Helping homeless money well spent

The health of our economy has increased significantly, resulting in a state budget surplus — $844 million — but those funds should not be squandered, as often has happened.

However, it’s strange that there are many more encampments of homeless families scattered all over town than in years past when the economy was at its worst. For example, there are three families in tents who have been camped out for several months next to the bus stop at Kalakaua Avenue near King Street.

Our government must step in with positive action without further delay.

State and county lands could be used to create several non-fancy tent camps that have security, sanitation, water, lighting and electric services available to the homeless. The money would be well spent.

Jon von Kessel
Waikiki

Raise wage floor, save on welfare?

For many free-market advocates, including conservative newsmagazine The Economist, minimum wage laws are usually problematic because they fear artificially raising the price of labor will reduce demand for it.

Conservative economist Milton Friedman preferred taxpayer subsidization of the working poor, which we do nationally via the earned income tax credit.

But due to increasing income inequality, even The Economist now supports minimum wage increases because providing more taxpayer subsidies for the working poor is difficult for cash-strapped governments without raising taxes. Also, no empirical study cited by The Economist found any serious negative impact on employment from minimum wages less than 50 percent of median income.

America’s federal minimum wage, at 38 percent of median income, is among the rich world’s lowest. President Barack Obama’s proposal to raise the federal minimum from $7.25 to $10.10 per hour, while huge, would not exceed 50 percent of median income.

Should Hawaii’s Legislature follow suit?

Tom Brandt
Downtown Honolulu

Culling is not answer on sharks

I’ve been reading the recent comments asking for something to be done about the shark population.

I find it very interesting that we humans don’t consider ourselves as an "invasive" species in circum- stances such as this.

Yes, we do protect some species such as the spotted owl or native darter and restrict the drilling for oil every now and then, but when I hear of the call for the culling of sharks to save tourism, I think that the opposite should perhaps be done.

No, not cull humans, but perhaps restrict certain activities during certain times of the year or when sharks are in larger than "normal" numbers.

For all we know, the large population of sharks may be caused by an anthropogenic factor. In other words, the greatest invasive species, Homo sapiens may be the primary culprit.

Alan Teraoka
Palolo

Shoreline access is sadly lacking

It is a sad state of affairs to say that shoreline access is lacking in the state of Hawaii.

That could be the understatement of the millenium.

The Native Hawaiians were once able to live a life of subsistence with access to the ocean and mountains. Now that they can hardly do that anymore, that is a sad reality.

This should be worked on by the state government so people can go about their fishing and camping activities.

Fishing is not only good for the heart, soul and spirit, but it also puts food on the table.

In the town of Honokaa, where I reside, there is a lack of access to shorelines.

It is a sad reality, especially for the Native Hawaiians, who no longer are able to access fishing spots along the pristine Hamakua Coast.

Dean Nagasako
Honokaa

Let residents bet in state lottery

Would someone please explain again why Hawaii doesn’t participate in the Powerball lottery? The Mega Millions lottery? A state lottery?

I guess it’s OK to go to Las Vegas to bet the rent, but it’s not OK to bet $5 on a few lottery tickets?

Las Vegas benefits from all our gambling there.

Why not bring some home?

Michael O’Hara
Kaneohe