Ma’afala’s remarks cast pall on SHOPO

It is unfortunate, but every time I hear or see the word SHOPO mentioned in the news or in TV commercials, I can’t help but think of the ill-advised rant of SHOPO President Tenari Ma’afala against marriage equality.

Hopefully, Ma’afala’s anti-gay views are not representative of SHOPO membership or other HPD officers.

Despite his protestations that his views are personal and will not affect his law enforcement duties, it raises serious doubts about his ability to judge gays and lesbians without bias while performing his official duties.

How does he think gays and lesbians will view him if he is dispatched to assist them or, worse, arrest them?

Ma’afala should reflect on his ill-considered statements, particularly in light of his leadership role in one of our most respected public employee unions.

I certainly hope that the good name of SHOPO will not be hereafter associated with intolerance or homophobia.

Francis M. Nakamoto
Moanalua

Debate was about marriage definition

The dean of the Cathedral of St. Andrew refers to the witness he and others were making at the state Capitol in support of the same-sex marriage bill ("There is a reason we sang ‘Amazing Grace,’" Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Nov. 10).

He concludes by saying that his group "stood on the side of love and justice."

The inference is that those opposed to the bill (which included clergy as well) were not on the side of love and justice.

How very simple.

Our whole marriage debate has been framed as a civil rights issue: "marriage equality."

Sure, in this day and age, who can be against civil rights?

The issue is a redefinition of marriage. Throughout recorded human history, marriage has meant a union of male and female — not because of lack of "love and justice," but because the potential rearing of family is the most basic building block of society.

Bill Cunningham
Kaneohe

ACA right to cancel ‘junk’ insurance

Tom Freitas made claims regarding insurance policies being canceled that demand a response ("Cancellations required by law," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Nov. 15).

» The policies in question represent 5 percent of us.

» This 5 percent, known as junk insurance, generates 60 percent of all personal bankruptcies.

» You like your insurance until you get an expensive illness. Then your insurance company boots you off your policy and into certain bankruptcy.

» Freitas claims that new policies will cost more. The Congressional Budget Office states that policies on the state exchanges will be sold for 19 percent less; the wonder of improved competition in state exchanges.

» Freitas berates the president for claiming a $2,500 annual reduction. Massachusetts, which has had Obamacare operational since 2007, has had an average family policy reduction of $3,500 per year.

It’s sad that Freitas stands with junk insurance and attacks the president, when the other way around is so much more appropriate.

Rick Lloyd
Punchbowl

Obama has only himself to blame

The failure of the Obama administration in implementing the Affordable Care Act — and President Barack Obama’s inability to live up to his promise — is not the fault of the insurance companies nor the Republicans.

To quote former President Bill Clinton: "So I personally believe, even if it takes a change to the law, the president should honor the commitment the federal government made to those people and let them keep what they got."

Steven Norstrom
Kapahulu

Oahu has lost that old Hawaii charm

I lived in Hawaii for years prior to the ’90s and left my heart there when I moved back to the mainland.

I was finally financially able to bring my daughter, her fiancé and my granddaughter on a nostalgic journey for me and a first time for them in June.

I still love Hawaii, but the changes were overwhelming between the ’60s and 2013. A lot of the ambiance has been lost. The Waikiki I fell in love with and the hours of enjoyment just interacting with locals and tourists alike, is being priced out of the average tourist’s budget, replaced by all of the high-end retail establishments I could never afford.The International Market Place, too, is being replaced by another high-end development.

When I return again, it will not be to Oahu. I find Hilo much more like the Hawaii I fell in love with.

Diedri Young
Shakopee, Minn.

Push to develop driven by demand

John Hoover made a comment about developers and politicians working together at the expense of the rest of us ("Politicians work for developers, not us," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Nov. 7).

There may have been occasions where this was true. I doubt it’s standard procedure.

The additional comment that the mentality in play is "build it and they will come" is just an opinion. It would be more accurate to say, "They keep coming and it’s driving prices so high that you can’t afford a home anymore."

We don’t need more people saying, "I’ve got my piece of paradise. The rest of you stay out." Thisisthe U.S.A., and you can’t tell people they can’t live here. The sensible solution is to do what politicians and developers generally do: Provide for theneeds of the people and make a reasonable profit.

Politicians are answerable to all the people, not just thosewho alreadyhave their piece of the pie.

Gordon Wolfe
Waikiki