Akamai landowners welcome in Hawaii

I’m encouraged by recent news articles depicting wealthy landowners making akamai business decisions in helping the aina and growing the local economy.

Larry Ellison of Oracle Corp. owns most of the island of Lanai. He proposes to build a water desalination plant and a health care facility, increase photovoltaic and car-charging stations, and build another resort to help with employment needs. Paul Zweng of Ohulehule Forest Conservancy LLC owns a large part of Waikane Valley on the windward side of Oahu. His plans include bringing the aina back to a heathy native forest restoration free from invasive plants, and creating a taro and cacao farm.

The Public Land Development Corp. needs to take some lessons from these men. E komo mai to Mr. Ellison and Mr. Zweng.

Chris Jansen
Mililani

Mayor was correct to nix Okino nod

The Japanese American Citizens League thanks and praises Mayor Kirk Caldwell for his decision to withdraw Gary Okino’s nomination to the Ethics Board of Appeals ("Okino nixed for anti-gay remarks," Star-Advertiser, Jan. 26).

Okino’s anti-gay comments are anti-community and discriminatory.His comments do not reflect the judicious character required of any person who is entrusted with the ability to adjudicate matters that affect the lives of all citizens.The government should not condone homophobia.

Such intolerance for others breeds divisiveness that would certainly not strengthen our community and our families.

Thank you, Mayor Caldwell, for reaffirming the public’s trust — trust that would have certainly eroded had Okino’s hateful comments been allowed to pass without objection.

Liann Ebesugawa
President, Japanese American Citizens League Honolulu Chapter

Sugary drink tax yet more taxation

With all the focus on sugar-sweetened beverages and the possible new tax, I started looking where we already pay more for these drinks.

» A 5-cent deposit fee per container.

» A 1-cent recycling handling fee.

» A 4.167 percent general excise tax.

True, the first fee can be redeemed if you have time to visit a recycling center, but it’s not something we’ve fit into our weekend schedules. But now our government wants to add a fourth tax on our juice, sports drinks and sodas. Who knows what other "sugar-sweetened drinks" they’ll scapegoat next.

Call this new expense for families what you will, but it all adds up to our paying more at checkout. It doesn’t seem like fair legislation to me. Plus, the reasoning that it will decrease obesity is sketchy. There’s got to be more fat calories in a spam musubi or loco moco than a can of soda.

Thomas Rea
Owner, Kaimana Pantry

Caan’s apology raises questions

While it was troubling to hear the remarks made by Scott Caan about his impressions of life in Hawaii, it was equally disappointing to hear his apology. Apparently, his producers must have insisted he make these apologies to quiet the outcry.

We Hawaii taxpayers give the film industry — including the production of "Hawaii Five-0" — huge tax breaks for work here in the islands. While there are some tax revenues generated by filming here, I would like to know if income received by most of the principals in the show, including the producers, directors and actors, is sent to out-of-state banks? Do the big dollars stay here, or end up elsewhere?

I encourage our lawmakers to revisit the film industry tax credits and get answers to these questions.

Frances Cypher
Kaneohe

‘Five-0′ actor bites hand that feeds him

I was amazed that "Hawaii Five-0" actor Scott Caan has the audacity to bite the hand that feeds him so well ("Hawaii far from paradise, Caan complains to TV host," Star-Advertiser, Jan. 26).

In his interview with Chelsea Handler, host of E!’s "Chelsea Lately," Caan said he didn’t like living in the islands, the food sucks, there is too much crystal meth, and everything is in slow motion and too relaxed for him.

He also said his girlfriend deserves a Purple Heart for sticking by him because she doesn’t like Hawaii either.

He obviously lacks the sophistication to appreciate this paradise world renowned for its culture, food, lifestyle and aloha spirit — all attributes he blatantly disparaged.

The solution is simple. Go home and take your girlfriend with you.

Karla Graham
Hawaii Kai

Time to kill off ‘Danny Williams’?

Watching "Hawaii Five-0", I thought Scott Caan was just acting as an unhappy transplant from the mainland. Turns out he was not acting, based on a recent television interview. Now he has apologized but, really, apologies have little value.

The producers and writers of "5-0" can easily make Caan happy. In this season’s finale, "Danny Williams" can be tragically killed in the line of duty. Problem solved.

And Mr. Caan, don’t let the door hit you in the okole on your way out of Hawaii. Aloha.

Anne Sabalaske
Honolulu

Call airline and ‘Book ‘em, Danno’

Scott Caan should learn to be pleasant and appreciate his good fortune. I can only imagine the torture he is dealing with, missing out on all of his starring roles in major feature film work in California. Oh wait, that was his dad.

He must miss the brown cold mushy shore break of Malibu, where he can proclaim himself as a surfer that he wants to be. Bring on a new character played by someone who enjoys his job.

Also, I realize Hawaii has a crystal methamphetamine problem. None of my friends and associates uses meth. Of course, nobody in California uses it either, being too busy with drive-by shootings and car chases.

It seems Caan has a whine problem. Call the airline. Book ‘em, Danno.

John Waring
Kailua