Mayoral candidates agree about homeless

While Sachi Kaulukului’s commentary is a welcome reminder to see those who are homeless as human beings, she misses the complexity of addressing their needs ("Mayoral candidates need to be clear about homeless issue," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, July 30).

According to the 2012 Point in Time Count, downtown Honolulu had a 10 percent and 11 percent decline in the number of unsheltered and chronically homeless respectively. This demonstrates the effectiveness of action that moves people from an unhealthy environment of living on the streets onto a trajectory toward health, employment and housing.

Some of those who refuse assistance need to be encouraged to see that life on the streets is not acceptable, for their sake as well as the community’s. Others require intense mental health assistance, which is why the Institute for Human Services collaborates with mental health professionals, including psychiatrists at the medical school.

All the candidates for mayor are on the same page when it comes to working together in addressing homelessness: Using solutions that deliver results.

Connie Mitchell
Executive director, The Institute for Human Services Inc.

Think outside the box to get more housing

How many times do we hear the politicians talk about affordable housing to solve the homeless problem?

They talk the talk but do not walk the walk.

Let’s face it: Affordable housing will never be possible in Hawaii, so forget about using this term when talking about the homeless.

Councilman Tom Berg proposes using excess shipping containers converted to useable convenient living conditions, at a cost less than a medium-priced new car.

Laws may need to be changed to permit building these units, so our politicians need to get to work to make this possible.

Unused farmland could be zoned to establish small communities.

Each community could have a social treatment facility, if necessary.

Time to think out of the box, folks. Notify your Council member to give this serious consideration.

John Gallagher
Ewa Beach

Gaming is superior to higher taxes, fees

Taxpayers are concerned about the dire constraints of our government at all levels.

Facilities need fixing, sewer lines are antiquated, parks need either to be repaired or built, and job positions need to be filled. This all costs money.

Yet not one of the former or present governors or mayors has ever really considered gaming, due to staunch opposition of those who attended hearings.

The state Legislature should allow each county the right to decide the issue by placing gaming on the ballot to determine if voters favor it as an option. Any monies derived from gaming should go to the general fund to serve as an alternative funding source to tax and fee increases.

Numerous other jurisdictions have successful gaming operations in place, and our state could attain the same if we allow our counties to lead the way.Gaming isa far superioralternative toadditional higher taxes and fees.

Whitney T. Anderson
Waimanalo

Carlisle has kept ‘pay to play’ at bay

Tad Ono’s recent commentary on "pay to play" is right on ("‘Pay to play’ remains a reality in isle politics, corrupting all involved," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Aug. 1).

It is a huge problem when monetary contributions are the top priority for elected officials. "We the people" should not have to come in second place.

When the amount of money someone gives to a politician is the main reason he gets a government contract, that’s plain wrong, and it’s just bad government.

Mayor Peter Carlisle demonstrated the strength and character to confront "pay to play" as prosecutor, and has kept it out of City Hall as Honolulu mayor. Honest, that’s the way it’s supposed to be.

Jean Ireton
Hawaii Kai