Homeless also camp at Waikiki entrance
This is a follow-up to the Honolulu Museum of Art director’s letter about the homeless encampments in Thomas Square ("Let’s find a way to restore grandeur of Thomas Square," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Jan. 23).
Visitors and residents of the Waikiki area have a similar situation on the streets near the Hawaii Convention Center. The worst is on Kalakaua Avenue fronting the Ala Wai and Reynold’s recycling site.
There are many semi-permanent shelters from 10 to 40 feet long. They include shopping carts, grills and bicycles. If I built such a structure on my private property, the city would fine me and force me to remove it. The homeless apparently can build where they want to. Needless to say, these shelters do not meet minimum codes for occupancy.
The mayor, City Council members and the chief of police must know the problem exists, since their staffs pass these camps every day.
I know these people need to be assisted, but they also need to conform to the community’s rules and not make Waikiki an eyesore.
Howard Wiener
Waikiki
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Bring back beautiful Thomas Square park
Auwe to that eyesore Thomas Square has become.
It seems like the city, state and police department have no control over this so-called de-occupy/homeless encampment with more than 20 tents. They wash their clothes and lay it over the wall to dry, lay it all outover the grassy area to dry. When will this stop?
There are sofas, chairs, bookshelves, even a bed. They all know that once their property is tagged by the city, all they need to do is pack up and move for the next day and then return in a few days, because it will be months before they are tagged again.
What a sight for the tourists, who come to this beautiful state and visit the awesome Honolulu Museum of Art across the street by the busload.
When will something permanent be done? Please help bring back our beautiful Thomas Square.
Mark McGuire
Makiki
Preschool a privilege, not an entitlement
I applaud Cathy Fukunaga’s article ("Trained parents have better effect on children than universal preschool," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Jan. 27).
Her point regarding preschool as a privilege and not an entitlement is spoton.
Parents need to demonstrate their vested interest and make what sacrifices are necessary for the sake of education. We can demonstrate this to our keiki inword, deed, time and money.
Those like me who are in grant/ tuition programs volunteer our time, even if it means late nights cutting paper shapes or helping prepare Christmas tree sales on a chilly December morning.
Sacrificing weekend movies and taking home lunch to work are a few smallways to dedicate budgeted funds toward the costs of education.
A parent’s viewpointon the importance of investing in his or her children’s education is more influential on a child’s willingness to learn than any entitlement government can offer.
Brenda Ryan
Makakilo
Don’t let 4-year-olds fall into learning gap
Can you imagine 6,000 4-year-old children beginning in the 2014-15 school year not having a preschool experience before entering kindergarten?
We all know 85 percent of a child’s brain develops during the early years, from birth to 5 years old, and children who had preschool experience are more likely to be successful throughout their educational journey.
We cannot let our 4-year-old children fall in the gap. We need to make sure families can access and afford preschool for their 4-year-olds.
We need our state to support enough funding so that all children can experience early learning prior to kindergarten.
Let’s show America what the spirit of aloha and malama entail by joining hearts with Good Beginnings Alliance and Be My Voice! Hawaii.
Lehua Rowland
Waianae
Okino had courage to speak his mind
When I was a child, my parents used to tell me that "just because everybody else is doing something, doesn’t make it right." So, I was taken aback when columnist David Shapiro told us that legislators should approve same-sex marriage in Hawaii because "the tide of history … is moving the United States toward marriage equality" and"public opinion is shifting."
Fortunately, we have public officials like Gary Okino who has the courage to say what he believes and does not kowtow topolitical pressure. Unfortunately, it seems that our mayor is inclusive only when you agree with him, so hedismissed Okino from consideration on the Ethics Board of Appeals.
This seems to be a trend in our country: to push for inclusiveness but not include those of differing opinions. It sure sounds like a veiled attempt at exclusiveness.
Peter Junker
Waikiki
Women in combat not welcome trend
This must be a sign of the upcoming apocalypse: women who want battlefield assignments.
Seriously, I am for equal rights, and I think women will do OK. But is this really a sign of progress and something good?
Men used to fight because they were thinking of the women and children back home and wanting to spare them from the horrors of war — which can include losing your life. And women, at one time, were probably more "dovish" and non-violent. They were able to lead movements for peace and promote non-violent ways of dealing with conflicts.
But who is to put the brakes on mankind’s warring madness now —now that women are an equal partner in our war games? Our civilization is coming to the point where being at war has become a way of life, becoming more accepted and even valued.
Roman Leverenz
Salt Lake
Teachers still need help regarding pay
Several days ago, this newspaper ran four different letters complaining about actor Scott Caan’s comments regarding Hawaii.
Meanwhile, Hawaii’s teachers are nearing the end of their second year without a contract and are still being disrespected by the state, the Department of Education, the Labor Board and the governor.
I get that an actor saying the food sucks hurts, but maybe our island needs to focus that anger and energy in more productive places. Caan will eventually move on and when he does, Hawaii’s teachers will still be the worst paid in the nation.
Please, help Hawaii’s teachers by speaking up for us with that same island pride and energy an actor brings out. We need you with us.
Doug Robertson
Mililani
People who litter marring environment
On my weekend walks at Sandy’s, I have noticed lots of trash on the beach.At first I got angry because it seems like no one cares — which I know is not true.It’s not only tourists, but also people who do not think.I started bringing a glove and plastic shopping bag when I go on my walks, to pick up trash.A lot of the trash is made up of cigarette butts.I don’t care if people choose to smoke and pollute their lungs, but their cigarette butt trash ends up in the ocean. Auwe!
People who litter should pick up their opala and be good stewards of our environment.
Karen Chang
Kaimuki