Ho‘opili a boon to area residents

As members of the Ho‘opili Community Task Force, we have been honored to share our voices in the planning of Ho‘opili.

The state Land Use Commission’s decision last week allows us to move one step closer to the realization of a second city by building a community that will provide a safe, health-conscious environment to live, work and play.

Although concerns have been raised by opponents of Ho‘opili, we have seen first-hand that D.R. HortonSchuler Division has incorporated solutions to issues such as food sustainability, traffic and affordable housing. As residents of Ewa, Kapolei and Waipahu, we are excited that Ho‘opili will give our children the chance to live in a new type of community in West Oahu that will be a model of sustainability.

We look forward to working with other members of the community as we continue refining our plans for a community that truly embodies Ho‘opili’s definition — coming together.

Frances Rivero, Tesha Malama, Michael Golojuch Jr., Ross Rolirad, Keith Timson, Maeda Timson, Mike Golojuch, Linda Young, Rodolfo Ramos, Georgette Stevens, Kurt Fevella, Coby Lynn, Maureen Andrade
Ho‘opili Community Task Force

Investigate LUC connections

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that the deck was stacked when the decisions were made for the Koa Ridge and Ho‘opili projects.

It is time for the state Land Use Commission members to be investigated for any unethical connections to these developers/ Realtors. How are we to have a chance at sustainability if our prime agricultural lands get paved over or covered with houses?

As for comments about improved medical services at Koa Ridge, I want to see cold, hard cash put into escrow for building this hospital being promised. Living in Mililani, I’ve seen Castle & Cooke promise one thing to the Mauka folks (an arts/civic center) and then find out that it will really be storage facilities and apartments. Show me the money.

David L. Zevenbergen
Mililani

Waiver should include audits

I applaud President Barack Obama’s circumvention of Congress to offer young undocumented immigrants a path to stay in and work for the good of this great nation. It is the right thing to do.

I would hope this path includes a simple audit to determine if tax payments for any services, such as health care or education, were circumvented by these families. This would give these "talented, driven and patriotic" youths (and perhaps their families) the opportunity to do what is right and what is fair.

Now that would deserve a standing ovation.

Kris Schwengel
Hawaii Kai

Hirono running from her record

I see U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono has opted out of anotherdebate with Ed Case.It is probably because she cannot defend her voting record in Congress.

Recently in a political ad, she stated that she opposed the Bush tax cuts.When the president asked that they be extended she voted for them.She also states that she wants to work with the president to move America forward.She has been working withhim for three years, resulting in an estimated additional $5 trillion to the national debt.

If you want to make achange in Washington you should vote for either Ed Case or Linda Lingle.

Bill Bowles
Mililani

Case is hardly a ‘true Democrat’

Ed Case’s claim to be a "true Democrat" who will "fight for our values" just doesn’t seem to match up with his actions.

A true Democrat does not try to oust a revered and respected incumbent and risk the state forfeiting years of hard-earned seniority and chairmanship positions.

A true Democrat doesn’t side with conservatives to cut crucial social programs yet preserve wasteful military spending to balance the budget.

A true Democrat does not reject the wisdom of Sens. Daniel K. Inouye and Daniel Akaka and vote to plunge the nation into a senseless war.

And a true Democrat does not help the opposition party candidates by speaking at a workshop for Republican candidates, like Case did in 2007. That takes an opportunist.

Francis M. Nakamoto
Moanalua Valley

Best schools not always nearby

In response to the letter, "Keep students at area schools" (Star Advertiser, Letters, June 15), the writer should keep in mind that some parents truly care about their children’s education and wish to send them to academically better schools outside of their district or here in town.

Some schools don’t offer the same academics as others, and if a student is thriving, that child deserves to attend a better school outside of his or her district.

We all must make sacrifices to ensure that our keiki are getting the best education they can.

Josh Paranada
Kalihi

Basic conflict is over visions

Thomas Sowell’s commentary beautifully outlines the conflict occuring in our country today ("Obama not socialist but still works to shrink free market," Star-Advertiser, June 16).

The conflict is not about political parties. As Sowell points out, it is whether our country will be run by an elitist government or by a "We the people …" constitutional government.

Robert Henninger
Foster Village

City bus routes also foster TOD

Regarding the nearly simultaneous elimination of Bus Route B (Kalihi to Waikiki) and the erection of the first pillar of the elevated railway out on Aloun farmland in Kapolei: Say what?

The reasons given for why we need rail went from "it will alleviate traffic" to "jobs" to "transit-oriented development."

We already have TOD in place. It is conveniently located along our existing bus routes and major vehicular and human corridors — like the corridor (with a bus running along it) that allows someone who lives in Kalihi to get to work in Waikiki on time.

Kevin O’Leary
Kalihi

Building lacks sense of place

I go to Kakaako Waterfront Park regularly to walk and wondered about the huge concrete mountain being built on Auahi Street on the former site of the John Dominis restaurant.

A few weeks ago, the front gate was opened and it revealed an egotistical architecture that showed a disregard for proportion, space (air and otherwise), aesthetics and Hawaii sensibilities. It was a waste to have demolished the restaurant after only 31 years. To think that its replacement is this building makes me sad.

Will the Hawaii Community Development Authority, which issued the permit to build, require Ocean Investments to plant trees so that the building will be hidden? Already the mauka view and the Manoa breezes are blocked by its presence.

Evelyn Oishi
Palolo Valley