Taxpayers pay for homeless

Regarding Alvin Murphy’s letter, how very sad that the homeless would have to pay $200 to reclaim their belongings taken by the authorities ("Policymakers should try living on the streets," Star-Advertiser, Letters, March 3).

This wouldn’t happen if the homeless didn’t just assume they have the right to park themselves on city sidewalks, bus stop benches and doorways, paid for by taxpayers.

It seems to me the $200 is necessary to at least partially defray the cost of the homeless on the city.Does anyone notice?They so often have money for cigarettes and liquor.

Rather than going to one of the many shelters (never filled because they can’t take their drugs and alcohol with them), they prefer squatting anywhere and everywhere, using our parks and landscaping as toilets, and dumping their trash everywhere.Someone has to clean up after them, and it won’t happen for free.

Ann James
Waikiki

UH doesn’t need another study

More proof of incompetence from University of Hawaii President M.R.C. Greenwood, the Board of Regents and UH staff involved with the Wonder fiasco. An audit, external or internal, will only produce a written report saying what should be done to prevent such an occurrence in the future.

Is this needed? No! There already exists policy and procedural documentation within the UH procurement system that should have prevented this situation. It happened because the existing policies and procedures were not followed.

What is needed is a legal body with subpoena powers to enforce the production of applicable documentation identifying the people involved in the procurement system violations. This would not cost anywhere near $260,000 and it would reveal those who should be fired for cause.

Norman Tyau
Downtown Honolulu

Publicly funded elections needed

Mahalo for your editorial in support of publicly funded elections ("Partial publicly funded elections worth trying out," Star-Advertiser, Our View, March 2).

It is difficult to estimate the long-term price we all pay for elections controlled by corporate interests, but I think it must be at least a hundred times the cost of publicly funded elections.

For example, what is the long-term price of allowing Monsanto and Syngenta to use toxic chemicals on large areas of Hawaii agricultural land? A Legislature not controlled by corporations would certainly require labeling, but it would not stop there. It would also levy a heavy tax on pesticides and herbicides.

Neil Frazer
Kailua

Puna residents deserve better

Those oppressed can be just as guilty of racism as those who oppress.

But what is most disturbing about state Rep. Faye Hanohano’s behavior is that the presence of artwork initiated her outburst. What can we expect from her with more serious problems and challenges our state faces?

I was a Puna resident for 10 years and still own a home there. I am most sad that someone of Hanohano’s character now represents the fine citizens of Puna. They deserve better.

As a linguist and an interpreter, I would suggest that the Legislature hire a qualified professional interpreter when Hanohano uses Hawaiian, an official state language, in her work. Interpreters serve these needs throughout the world. A simultaneous interpretation is not only more efficient in terms of time, but it is bad practice for an individual to interpret for himself/herself.

Kevin Roddy
St. Louis Heights

Racist comments inform visitor

In the 43 years I’ve been coming to Hawaii, I can state unequivocally that other than the few islanders who look right through me on my daily walks, I’ve not been adversely affected by the brand of local racism expressed by the hateful words of state Rep. Faye Hanohano.I’m now thinking that maybe I’ve just been lucky and perhaps it is time to go somewhere else.Aloha.

Dave Fahrenbach
Tacoma, Wash.

Display more art from Hawaiians

I think people are taking Rep. Faye Hanohano’s remarks too seriously. Haven’t we all,at some point in our lives, said something we regret?

Yes, it was wrong to use racial slurs, but she did apologize and her apology was accepted.Hanohano is a proud Native Hawaiian and is someone who listens to her constituents’ concerns in the Puna community.

There are many native artists who would love to have their art recognized. Perhaps the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts should include them as well.

Although I am of mixed ethnic ancestry, I do have Hawaiian blood and therefore I can rightfully call myself a Native Hawaiian. It is simple: You either have it or you don’t. Native Hawaiians are proud, just as the Native Americans are proud, of their ancestry."E wehe i ka umauma i akea" which translates to, "Open your heart and be generous."

Kaleo Francisco
Pahoa, Hawaii island

Project harms Aina Haina

I am a longtime resident of Aina Haina and am grateful to live in a neighborhood where neighbors care for each other.We know each others’ families and we share stories while we walk our dogs or ride the bus.We exchange bananas, mangos and mountain apples from our gardens. We delight in sighting the flock of green parrots flying overhead and watching the fairy terns swooping over the trees. It is indeed a special neighborhood.

Many of us have also enjoyed numerous hikes into the upper valley, a place of beauty and peace. Now this serene place is filled with noise from heavy construction equipment, scarring the aina and destroying the remaining artifacts of the Hawaiians who once cared for this land.

The developer, Jeff Stone, is exerting his rights to deface the land, pollute the stream with runoff and bar access to the upper valley with a gate and extensive fencing.

It is sad that we continue to allow this to happen, that permits for development take no account of preserving our cultural heritage and the health of our environment and our people.

Val Mori
Aina Haina

Taxpayers can’t take more taxes

The governor is proposing new conveyance taxes and plastic bag taxes, and the mayor wants to raise the gas tax.What don’t these politicians get?

Most of us are hurting economically. We all want government to learn to set priorities, to live within its means, and to reduce waste and cut spending.

We’re already among the highest-taxed citizens in the country. We don’t want any new taxes! What don’t our elected officials understand?

Phil Yasui
Kapolei