Complainers can leave Kakaako

I am sick and tired of the people who live in Kakaako complaining about how their views and traffic conditions will be affected by the master-planning of Kakaako.

They purchased their homes in Kakaako knowing that some day buildings might be built next to them. They want to live in town so they wouldn’t need to drive in traffic.

We should be thankful for these developers risking and spending millions of dollars to provide beautiful, affordable and market-priced homes for the people who want to live in a desirable area and be a neighbor of theirs.

Why are all of these units sold, with thousands on the waiting list?

Those poor people who may have their views blocked can move to Ewa.

I promise that their views will never be blocked. It will only take them an hour instead of 10 minutes in traffic to get to town.

Ron Funai
Ewa Beach

HCDA victory sad for future

I was disappointed to see the state House bill that would have dismantled the Hawaii Community Development Authority was shelved ("Panel shelves plan to kill HCDA," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 12).

A large group of citizens speaking for an even larger segment of Oahu’s population could not overcome the developers and the misguided labor unions who trumped the will of the people.

HCDA is not a "community developer." It should have done the hard work of first building infrastructure by getting developers to pay for the parts that would create personal profits for their companies. It simply opened the floodgates for unbridled development with no concern to building community. How do you have a community without upgrades to sidewalks, schools, sewers, open space and water?

HCDA is in charge of other areas, too, including Kalaeloa, the former Barber’s Point military base. The area is in disrepair.

HCDA may have won, but Hawaii is the big loser now.

John Shockley
Kapolei

Federal agents need restraint

There should be a state law restricting federal agents armed with lethal weapons from assuming any authority for local law enforcement without coordination with and approval of the appropriate state and county law enforcement agencies.

When local laws are affected, the feds should turn over the arresting responsibility to local authorities.

I have no interest in the Deedy case and a new law would have no effect on it. But I am concerned that people can act as federal agents and go around with a gun and a badge bullying people and shooting them for personal reasons.

This could get out of hand.

Russel Noguchi
Pearl City

Early education a welcome idea

President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address put an emphasis on early childhood education.

As a University of Hawaii-Manoa student with two younger brothers who also live on Oahu, I am ecstatic that pre-K education will be made a viable option for children.

The children who enter into kindergarten with no prior school experiences are put at a disadvantage to the children who are able to afford such an opportunity.

Pre-K schooling will give children a head start on their education, as well as an opportunity for their parents to send their children to school without breaking the bank.

Simone Terstegge
Manoa

Garbage ‘fee’ really a tax hike

Charge me $10 month for garbage collection and add it to my property tax bill?

This is not a service charge, it’s a tax increase and requires a vote of the City Council for approval.

Last I remember, when the city budget was approved, my property taxes already included fees to collect my garbage.

Also, if the mayor and City Council do end up charging me for this "service," I should have a choice to sign up for it or not.

We elected the mayor to run our city more efficiently. This is an attempt to disguise his inability to meet his budget with an illegal tax increase.

Brett Phillips
Kaneohe