There is a police substation right in Chinatown but you never see any police officers walking a beat enforcing laws, unlike in our precious Waikiki.
But here are things you do see on a daily basis: street people sitting and lying on almost every street, including practically at the police station’s doorstep; public urination; citizens getting verbally accosted; bicycle riding on sidewalks; drivers not stopping for pedestrians in crosswalks; or drivers making legal turns but racing in front of pedestrians trying to beat them to an open space in the crosswalk.
In a nutshell, enforcement of laws and ordinances are non-existent.
Wait, I stand corrected. Jaywalking is strictly enforced.
Shoppers and office workers who dare set one foot onto Hotel Street at the Fort Street Mall when the red stop hand begins to flash are immediately ticketed. Does this enforcement have something to do with getting easy revenue or is it a matter of taking the path of least resistance?
Finally, how about those two violent incidents within the last six days?
Steve Chang
Chinatown
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It appears St. Francis principal was fired
The saying, “talking from both sides of your mouth,” fits the ousting of Sister Joan of Arc Souza (“Longtime leader of St. Francis School ousted,” Star-Advertiser, June 14).
Sister Barbara Jean Donovan, who oversees 364 sisters from Honolulu to Syracuse, N.Y., claimed that her visit to St. Francis was to talk to Sister Souza about retirement.
I think the reason for her visit was to discuss moving the school forward and making changes.
There is a possibility there were disagreements and in the end, Sister Donovan brought up the topic of retirement. And since Sister Souza refused to retire, she was fired.
Sister Donovan contradicted herself when she said, “No, actually I did not come into town to fire her.”
Well, I guess since things did not fall her way, she did exactly what she said she did not come into town for.
Alexis M. Liftee
Nuuanu
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PUC commissioner served Hawaii well
For the last six years, Commissioner Lorraine H. Akiba has served on the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, and her term will end this June.
Akiba has strongly supported the development of renewable energy in Hawaii through a balanced and proactive approach to our clean energy development. Matters before the commission are often complex and contentious with far-reaching consequences and lots of cooks in the kitchen.
Akiba performed her work with consistent diligence and a quick wit, and her vision has been instrumental in forging a pathway for clean energy in Hawaii. Mahalo to Lorraine for her hard work, and best of luck with her new endeavors.
Leslie Cole-Brooks
Executive director, Distributed Energy Resources Council of Hawaii
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Low unemployment rate is great news
As a Republican of 84 years of age and a lifelong Hawaii resident, I have never, ever witnessed a greater set of economic news than what I learned recently as to what has taken place in America.
The lowest recorded unemployment rate ever for both African-Americans and Hispanics, and the lowest unemployment record for women in more than 18 years, are truly hefty blessings for our country.
People of all political stripes should be happy and proud of what our country has accomplished when good ideas and regulations for the different working classes of our great nation are put into action.
Everyone benefits in some way regarding this good news and we should be thankful for the intestinal fortitude of our political leaders who are responsible for history-making economic news.
Sit tight! I think more is to come.
Norman Fung
Kaneohe
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Mokuleia beach needs to be open
We were stunned to note the public right-of-way to Hoomana Beach at Mokuleia has been cut off for four years (“Mokuleia residents oppose approval of sea walls,” Star-Advertiser, June 9)! How can this happen?
The city Department of Parks and Recreation and the mayor need to get involved with this situation, in which a private entity, Grand View Apartments, arbitrarily reinforced a seawall and caused the city to close a public entry to a beach.
If there is an emergency and ocean safety personnel cannot break through the blocked walkway to reach the ocean, there is a real safety issue.
The city Department of Planning and Permitting will report to the City Council for action on this important issue. We are hoping to see some positive action to open Hoomana Beach to the public again.
John and Rita Shockley
Free Access Coalition
Makakilo
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How could people embezzle from Arc?
What’s with that Amorin family that embezzled more than $7 million from The Arc in Hawaii, disabled people who could have really used the funds (“Accountant pleads no contest to stealing $7M from nonprofit,” Star-Advertiser, June 7)?
Have these people no conscience? Plus, it went on for years. Law enforcement must now sell those five homes acquired with stolen money in an expeditious manner so funds can be returned to The Arc in Hawaii.
Roy M. Chee
Moanalua Gardens
