Exemptions bill misrepresented

Some of the representations in the recent article regarding Senate Bill 755 encourage readers to get emotional rather than educated about what this bill is really trying to accomplish ("The environmental exceptions bill: Would it help or harm?" Star-Advertiser, Insight, April 22).

The Legislature is making great efforts to address backlogged repairs to school, state-owned hospitals, deficient bridges and harbors and our libraries — facilities that must be safe and serve the public on a daily basis.

Opponents suggest that this bill will forego all environmental safeguards, but that is not the case.

First of all, the measure is temporary. It would address delays in projects already in motion or close to being ready. Second, SB 755 would not completely exempt projects from Chapter 343. Last, the bill would ensure federal oversight, meaning all projects must comply with federal laws and regulations.

Proponents of this measure also have great respect for the state and care about the environment.

Shannon Alivado
Director of government relations, General Contractors Association of Hawaii

Landfill could help out Kailua

I hope our Windward politicians — both state and city, present and future — take a reasonable look at the suggestion for a new landfill in Kailua and do not just jump on the NIMBY bandwagon. It would be beneficial to the whole island and could bring extra benefits to the residents of Windward Oahu.

There is a precedent for giving extra to those willing to host the landfill. These benefits could include a new regional park on the north side of Kawainui Marsh, with a bikeway and walking path around the marsh. Also, our roads certainly could use help. The Kailua Road and Wanaao Road entrance to Enchanted Lake is disgraceful.

Fris Campbell
Kailua

Insurers could act as advisers

The inclusion of HMSA, Kaiser Permanente and Hawaii Dental Service as voting members on a board with the power to make rules that determine who can or cannot sell insurance to 100,000 Hawaii uninsured under the federal Affordable Care Act raises obvious conflict of interest concerns to AARP, acting for our 150,000 Hawaii members.

Our concern is the greater because this "Connector" board is able to conduct its business outside the state’s Sunshine Law while it makes rules for an insurance market valued at $300 million.

Our concerns could be laid to rest by a measure sponsored by the House, making the insurers sitting on this board non-voting advisory members. Other states have done this.

We don’t doubt that our local insurance companies have valuable and helpful advice to offer. But unless they remove themselves as bidders for this huge market, the appearance that they have acted to help themselves is inescapable.

We support Senate Bill 2434, House Draft 3.

Stuart Ho
President, AARP Hawaii

Taiwan doing its part for Earth

I agree with Suzanne Case that climate change "is not only real, it’s urgent … locally and globally, climate change affects us indiscriminately" ("On Earth Day, know that habits can affect climate change," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, April 22).

Island Taiwan faces the same problems caused by climate change as Hawaii. To make matters worse, Taiwan is unable to participate in the United Nations Climate Change Conference to obtain updated information on climate change to protect its people and to contribute to the international community in this endeavor.

Nevertheless, Taiwan initiated energy projects to help reduce carbon emissions by 4.82 million metric tons in 2011 and continues to address issues to combat the potential effects of climate change.

Climate change is an issue that involves global communities. It is imperative that everyone share the responsibility to build a peaceful and sustainable world to live in.

John Lee
Senior press officer, Press Division Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles

Keep funding kupuna care

As a Meals-On-Wheels volunteer, I am writing to add my voice for the thousands of senior citizens who depend on their weekly meal deliveries.

Without the services provided by Kupuna Care programs such as the Lanakila Meals-On-Wheels program, many of our island’s elders would go hungry. Our clients include elders who are unable to leave their home because of disabilities as well as many who simply cannot afford a hot meal. The daily or weekly visits from volunteers also serve to keep an eye on our seniors, in the event they take a fall or are ill. A volunteer can call in help.

One certainty in life is that we will all age and be seniors ourselves one day. By being good caretakers we also ensure our care in the future. I urge our legislators to continue to fund Kupuna Care.

Stephanie Ching
Alewa Heights

Teachers face many obstacles

Gary Stark makes several assumptions about public school teachers ("Legislators let HSTA run amok," Star-Advertiser, Letters, April 20). My guess is he has never taught in a public school.

Stark states that teachers are "unwilling to accept anything that would improve our pathetic education system."

Really? Presently, some of my friends teach five sections of 35 students, of whom several show up only twice a week. The text books are 20 years old, and there are few computers.

Other teachers get to school at 6 a.m., leave at 5:30 p.m. and go in Sunday afternoons to keep up. Because of their dedication, many teachers support its students in winning writing, speech, robotics, spelling and math competitions.

My friends in the public schools are improving learning despite the obstacles they face. However, a general public that slaps teachers in the face with their misapprehension of the performance evaluation debate is going to drive more and more amazing teachers away.

Stephanie Darrow
Hawaii Kai

Kitty with rifle was appalling

I have been a longtime reader of the Star-Advertiser and will continue to be.

I have also been a fan of the feature, "5 Things We Love," but no more.

I was appalled when you chose a decal with "Hello Kitty" holding an AK-47 assault rifle to put on a car window (Star-Advertiser, April 20).

I have been an educator of children for 45 years, so I do have a sense of humor, but there is nothing humorous about assault rifles, especially when being trivialized with "Hello Kitty."

What’s next, the Easter Bunny delivering hand grenades?

Shame on you, John Berger!

Dianne Zbin
Hawaii Kai