachers enough,” Star-Advertiser, July 18), I would suggest the new superintendent use subsidized housing to attract teachers to rural and high-need areas.

The Department of Education should look into leasing military housing where there are excess facilities. Where there are none, perhaps the DOE could lease civilian housing or build its own housing on government land.

The teacher shortage also could be eased by encouraging capable students to graduate high school early to attend community colleges with work scholarships. By graduating capable students earlier, more resources can be transferred to improve education to special and underprivileged students.

Increasing teacher pay across the board will not improve recruiting where the needs are, nor improve education to all students.

Russel Noguchi

Pearl City

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Canal bridge could be bad for Moiliili

In reference to “New Ala Wai Canal bridge could transform Waikiki areas” (Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, July 18): Yes, it most certainly will.

A pedestrian bridge will transform the canal’s mauka neighborhood streets into parking lots for Waikiki businesses. Furthermore, unattended cars clogging up our streets in the late evening hours will become targets of opportunity for thieves, and rowdy Waikiki partiers returning to their cars past midnight will transform our quiet neighborhood.

Will we get a police substation along with the bridge? I agree, Waikiki needs improvement, and I agree the Ala Wai Canal needs attention (especially to address the Ala Wai watershed risk — if you haven’t heard, a hundred-year flood will destroy Waikiki). But, let’s keep Waikiki Waikiki, and leave our quiet mauka neighborhoods quiet.

Let the Moiliili neighborhood decide if it wants a pedestrian bridge into Waikiki. Don’t let businesses on the makai side of the canal dictate what is best for Moiliili.

Raymond Trombley

Moiliili

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Restrooms should be available widely

I shopped at the newly opened Ross and Longs Drugs on Nimitz Highway recently. When I asked directions to the restroom, I experience an annoying bit of what it’s like to be homeless/houseless — neither one has a public restroom.

I wondered if there was a rule, regulation or law that required large businesses like these to have public restrooms available to their customers.

And have you ever tried to find a public restroom in downtown Honolulu? It’s difficult. Our shopping malls have public restrooms.

Shame on all of us for not making public toilets readily available for local people and not just for tourists in Waikiki.

Our aloha spirit should insist that these essential public restroom facilities be provided everywhere.

Greg Farstrup

Pauoa

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Roland Cazimero a treasure of Hawaii

The melodies, the lyrics and oh, the harmonies. The Brothers Cazimero have gifted us with decades of great music.

As the world sends its condolences to the entire Cazimero ohana, we all cherish the volumes of music and memories these living treasures of Hawaii have given us that made us all feel at “Home In The Islands” (“Prominent Hawaii musician helped others ascend,” Star-Advertiser, July 18).

Roland’s spirit will live through Robert’s in what I know will continue to provide the soundtrack to our lives. May Day will never be the same.

Mark Ida

Salt Lake