Infrastructure needs attention

Recent articles in the Star-Advertiser have focused on sewage problems on Oahu due to lack of capacity, old pipes, lack of planning, energy issues and landfill problems.

So what is our solution? None to fix the above, but state agencies are preparing to approve 11,000 new homes at Hoopili, and except for the intervention of a judge, the start of Koa Ridge with another 3,000-plus homes.

So we have two really big new communities (not counting the smaller ones being built) while we are still kicking the can down the road on fixing infrastructure.

Do you see a common element with all of these issues? No communication between city and state entities, no long-term planning by any agencies and absolutely no long-term vision on what is required for Oahu and the state.

Some turbines not operating

I pass by the Kahuku wind turbines daily and on almost all occasions one or more of them are “secured” (not operating). It would be of interest to the community to review the electricity actually being produced and put into the grid and compare it to the projections used to gain approval for that project. It would help us evaluate the new projects being considered.

Lottery is clean and productive

In response to Grace Furukawa (“Lottery would be foot in the door,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, July 2): Let’s face it. Hawaii is so deep in the mud with state and county workers already taking cuts in pay and jobs, without a lottery.

With the millions of dollars Hawaii people spend to go to Vegas, half of that money spent could go to lotteries in Hawaii to undo the deficits Hawaii has.

A lottery would be clean, with no casinos involved.

Tax loopholes questionable

Donald Harlor says that a tax loophole for jet owners should not be closed (“Corporate jets provide real jobs,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, July 23).

He claims that jet owners create jobs and implies that closing this loophole would force them to sell their jets, which would put many people out of work.

He makes a compelling argument. But why stop at jet owners?

Expanding on his idea, lawmakers should add even more tax loopholes for the ultra-rich, such as tax breaks for professional sports team owners. Doing so would create jobs for athletes, coaches, trainers and tax-evasion specialists. In fact, if lower taxes on the wealthy cause all kinds of jobs to materialize, why tax them at all?

Course change has big impact

Removing a required course from social studies will have a big impact on the social studies’ departments of high schools in regard to teachers (Proposal cuts high school social studies,” Star-Advertiser, July 20).

Deputy schools superintendent Ronn Nozoe is incorrect in saying that “the proposal changes are budget-neutral.” It is a distinct possibility that some social studies teachers may be displaced.

It may also cause social studies teachers to have to teach out of their certification/license in another subject, which could mean that they are not “highly qualified” under No Child Left Behind.

If the Board of Education and Department of Education create a vocational diploma for general education and special education, which has graduates prepared for the job, they will meet with success.

Convoy of Hope is good example

I’m hoping homeless czar Marc Alexander took note of the Convoy of Hope’s successful “Day of Compassion” at Aloha Stadium (“Fair offers families food, fun and hope,” Star-Advertiser, July 24).

The Convoy’s imaginative donations of free school supplies, haircuts and other niceties undoubtedly helped our low-income and homeless forget about their problems long enough to realize there are still people who care.

If Alexander and his so-called 90-day homeless plan are to succeed, the Convoy of Hope’s recent example must be followed. Otherwise, we’re likely to eventually find signs in the parks reading, “Please don’t feed the pigeons … and people.”