Big APEC winners were security folks

I manage a business in Waikiki and was excited at the prospect of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit being held here. The long-term benefits seemed worthwhile.

Little did I know that this would be a government takeover — a "1 percent" version of Occupy Waikiki. We couldn’t even cross the street.

On one late night, I went into the ABC Store and asked how was business. An employee said that they had sent workers home because it was so slow.

Security was on overkill. APEC utterly paralyzed many businesses on Lewers Street. The big winners were the security people, not local businesses.

I wonder what impression these world leaders had as they gazed out of the tinted windows of their passing limos and saw metal dividers, not the beautiful stonework that was laid in advance of their arrival. Waikiki never looked so ugly.

Organizers will no doubt trumpet the success of this great event. What a shame.

Steven Maier
Kapahulu

Promised benefits unlikely to manifest

The Nov. 12 Star-Advertiser article focusing on street interviews of local business owners affected by APEC showed a weak and dismal Oahu spending pattern since the start of the summit.

Hawaii taxpayers were given assurances by local legislators, APEC Host Committee members and tourism industry leaders of the short- and long-term economic benefit of taxpayer dollars used to support the conference.

Now that the benefits are in question, we are told that it is the "long-term benefit" that should be expected.

How are we to know the true local benefit?

Once the summit is over, it’s reported, a study will be funded and implemented by the Hawaii Convention and Visitors Bureau and Hawaii Tourism Authority.

Anyone care to guess on the report’s findings?

Don Weir
Kailua

HPD did a fine job during APEC event

I just want to say a big mahalo to the men and women of the Honolulu Police Department for the excellent security and aloha shown during the APEC events.

I even had police officers apologizing to me for delays to cross the street, traffic delays, etc.

HPD — the best!

Gerald King
Waikiki

St. Francis medical system is doing well

There is considerable confusion among many who erroneously believe St. Francis Healthcare System is bankrupt or facing financial distress. This is not true.

I would like to reassure you that St. Francis Healthcare System’s commitment and financial ability to serve patients and clients via our various programs are as strong as ever.

Since we sold the two hospitals in Liliha and Ewa Beach to Hawaii Medical Center in 2007, St. Francis Healthcare System has continued to operate St. Francis Hospice, St. Francis Home Care, Franciscan Adult Day Care, St. Francis Health Services for Seniors and other services.

We have made substantial investments to modernize our two inpatient hospice facilities, and recently completed Franciscan Vistas Ewa, an affordable independent-living community for seniors in Ewa Beach.

Plans are under way to expand our outpatient palliative care program and to build the St. Francis Intergenerational Center, a combination pre-school and adult day care.

St. Francis Healthcare System touches the lives of 90,000 clients a year. We will continue to move forward in our mission of creating healthy communities in the spirit of Christ’s healing ministry.

Sister Agnelle Ching
Chief executive officer, St. Francis Healthcare System

Failed promises are warning to others

Tim Tucker’s commentary is absolutely correct ("Hold Haseko accountable for promises to Ewa Beach community," Nov. 10, Star-Advertiser, Island Voices).

Having served on the neighborhood board and talked with Haseko developers, the community was assured that, given more permits, Haseko would come through with its promises. So far, few of them have been kept.

As Haseko nears the end of the project, what possible incentive could it have to pay up? Through community support, it won approvals of permits that granted greater density, less open space, a smaller marina and delayed resort amenities. Now all that we have to show for this support are more houses, new schools that enhance home sales but nothing for the Ewa Beach community that was promised.

Our district politicians seem to be totally in favor of anything area developers want. This should serve as a warning to those in favor of Ho‘opili and all its promises of neighborhood farms and community amenities.

Pam Smith
Ewa Beach

Haseko has been responsible steward

Instead of complaining about the loss of a limited-access marina available to only a minimum number of ocean users who can afford the high-priced recreational activity, we are looking forward to experiencing a wonderful new gathering place for our ohana and many more residents of Ewa Beach.

Like Tim Tucker, we were also involved in the now-defunct Ewa Beach Community Benefits Group and worked with Haseko to best address the needs of our community. Since then, not only have the needs of our community changed, but so have the people. But unlike Mr. Tucker, we have continued a positive working relationship with Haseko to ensure that the community, and specifically Native Hawaiians, have a voice in how the development progresses. By establishing the Hoakalei Cultural Foundation, we are able to address the cultural concerns that arise from these types of projects and ensure that Haseko is acting as responsible stewards of our land and sea. So far, we have not been disappointed.

Kupuna Arline Eaton, Mary Serrao and Alicia Maluafiti
Hoakalei Cultural Foundation