Letters to the Legislature

Overdevelopment of Oahu is a travesty

Why push to make Oahu like Hong Kong? We’ve enjoyed a very special way of life here that has quickly eroded. The policy of banks, construction unions and politicians is to keep building up our island with virtually no sense of future planning. Yes, jobs are important, but literally every construction job is a temporary one. One project ends and another one begins until you have what we have now. In virtually every segment of Oahu, you’ll hear complaints of overcrowding.

The Public Land Development Corp., environmental impact studies paid for and completed by developers, public-input meetings inconveniently scheduled or canceled altogether — it’s a travesty. Yet we continue to re-elect the same incumbents, and on it goes.

Only when the voting public starts looking at legislative records and quits voting on name recognition, or we are terminally stuck in gridlock (likely the latter), will the overdevelopment of Oahu cease.

Pat Kelly
Honolulu

Fix secretive process that stymies citizenry

My wish for the next Legisla- ture:reform the way it does business.With an official session a mere 60 days and with a plate of more than 3,000 bills awaiting consideration, the Legislature functions in a way that seems designed to make it impossible for the interested citizen to know what’s going on, much less participate.

Suggestions: Mandate time limits on testimony so those of us with limited time don’t run out of it before we can testify; eliminate "gut and replace" so the same bill that begins its journey isn’t transformed into something else entirely; limit a committee chair’s ability to kill a bill before it gets its first hearing; make the sausage-making that goes on in conference committees more transparent.

Steps can be taken to encourage citizen participation in what should be a democratic process — if there’s a will to do it.

Nancy Davlantes
Kaneohe

Early childhood care, education are crucial

The elimination of junior kindergarten in 2014 affects Hawaii’s most vulnerable children. The system will kick out 5,100 students each year — forcing them to wait another year to enter kindergarten.

Let’s make sure the end of junior kindergarten is the beginning of early childhood education for all 4-year-olds. It’s good for the economy, good for communities, and it’s the right thing to do.

Early learning comes in many forms, including family-child interaction learning (parent participation preschools) and home visiting programs to meet family needs. These vital programs serve more than 25,000 keiki annually, especially in remote and rural locations where preschool options are limited.

Research shows that the youngest years (0-8) are critical for learning. Children with early opportunities learn better, graduate from high school more frequently and have the skills needed to be successful in school and life.

Early care and education must be a priority for this Legislature to ensure the educational success of our children — thereby securing the well-being of Hawaii’s future.

C. Kanoelani Naone
Chief executive officer of INPEACE, on behalf of the ‘Eleu collaborative

Redirect efforts to tap liquefied natural gas

Our Legislature should encourage the use of liquefied natural gas to produce electricity instead of biofuel because LNG is economical and a practical solution to pollution.

LNG is cheap and plentiful in the U.S. LNG is projected to be economical for a long time due to new extraction techniques being used, and it burns cleanly.

Biofuels are expensive and are not secure fuel sources since the fuel is subject to the weather, viruses and insects.

Currently, the technology has not been developed to make biofuel an economical option. Furthermore, LNG burns cleaner than diesel.

We should stop trying to put a square peg into a round hole until someone figures out how to make biofuel economical, and redirect our efforts to create an LNG infrastructure that would provide lower cost electricity for consumers, create less air pollution than diesel and provide local jobs for local people.

Setsuko Kaneshiro
Palolo Valley

Assisted death issue is priority

This legislative session, it is my sincere hope that lawmakers uphold the wishes of the overwhelming majority of Hawaii residents and physicians who support access to aid in dying.

A January 2012 QMark survey showed 77 percent of adults believe self-determination at the end of life is their right. To require dying patients to endure unrelenting suffering, against their wishes, is cruel. It is tantamount to doctors abandoning their patients in their final hour of greatest need.

When all other approaches to relieve the suffering of a terminal illness have failed, assisted death is an extension of compassionate medical care.

Aubrey Hawk
Manoa

Change needed to improve UH

With the latest expenditure of over $1 million on the Stevie Wonder concert fiasco, it’s time for the Legislature to step up to changing the University of Hawaii Board of Regents’ accountability, selection, oversight and results.

There comes a point where leaders have to admit to being part of the problem or part of the solution.There comes a time when voters must ask themselves if their legislators are part of the problems, or if they are working to change policies, practices and laws that have failed.When leaders recognize problems and do nothing, we have what we have.

Voters must demand change if they want the UH to proudly represent Hawaii.If the Legislature does not change the current constitutional amendment governing the Board of Regents, all we can do is wait until the next taxpayer-supported blunder or election to change those in the Legislature.

Greg Schmidt
Hawaii Kai

Solar tax credits should be fixed

The 2013 Legislature must amend the rules for calculating photovoltaic energy income-tax credits.

While the Tax Department claims that its new administrative rules provide clarity to taxpayers claiming the income tax credit and support the state’s policy of reducing reliance on fossil fuels, its real agenda is to greatly reduce the amount of the income tax credit with the unintended consequence of killing taxpayer initiative to install PV systems.

The Legislature was on the right track in its House and Senate bills that eliminated the $5,000 cap and reduced the state tax credit to 30 percent. This assumption was widely used by solar companies to predict out-of-pocket costs for 2013 installations. The temporary administrative rules now increase those installations by as much as 50 percent. Future customers will install smaller systems, thereby slowing the state’s progress toward reduced dependence on fossil fuels and undermining our stellar state solar industries.

Susan Yamane-Carpenter
Waianae

More help for lower income

Hawaii is one of 10 states that tax minimum wage earners and one of four that tax those living in poverty. The Legislature and governor should increase the income available to low-wage earners by eliminating taxes for those below the poverty level and creating a state earned income tax credit program.

Hawaii has the highest cost of housing in the nation: 50 percent of residents pay more than 30 percent of their income for shelter, and 75 percent of those in poverty pay more than 50 percent.

We need to remove the barriers to creating truly affordable rental housing for families earning less than 60 percent of area median income by addressing land acquisition and utilization; reducing infrastructure costs; modifying unnecessary building code and zoning requirements; overcoming NIMBYism; and developing the political will for real progress.

Victor Geminiani
Executive director, Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice

Legalize lottery once and for all

It is time to stop guessing, assuming and comparing this state to other states on gambling (lottery) as a resource (money) for the state general fund.

For 40-plus years, gambling (lottery) has been illegal in this state, and as an advocate of legalization on this issue, I challenge all opposition.

The fact is, the only way to know that gambling (lottery) would or would not generate revenue is to legalize it once and for all to put this issue to rest and stop wasting taxpayers’ money.

Noel Muraki
Kahuku

Legalize hemp and marijuana

It’s high time to end the tyranny of marijuana prohibition in Hawaii. "Green harvest" is the proven cause of poverty and the meth epidemic here. It’s a failed social program whose time has gone.

Cannabis hemp is a natural, God-given green plant, an herb bearing seeds for food, fibers, safe medicines, spiritual sacraments and much more. It’s the most versatile and valuable of all the plants.

Hawaii has the weather, terrain and underemployed workforce ideal to meet the needs of a modern ganja-nomic future. Plant freedom now! Legalize all aspects of cannabis hemp this session.

Roger Christie
THC Ministry, Honolulu

Murder laws need overhaul

I’d like to see the 2013 Legislature conduct a thorough review and overhaul of Hawaii’s murder laws and pass legislation supporting resident victims of violent crimes.

After suffering the devastating loss of our loved one through murder, we were shocked to learn that the charge of first-degree murder applies only when two or more people are murdered; or certain protected classes of people such as law enforcement and officers of the court.Our laws violate the most basic constitutional premise that "all men are created equal" because unless your loved falls into a protected class, justice in full measure is unavailable.

Compounding the trauma, we learned that there is literally no first-response outreach or follow-up assistance — such as those commendable services available to tourists through the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii (VASH) — available to local families. Sadly, victimized tourists get way more aloha than resident victims. Auwe!

Noela Napoleon
Kailua

Time to restore GET exemption

In 2010, with the Legislature anticipating prolonged slow economic growth and a decrease in projected revenues for Hawaii business, it passed Act 105, SLH 2010, with a sunset date of June 30, 2013. Act 105 temporarily eliminated several general excise tax exemptions, among which was the GET exemption for contractors related to work performed by their subcontractors.

This GET exemption was established years prior to Act 105 to avoid pyramiding of GETs on multiple business to business transactions for the same project. By eliminating this exemption, projects cost significantly more to the final project beneficiaries, which consequently leads to a concomitant chilling effect on starting new projects.

Our group strongly supports restoring this exemption, thereby making for greater opportunity to start new projects, which is the very cornerstone for continued economic growth.

Shannon Alivado
General Contractors Association of Hawaii

Fight violence against women

Please address the following areas of Hawaii law:

» Gun control: We do not need more guns or shooting ranges in Hawaii. Hawaii has serious issues with domestic violence, military violence and suicide.

» Violence against women: Hawaii has a shameful record of keeping our women safe. Laws need to be created and strengthened to send a clear message to perpetrators that if you comment crimes against women — no matter if you live here, visit here or are a military "hero" — you will do time in prison.

» Health: Hawaii has clean air and year-round sun. We need to prevent smoking not only in our beaches and parks, but in condominium buildings as well. It’s long overdue.

Nancy Manali-Leonardo
Waikiki

Taxes, roads, air in schools

I have three priorities for the Legislature:

» Raise taxes. Switch from an excise tax to a sales tax. We have the lowest tax on goods in the country, and we wonder why we can’t afford to fix our infrastructure. I routinely travel on business to the mainland and pay 6-10 percent sales tax on goods. We should raise our "sales" tax to at least 6 percent. Consumers won’t even feel it, yet the state budget will get much-needed funds.

» Fix our roads. They’re embarrassing. Everywhere I travel on the mainland the roads are smooth as glass. A mainland visitor to our islands would not believe we put up with such Third World roads. Upgrade the asphalt we use, or pour concrete instead. I’m tired of playing "road slalom" to avoid potholes and poorly patched areas.

» Air condition public school classrooms. I cannot believe students and teachers put up with the present situation.We wonder why our kids struggle academically. I suggest the Legislature turn off the air-conditioning in their offices and see how productive they become in 90-degree heat.

Peter Rucci
Waialae-Nui

Honor troops back from Iraq

I would like to see the Legislature properly honor our troops who served in Iraq. When the war in Iraq ended in 2011, there should have been some recognition of their sacrifice, but sadly that was ignored at both state and federal levels. I wrote to my state representative multiple times a year ago with this request, but have never heard back.

The Legislature should select a day to honor the troops who served in Iraq. The day should include parades, school programs and, most of all, public thanks to those who gave so much. There should be another such day when the war in Afghanistan is over for those who have served there.

Michael Richards
Kaneohe

Young learners need good start

With Kamehameha Schools’ 30 preschools throughout the state and as the state’s largest private provider of early education, we encourage all legislators to make funding for preschool for all 4-year-olds in Hawaii a priority this coming legislative session. Each child deserves the best start — physically, socially, emotionally, cognitively, verbally, culturally and spiritually.

The ability to provide these crucial beginnings to the 1,500 keiki we serve in our preschools is a privilege and an honor, yet there are thousands who will not attend a Kamehameha preschool and will desperately need your help. Your decision to provide our youngest learners the best start in life is the right thing to do and we look forward to working together to provide this strong foundation to all of our island keiki.

Dee Jay Mailer
CEO, Kamehameha Schools

Offer sex ed in school for youth

Communities benefit when young people have the knowledge and skills to make healthy decisions about their sexual health.Hawaii ranks 17th highest in the rate of teen pregnancy in the U.S.

Ninety-seven percent of Hawaii residents believe that it is important for schools to provide education on sexual and reproductive health, according to a 2012 survey by SMS Research.Less than half feel that schools or parents are providing sufficient education, and almost half of adults feel unprepared to discuss sexual health with young people.

Just as we teach young children how to cross the street safely, because someday they will have to face the risks of traffic, we need to give our youth the tools to make healthy decisions about their reproductive health.

I support legislation to provide sexual health education in public intermediate and high schools.

Judith F. Clark
Executive director, Hawaii Youth Services Network

Improve care for rape victims

The 2013 Legislature should pass the Compassionate Care Act, which requires victims of rape be given the choice to receive emergency contraception in the emergency room.

Rape is a crime of violence, and the ability to prevent pregnancy caused by a rapist is a basic victim’s right.

Emergency contraception (EC) is not an abortifacient. Legislators should use sound science to make decisions on women’s health issues. EC is safe and effective, and can make an excruciating experience bearable. It does not disturb an existing pregnancy.

We have seen the insensitivity to victims of rape, as exhibited by U.S. Rep. Todd Akin of Missouri. The Women’s Legislative Caucus and other advocates have worked very hard to pass the Compassionate Care Act. Let’s not let another 10 years pass before we address this very important measure.

Marilyn B. Lee
Mililani

GMO risk must be addressed

My priority is asking our representatives — meaning, they represent citizens, not the money interests — to really think and research deeply about genetically modified products in our food supply.

I want them to go outside, maybe take a healthy walk to Foster Gardens and contemplate a tree, a bush, a flower, a butterfly. These life-giving, symbiotic plants and animals/insects took a very long time to work the way they do with humans. In a blink of an eye — and with shortsighted monetary goals — seeds and foods are being altered in such a way that media is virally stating: the next generation is not going to outlive their parents.

I ask representatives to really think about their votes with their conscience and knowledge, not with the present system of buying influence.

Kate Paine
Moiliili

Aid for inmates benefits society

Priority should be on bringing prisoners back to Hawaii by including monies in the budget for programs and facilities to prepare them to be integrated into the community.

Society has changed drastically from 20 years ago, and yet we’re operating our prisons the same way. To release an inmate with no preparation will only have him/her get back in the same cycle and return to prison; many of them hit "the wall" once they’re released.

Jobs are very difficult to find because of discrimination against ex-cons. It is difficult to cause a paradigm shift in the general public’s thinking that these people made a mistake and not all of them are career criminals. They have families and need a second chance. Working together with the community, the state can cut the cost of incarceration and improve family lives. So much emphasis is placed upon the homeless, consisting of many mainland people — let us take care of our own in prison, too.

Elaine Funakoshi
Pearl City

Do more against ocean poaching

The state has never taken protection of our reefs seriously. It has never meaningfully funded and maintained funding for the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement (DOCARE).

These are the officers who go out to catch illegal laynetters whose nets drown monk seals, turtle poachers, divers taking female lobsters and undersize tako, and the very unethical types that use illegal thrownets to take whole schools of oama.

Poaching affects all of us. So I ask that our state finally take a stand and properly fund DOCARE. We need frozen positions freed up, more fuel for patrols, and funds so the officers can effectively work at night when most poaching occurs. Our state has the funds; what we lack is the will to allocate them to DOCARE.

Darrell Tanaka
Haiku, Maui

Repeal law on ethanol in gas

Please repeal the law requiring 10 percent ethanol in our gasoline. It was supposed to spur island agriculture but to date, not a drop of fuel-grade ethanol has been produced locally.

Instead, this requirement has created fuel that is more expensive (estimated to be 15-25 cents per gallon over plain gasoline), produces fewer miles-per-gallon in all vehicles, creates problems for small engines like boats and lawnmowers, is incompatible with older vehicles and has only succeeded in enriching farmers in the Caribbean and the continental U.S.

It’s a great idea that hasn’t worked.

Phil Yasui
Kapolei

Legislators’ pay is a concern

In 2009, legislatorsreceived a 39 percent pay increase from the newly constituted Salary Commission.On July 1, the commission directed another pay increase for legislators of 25 percent from $46,272 to $55,896.

This greatly increases their 3.5 percent pensionsvested after only 10 years. Legislators credit themselves for taking a 5 percent reduction in pay in 2009, meaning they received only a 34 percent pay increase instead of the full 39 percent.Really?Legislators are required to work 60 days of the year in session. They complain that they workfull time during sessionand then attend meetings, work with constituents, etc. — but isn’t most of this really campaigning for their next election?

They should be willing to pass legislation that requires them to receive pay only from the state for the people’s work and not receive any outside "consultant" work for special interests.

Pam Smith
Ewa Beach