Invest in Hawaii with bond issue

The Star-Advertiser’s April 26 editorial is misleading at best, misinformed at worst ("Build prudently to boost economy," Star-Advertiser, Our View).

The Senate’s proposed $500 million "Invest in Hawaii" budget is not all new bonds. About $300 million was already anticipated and included in the governor’s proposed executive budget. We have identified another $50 million in appropriated funds that we can lapse for projects that state departments say are no longer a priority.

Bottom line: about $150 million in additional bond funding.

Budget Director Kalbert Young has repeatedly and consistently asserted that adding this additional bonding obligation can be managed without affecting the state’s financial stability.

The projects we propose to fund are repair and maintenance jobs for virtually every state department in communities statewide. Through our online bid process, needed jobs can be bid right away — fixing our schools, roads, hospitals and other facilities to assure the safety and health of island residents.

Current low interest rates, unacceptably high unemployment and deteriorating state infrastructure all cry out for action now.

Sen. Michelle Kidani
Vice chair, Senate Committee on Ways and Means

Dogs already are protected

In response to the commentary by Inga Gibson ("Hawaii should join states that have rules for large-scale dog breeders," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, April 25), and to alert our local pet owners: Passing House Bill 108 would be a big mistake.

I am an ordinary dog owner, not a paid lobbyist.The Humane Society of the United States is an extremist animal rights organization that is using paid lobbyists to push HB 108, which has nothing to do with protecting animals and has everything to do with taking away our right to own dogs, to decide what is loving care for our dogs and to have puppies.We already have a reasonable law in Hawaii that protects animals in HRS 711-1100.

This activist group is taking advantage of good people who are appalled by the Waimanalo puppy mill problem. HB 108 does nothing to stop the corporate puppy mills or punish those involved.In addition, it would allow for inspection of a dog owner’s home without a warrant.

Susan Govier
Aiea

Don’t make school a burden

As one of the countless Oahu students who depend on school buses to travel to school, I feel that it is pathetic that school-bus transportation could be eliminated. If this happens, numerous students will be forced to walk or not attend school at all. The ones who do show up will most likely be tardy.

Schools may need to hold fundraisers to acquire the necessary capital. Since schools raise money for sports and clubs, then why not bankrupt auntie and uncle even further with more fundraising (car washes, bake sales, Zippy’s tickets, etc.) in the effort to ensure that students arrive at school?

Education is vital to our future, but how can we receive it if Hawaii’s politicians make it overly burdensome to get to our campuses?

Cassandra Fernandez
Junior, Aiea High School

Help keep alive farmers market

The North Shore Outdoor Circle’s mission is to keep Hawaii clean, green and beautiful.

We recognize the value of supporting agriculture by providing a venue for local agricultural products.

Along with the majority of voices in our community, The North Shore Outdoor Circle would like to see the Haleiwa Farmers Market continue to thrive, preferably in its current location.

The market is making great use of a neglected parcel of land that was abandoned nearly 20 years ago by a new highway re-alignment into our town.

We urge those in authority to come up with a creative solution to make it possible for this farmers market to remain in its present location, at least until another suitable location can be found.

Diane Anderson
Co-president, North Shore Outdoor Circle

Death penalty is costly option

What is rarely mentioned is the effect on our treasuries of maintaining the death penalty.

No matter how humanitarian or punitive you are, the indisputable fact is that those on death row have nothing to lose, so they file endless motions and appeals and tie up our overloaded courts and local, state and federal prosecutors for years.

Does it make sense, regardless of whether you can prove the deterrence capability of the death penalty, to go on spending this kind of money?

Tom Tizard
Kailua