Hanabusa was right to take on O’Reilly

In response to Tom Freitas ("Hanabusa’s outrage hard to understand," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Jan. 13), Bill O’Reilly’s comment that Asian-Americans should be conservative because they are "industrious and hard working" is objectionable for two reasons.

First, he is helping preserve a stereotype rather than considering Asian Americans as individuals. Whether his characterization is positive or negative, saying all persons of a given race behave in a particular way is offensive.

Second, O’Reilly’s suggestion that Asian-Americans should be conservative implies that their judgment is questionable, because they have adopted positions he considers liberal. That, too, is offensive.

Our community respects our commitment to our seniors, supports educational opportunity, stands by working families and helps those who need help. These are Hawaii’s values, and they — not preconceived notions of how "industrious" people should behave — determine whom we elect to office.

O’Reilly thought he could hide an insult wrapped in a compliment. Congresswoman Hanabusa did not let him get away with it.

Richard Rapoza
Director of communications for U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa

Police should stay neutral on policy

Should the Honolulu Police Department take sides in partisan political issues?

On Jan. 11, the HPD announced via Facebook that it is "opposed to the legalization, decriminalization, and medicinal use of marijuana" because marijuana use is "linked" with "an increase in violent behavior," "addiction," crime, and so on.

The HPD’s primary responsibility it is to protect and serve the people, yet the HPD risks sacrificing its reputation with the people as a credible and neutral law enforcement agency by joining in partisan politics.

What is next? Will the HPD take the position that abortion is murder? Will the HPD choose to support anti-gun lobbyists?

HPD’s involvement in partisan politics raises heartfelt concerns relating to the credibility of our justice system.

The job of the police is to control crime, not define what crime is or should be.

Paul Koftinow
Makiki

Homeless problem a blight on Waikiki

Concerning your recent editorial about the grandiose plans for the future of Waikiki, allow me to voice an opinion ("A good time to invest in Waikiki," Star-Advertiser, Our View, Jan. 11).

Nothing is going to ensure a bright future for Waikiki until the disgraceful homeless problem is resolved. The problem worsens year by year, yet the governor does nothing about it, the mayor does nothing about it, the City Council does nothing about it.

For many years I enjoyed showing visiting friends the sights of Waikiki. No more. It is now an embarrassment. The homelesshave taken over the parks, the sidewalks, the benches and in some cases the beaches, and beggars are everywhere, yet nothing is done.

My advice to potential Waikiki investors would be to delay your plans until state and city officials awake to this serious and worsening problem.

Robert Vogtritter
Waikiki

City must do more to maintain Waikiki

I agree with your editorial that tourism is rebounding and Waikiki must provide more venues for tourists to spend their money on.

Investments by these big hotels is a bright sign for tourism. The city must also do its part to perpetuate this golden egg.

I recently was in Waikiki and was greeted by people sitting on sidewalks selling trinkets, annoying passing pedestrians,just like they do in Puerto Vallarta or Cabo San Lucas. The big difference in Waikiki and the Mexican destinations was that Waikiki is dirtier and homeless people are lying on benches and urinating in the bushes. The stench and dirty sidewalks is a disgrace compared to Third World destinations.

Bobby Chang
Kaimuki

Bring back ban on contract arbitration

As governor, Ben Cayetano realized that arbitration awards in disputes over public employee union contracts tended to favor the unions over the state — read that the taxpayers. So he prodded the Legislature to abolish arbitration for many union contracts, which it did. But when Linda Lingle succeeded Cayetano, the Legislature succumbed to union pressure and reinstated arbitration.

The result was predictable. Now Gov. Neil Abercrombie is complaining about another arbitration award that he says could wreak havoc with the state budget. This oneinvolves the United Public Workers and more than 2,700 state and county employees. As Rep. Marcus Oshiro, chairman of theHouse Finance Committee, noted, the award could set off a chain reaction affecting negotiations with all other unions.

The solution is to bring back the ban on arbitration. Will Abercrombie and his fellow Democratsdefy the unions and do it? Not likely.

Carl H. Zimmerman
Salt Lake

Consider Makiki for Obama library

A practical use of Hawaii’s claim to President Barack Obama might be to establish an Obama public library branch in Makiki, the area where he grew up and went to school.

Makiki has been waiting for and wanting a library branch with all of the services of the statewide system ever since being turned down in 1976. At that time, the community had to settle for a small, city-sponsored volunteer library set up in the park.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has approved the establishment of a new library for Makiki, releasing the site-selection money. Unfortunately, a request will be last on a list of "promised" library buildings.

A better solution would be to strike a deal with the city and start a public library service out of the park location while planning for something bigger in the future.

Randolph Francis
Mililani