Valuations for Honolulu residential properties are set to increase by 6.1 percent for the forthcoming tax year. Assuming the City Council keeps rates steady, 2018 property taxes will rise for many homeowners.

Residential properties account for roughly 55 percent of total property tax revenues, making them the primary source of funding for the infrastructure and services Oahu residents rely on.

Taxes are a shared burden, except when properties have historic home status and owners pay only $300 per year regardless of their assessed value.

The historic status afforded to the former Kaiser Estate on Portlock Road means that the city will surrender over $118,000 in tax revenue (because it is classified as a Residential A property, and is not the primary residence of its owner, Evershine II LP) next year.

Shouldn’t owners of historic properties be obliged to pay more when most Honolulu homeowners are facing higher tax bills?

Paul Migliorato

Makiki

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Trump doesn’t show Christian values

President Donald Trump claims to be a devout Christian who put “Christ” back in Christmas.

However, we have yet to see a photo op of the Trump family attending church services anywhere, not even on Christmas Day. He apparently prefers spending Sunday (and many other days of the week) on the golf course.

During the presidential campaign he was asked about his favorite Bible verse but could not think of one. Eventually he came up with one: “An eye for an eye.” Hardly a Christian attitude.

Carol Schmus

Mililani

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Protect monuments to save marine life

I agree with the recent commentary, “Rolling back protections for Pacific Remote Islands Monument would be wrong” (Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Dec. 24).

In 2014, I was one of many thousands supporting President Barack Obama’s expansion of protections for the marine reserve. We did not get all we wanted, as the administration responded to concerns raised by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (Wespac) and other commercial fishing interests by limiting the expansion of monument boundaries to protect only two of the five atoll and island complexes.

Wespac thanked the president for the compromise, and now it is lobbying the president yet again. The value of these public resources as fully protected natural reserves far exceed revenues generated by commercial fishing activities placing those resources at risk. We must keep current protections in place.

Dave Raney

Waialae-Kahala

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Con Con expensive and unnecessary

Hawaii doesn’t need a Constitutional Convention. Changes to the state Constitution can already be accomplished through the ordinary amendment process.

A Con Con would be costly for taxpayers and potentially subject to the influence of special interests. That could yield a mix of good and bad changes not in the best interests of Hawaii’s people. Better we consider each proposed amendment individually on its merits rather than open Pandora’s box and invite yet another costly convention in the future.

Wray Jose

Manoa

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Mayoral candidates need real experience

In reading the article, “Anderson, Pine eye 2020 mayor’s race to replace Caldwell” (Star-Advertiser, Dec. 25), I couldn’t help but think: Aren’t there any better candidates out there?

Both Kymberly Pine and Ikaika Anderson are professional politicians. Neither has ever held substantial jobs in the private sector but have been employed only in political positions.

Whatever happened to mayors we could trust to do dynamic jobs to grow our city with huge public works projects that actually made a positive impact on Honolulu?

Mayor John H. Wilson (1947-1955) was a civil engineer and completed the Honolulu Hale buildings. Neal S. Blaisdell (1955-1969) constructed the Wilson tunnels and what would become the Blaisdell Center.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell (2012-2020) has tried to build the most expensive rail system in the country but is years behind and billions short.

What we do not need are more politicians like Anderson and Pine to follow in Caldwell’s footsteps.

Pam Smith

Ewa Beach

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Cedar Camp helped west-side homeless

I know Christmas is all about good will and making everyone feel good. But I couldn’t help but take offense at some of the things written in the article, “Santa brings gifts to kids on Waianae Coast” (Star-Advertiser, Dec. 26). Do your reporters do their homework?

For five years I ran Cedar Camp, which is owed by Hawaii Cedar Church, a Korean congregation in Honolulu. There was no mention of Cedar Church. Give credit where credit is due.

Second, I asked state Rep. Cedric Gates for help when the city levied fines on the camp for wastewater violations, to help the camp get the proper permits, and he did not lift a finger.

Lastly, I had been trying to pull the residents out of the camp into affordable housing for years, but none of them, particularly the ones interviewed in the story, wanted to leave.

So yes, I love Christmas and I want everyone to feel good, but let the public know the truth and nothing but the truth.

Pastor Curtis Tsuzaki

Nanakuli

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Mueller has plenty of evidence already

Just this once, I have to agree with Republicans: Special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation is taking too long.

Wasn’t he watching TV when presidential candidate Donald Trump said, “Russia, if you’re listening, maybe you can find Hillary’s emails”?

That, plus Donald Jr.’s clearly colluding emails, should be proof enough for a conclusion.

Regina Gregory

Makiki