Taxes too low on DHHL lands

An important correction needs to be made in the editorial, “Counties can help maintain DHHL homes” (Star-Advertiser, Our View, Oct. 20). Punialoha Chee, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands spokesman, knows better than to say that homesteaders pay county fees, just like anyone else. That simply is misleading. 

DHHL homesteaders pay the minimum property tax of $300 per year regardless of the assessed value of their home. With the median price of a home at around $675,000, the median property tax would be more than $2,000 per year, hardly the same as those on DHHL property. 

The City and County of Honolulu loses millions of dollars every year in forgone property taxes from DHHL properties. If anyone deserves county help to maintain their homes, it’s those paying their full share of property taxes.

Garry P. Smith
Ewa Beach

Support Chow and UH Warriors

University of Hawaii football coach Norm Chow and his staff should be given every opportunity to turn the UH football program around. Although losing, their games have at times been exciting. These young men have been playing their hearts out even while losing by big margins. 

Chow was an offensive and assistant coach at many high-profile programs that have won national championships and have produced several Heisman Trophy winners. Chow is a realist and he knows that it is all about winning. You don’t produce and win, it’s “three and out.” This is the harsh reality of coaching big-time football — nothing personal, strictly business. Go, Bows!

Steven Burke
Aiea

Appointed board bad for schools

The state Board of Education’s request for an additional $65 million, (including $25 million for air conditioning) on top the already allotted $1.37 billion, left me wondering, “Where were those billions of tax dollars going, while teachers and students were roasting in solar-oven classrooms?”

Beyond that, I’m thinking maybe we made a mistake in November 2010, when we amended the state Constitution to allow the governor to appoint the nine-member BOE. A majority of voters surrendered our rights to elect the board members.

The delegates who drafted Hawaii’s Constitution created a popularly elected BOE to ensure citizens’ oversight of the Department of Education. Now that we have squandered that oversight, the government has unchecked control over our keiki’s education, including quality, curriculum and financing. Are we putting too much trust in government?

Richard Morse 
Makiki

Warn visitors of water dangers

Residents and tourists alike love Hawaii’s beaches and enjoy playing and swimming along the shore.

Many of our visitors believe they are good swimmers, and they may be — in lakes and pools. But a great many are not familiar with powerful ocean surf and its cross currents. We learned this years ago after we took visitors to swim in such a place, only to find they were terrified once they got into churning water.

We suggest that the Hawaii Tourism Authority produce a very brief film, to be shown on all incoming flights, illustrating why swimming in a shore break is not at all like swimming in the calm waters of a pool or lake. Demonstrations and tips on ocean safety could save many lives.

Duane and Sarah Preble
Manoa

Take pride in Hawaii’s people

I’m responding to Donna L. Ching’s commentary “All of Hawaii’s war dead should be honored together” (Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Oct. 9). It brought me to tears; she is so right. Amen! Hopefully politicians will heed her voice. 

What’s happening to our state? Horrible roads, sewage problems, low minimum wages; spending where it should not; taking money from one place to pay another. 

What’s happening to our state leaders?

Let’s take pride in our “Aloha State” and for the people, past and present. 

Luciann Haney
Manoa