Con Con could fix legislative flaws

In the 2018 general election, voters will be asked whether they want a constitutional convention (Con Con). A Con Con should be held because the Legislature is unlikely to pass constructive laws that pose conflicts of interests to the Legislature as a body or to legislators as individuals, such as:

>> Giving the counties more taxing power beyond the property tax.

>> Adopting publicly funded elections in order to reduce government corruption.

>> Shifting to a unicameral legislature to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

>> Remove the Legislature’s exemption from the Sunshine Law.

>> Prohibit the Legislature from interfering with the formulation of public policy that applies to Hawaii’s public school system and the University of Hawaii because the Board of Education and the Board of Regents, respectively, are supposed to be responsible.

There are likely many more issues that should be considered by a Con Con.

John Kawamoto

Kaimuki

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Tax cuts will help ‘regular folks’

The Star-Advertiser’s feeble attempt to discredit the impact President Donald Trump’s tax reform package will have on this country is par for the course in this one-party Democrat state (“A taxing problem for Hawaii,” Star-Advertiser, Our View, Dec. 23).

The Star-Advertiser said, “For most regular folks, the savings should be pretty modest.” Maybe for the newspaper’s management and editorial board the $400 to $2,000 in tax savings is manini, but for most “regular folks,” the savings aren’t chump change.

Four major banks just announced bonuses of $1,000 to $1,500 for most employees and an increase in their minimum wages to $15 an hour. This is a direct result of Trump’s tax reform. Just ask the thousands of employees whom this affects whether this is “modest.”

The Star-Advertiser, as well as Democrats in this state are out of touch with the “regular folks.”

Bert Oshiro

Hawaii Kai

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Tax bill won’t stop AT&T layoffs

Peter Junker seems to have missed the fact that AT&T just laid off 600 employees and plans to fire 4,000 more (“Tax cuts will benefit Hawaii residents,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Dec. 26).

It kind of puts a damper on the job growth he is touting.

Terrence Ching

Palolo

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Banks may give, but save more

I congratulate the local banks that gave employees bonuses and wage increases (“Isle bank employees get special holiday cash bonus,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 23). The banks said that the recent changes in business taxes allowed them to provide the increased wages and bonuses.

To determine if these banks are being naughty or nice, it would be nice to know how much they actually saved in taxes. Be they Santas or Scrooges? I suspect they gave much less than they received.

Peter Burns

Kaneohe

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Bring services to the homeless

Why can’t the state set up containers and trailers at various sites around Oahu where the homeless congregate? It could consist of an office manned by state employees to provide information about social programs, jobs, housing, aid and application assistance — all in one place.

In addition, there would be a restroom area consisting of toilets and showers designated for men and women. This would be helpful to those employed or looking for jobs, and for children. Of course, this would require around-the-clock security.

It can be done. Let’s think outside the box.

Of course it takes money, but so do the constant sweeps that just move the homeless around, and solve nothing.

Annette Spinaio

Kailua

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Telescopes can benefit Hawaiians

Mauna Kea is a unique location on the planet for astronomy, and not just because there is so little light pollution on this tallest mountain. A major reason for the Hokule‘a and its voyages has been to celebrate and publicize the pioneering of Polynesians on the ocean using their knowledge of celestial navigation.

Opponents of the new telescope, a tiny minority, could erase this heritage and the status of Hawaii as a center of astronomy.

Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim’s idea of a peace park on the mountain is a good solution.

The footprint of the new telescope will be less than two acres, part of the present 525-acre Astronomy Precinct. The entire Mauna Kea Science Reserve is more than 11,223 acres.

The university, the state and Hawaiian groups could agree to designate a large part of the park as a reserve under direct control and management by Native Hawaiians.

Cedric B. Cowing

Niu Valley