Builders need plans for sea level rise

A critical question absent from Vicki Viotti’s interview with Simon Treacy of the Howard Hughes Corp., concerning present and future development of the Victoria Ward properties, was how he intends to deal with predicted sea level rise (“Simon Treacy,” Star-Advertiser, Name in the News, March 30).

Scientists from the University of Hawaii tell us that portions of Kakaako and adjoining areas will be under water some of the time — perhaps all of the time — 50 years from now, yet all the developers seem to have their heads stuck in the sand (or is that water?).

Are they planning to have their investments amortized in 50 years or are they already looking at water taxis and gondolas as ways for the residents to get around?

Toby Kravet

Kamehameha Heights

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Speak out for action on climate change

We don’t have time to debate the existence of climate change. Too many families have lost their homes, livelihoods and even their lives in tragic hurricanes, flooding and wildfires this year. This is why U.S. Sens. Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz took to the Senate floor and urged their colleagues to take serious action on climate change.

Both senators delivered speeches in the hours leading up to U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse’s 200th climate address. Hirono explained the impact climate change is already having on coastal communities each day. Schatz called out Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt in his speech, saying that Pruitt has set back the climate fight by putting the interests of polluters over the people.

For the sake of all our communities, and especially the low-income and communities of color who face disproportionate risks and greater barriers to recovery, we must act on climate change. We truly appreciate Hirono and Schatz for speaking out for immediate climate action.

Gene Karpinski

President of the League of Conservation Voters

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Let tourists choose vacation rentals

With the increase in tourism and visitor spending, it’s hoped that proposed changes to bed-and-breakfast rentals will not discourage those who favor this type of vacation from coming to Hawaii (“Law allowing more B&B permits and stiffer regulations on the way,” Star-Advertiser, March 25).

The amount of these types of rentals shows the demand for this style of vacation accommodations.

Would owners rent to local yearly renters? Many of these vacation rentals operate only during certain seasons and may offer only a bedroom.

The city could consider offering permits that allow for rentals during certain months or for a limited number of days during the year.

Let’s not lose the tourist who wants an experience that is different from staying at a hotel.

Leonard Leong

Manoa

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Medical aid in dying a personal choice

It is encouraging that someone has enlightened our fine legislators that we are not living in the 14th century any more, when religious believers put non-believers on a pyre and burnt them to death in a public place.

Our legislators have realized slowly — painfully slowly — that we have moved 700 years ahead into the 21st century, when we have a clear separation between state and church.

If today’s believers want their old people to suffer until they finally move into their heaven, that’s their prerogative. The state will not have them take a pill to help them get out of their misery.

Now, in reverse, if the state (that is, us) wants to let its people get out of their old-age pain, we cannot let the believers tell us what to do. If and when we want to depart from this Earth, that decision is ours. Nobody else’s.

Thank you, dear legislators, for putting that basic principle into law.

Gerhard C. Hamm

Nuuanu

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Tighten deadline to surrender guns

As the Hawaii chapter leader for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, I found it incredible to watch the groundswell of support for common-sense gun reform sweep the nation.

Moms Demand Action has worked hard to pass Senate Bill 2436, which would reduce the time domestic abusers and other convicted prohibited users can keep their guns. We hope it will get a hearing by the House Judiciary Committee before time runs out.

Hawaii law enables prohibited people to keep guns they already have for up to a month before law enforcement is authorized to intervene. This creates a dangerous gap that can have devastating consequences, particularly in domestic violence situations.

Hawaii should pass legislation to ensure domestic abusers, convicted felons and other people who are prohibited from having guns relinquish their firearms right away, preferably 48 hours.

Bennett Cale

Makawao, Maui

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Drug addictions drive homelessness

The homeless problem in Hawaii is out of control, and Camp Kikaha is an example of the failure to remedy the disaster (“Unsafe zone,” Star-Advertiser, March 24). Our problem is not our homeless; it’s their drug addiction.

It seems as though the addicts are getting more and more desperate and brazen, stealing handbags out of bike baskets, walking into stores and robbing owners, punching out elderly women walking out of beach bathrooms. It’s frightening. Then there is the health of our residents with people defecating and urinating in public and in front of businesses — a potential disease disaster.

“Housing First” is a bad idea. Why do we want to place a homeless addict next door to a family with children? We are not addressing the real problem — drugs — or its consequences: more crime.

For those living in a public place without a home, and who test positive for drugs, I support extended mandatory drug rehabilitation.

Candas Lee Rego

Kailua