Letters to the Editor

Court erred on voting issue

Did the federal District Court err in disenfranchising 108,000 voters?

Do you think those 108,000 individuals do not vote, drive on our public roads, use our libraries, attend public schools or universities, use our health services or hospitals, use our public parks, attend the zoo, concerts, museums or even rent long-term or purchase property?

If all of the above were true, we should also exclude another 100,000 residents who may move out of state in the next 10 years to be replaced by newcomers.

A resident is someone who wants to vote for what will affect his or her daily life, such as how these individuals’ tax money is spent.They have a primary residence in Hawaii, and are not short-term renters nor are they visitors here for less than six months a year.

If a person meets the credentials for registering to vote in our state, he or she should be included in the redistricting.

Kimberly Case
Manoa

Let’s try to limit isle population

Now that we’ve reached No. 1 in the country in at least one traffic survey, maybe it’s time to start evaluating the real problem.

We are an island of limited sustainability and resources.We have a carrying capacity we’ve long surpassed.Traffic is a plight we all share but it’s just one facet of the problem.Infrastructure, education, recreation and utilities also come to mind.

When are we as a society, and our legislators as leaders, going to start the discussion on limiting population growth to our islands? Until that happens, nothing, including rail, will begin to improve our lifestyles in Hawaii.

Pat Kelly
Wilhemina Rise

Kailua activities violate ’96 plan

The 1996 Master Plan for Kailua Beach Park required an environmental assessment (EA) to identify impacts on the environment and community.

The plan created a commercial-free recreational park. Residents and tourists from everywhere were welcome. However, no tour buses would be allowed; no ocean recreation center would be created; no increases in the number of users were anticipated.

Based on these representations, the EA found that the city’s plan had "no significant impacts."

Today, multiple businesses have satellite offices in the park; tour buses park there. The impacts on traffic, seabird habitats and Oahu residents seeking respite are significant. Any commercial uses at the park not contemplated by the master plan require a new or supplemental EA.

The city has no legal authority to issue commercial permits until it conducts an EA and mitigates these impacts. In the meantime, the city is obligated to stop the illegal commercial activities.

Laura H. Thielen
Former chairperson, state Department of Land and Natural Resources, and candidate for state Senate District 25

Debate forums useful for voters

I hope voters will take note of Mazie Hirono’s reluctance to debate Ed Case ("Hirono turns down HPU forum," Star-Advertiser, May 22).

Senators have to make informed decisions about an enormous number of issues and be able to explain and argue those issues to constituents and other members of Congress.

Debate forums should be available to the most voters possible via television, not just to a select few in small, non-televised events.We deserve to look and listen to the candidates.Can they make their points and express themselves effectively? The Senate is a formidable body and its members need to be able to not only hold their own, but find compromises with the other party and get Congress out of the mired mess it is in.We need to hear from both Case and Hirono so we can compare.

Gretchen Gould
Kaneohe

Security needs tightening at UH

Once again we hear of another security breach at the University of Hawaii-Manoa campus.

Sexual assaults on students walking around the campus at night, break-ins and theft at the dormitories, and now, two safes brazenly stolen. Was there any video surveillance?

And yet the university’s sports coaches and the new chancellor receive salaries high enough to pay for more security.

Han Song
Kaneohe

Put gambling to a public vote

The issue of legalized gambling should be put on the November 2012 general election ballot.

Look at the thousands of Hawaii residents who go to Nevada and many more visitors who would come here if we had casinos.

Lawrence K. Kurozawa
Hilo