Safe zones for homeless should be permanent

Thank you for your editorial in support of safe zones for the homeless population (“‘Safe zones’ may be needed option,” Star-Advertiser, Our View, Oct. 13).

I fully support safe zones as a solution to the problem of homelessness. I would like to see it be looked at as a permanent solution rather than a temporary one.

People who relocate to a safe zone should know it will be there permanently rather than temporarily.

It can be a temporary solution for those who utilize it as a step in their efforts to better their lives and move on.

For those who don’t have ambitions to improve their situation in life, or who have lost their fight for a better life, it would be a place they can rely on to provide them with shelter, basic necessities and basic health needs.

Here in Hawaii, we will always have homeless people. Safe zones should be a permanent solution rather than a temporary one.

Stuart Shimazu

Kaimuki

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Foreign language study opens world to children

On behalf of the Hawai‘i Association of Language Teachers (HALT) and the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), we applaud Matthew Calulot and Alyssa Cortez for their insightful perspective of the value of being literate in more than one language (“Bilingual door widens student potential,” Star-Advertiser, Raise Your Hand, Nov. 5).

Ensuring our children have the tools for success in an increasingly interconnected world needs to be a priority.

The staff, teachers and administration of schools like Waipahu High School are to be commended for their support of World Language programs that encourage and excite these students.

The Star-Advertiser’s continued participation in HALT’s Excellence in Teaching Awards also contributes to these efforts to open the “bilingual door that widens student potential.”

Lynette Fujimori

ACTFL and HALT board member

Kailua

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Liberals should show respect for presidency

It has been one year since Donald J. Trump was elected leader of the free world.

Many on the left still have not gotten over it and continue to slam and ridicule Trump and his family on everything, including his minor son Barron, and even the shoes the first lady wears.

Trump is president. If you don’t like him, at least respect the office of the president.

It looks bad when other countries constantly see Americans slamming their own president, shooting the middle finger, following Hollywood’s lead.

The president may not have the best bedside manner. However, he has our best interests at heart.

Be thankful we have him on our team and that we do not have to go against him. We finally have a president who calls radical Muslim extremists what they are.

Even if “The Donald” saved America from a nuclear holocaust, the snowflakes would still hate.

James “Kimo” Rosen

Kapaa, Kauai

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Koa Ridge covers ag land with suburban sprawl

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Koa Ridge development last week was a supreme disappointment (“Koa Ridge finally reaches building stage,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 3).

These are some of the most fertile agricultural lands on the island and should be preserved for food production purposes in perpetuity. This project directly undermines Gov. David Ige’s commitment to double local food production by 2030, as the demand for affordable ag land far exceeds supply.

Yes, housing is direly needed, there is no argument there. However, sprawling subdivisions — especially those dominated by single-family homes — are not the answer to the housing crisis for Oahu. They should be planned in and directly around the urban core, should be affordable, and any new developments should be closer to the planned rail line. The last thing this island needs is more suburban sprawl, which will ultimately compound our already nightmarish traffic problem and take away valuable ag land.

Kimiko LaHaela Walter

McCully-Moiliili