Let’s try cutting city expenses

The mayor wants to institute a garbage collection fee (it’s a tax) and fees (also more taxes) for what seem like ordinary government services.

Is it just me or does it seem like everything government does increases the cost of living here?

There’s an argument to be made that Hawaii’s cost of living is at the root of every social problem we have. So, my question for our political elite is this: What are you doing to lower our cost of living, to spend our tax dollars more efficiently without decreasing services?

I think a serious answer is due, and that answer should be given every single year, not just passed off as a one-time, feel-good event.

Jeff Pace
Kapahulu

HECO dragging its feet on change

Since 2009, residential electric rates in Hawaii have increased by more than 50 percent, yet Hawaiian Electric Co. has failed to plan for the growth of rooftop solar photovoltaic systems, which can lower utility bills, insulate homeowners from rising fuel prices and provide a measure of independence for residential electric customers.

Instead, HECO is proposing to add hundreds of megawatts of utility-scale PV to the Oahu electric grid.

On one hand, it claims to be unable to accept any additional consumer-owned PV on its circuits, but those restrictions don’t seem to apply if the systems are controlled by the utility.

It is time to chart a way forward on grid modernization that is fair for everyone. Safety and reliability are important. Maximizing HECO’s profit and its control over our electric generation are not.

It is time for HECO to move into the 21st century or get out of the way.

Alan Ewell
Tantalus

Will state enforce Law of Aloha?

It appears state Rep. Faye Hanohano has violated Hawaii Revised Statute 5-7.5, known as "The Law of Aloha," by calling Japanese people "Japs" and asking if she should "eat people."

If true, these comments don’t reflect Hawaii’s renowned aloha spirit.

Here is an excerpt from the Law of Aloha:

"In exercising their power on behalf of the people and in fulfillment of their responsibilities, obligations and service to the people, the legislature, governor, lieutenant governor, executive officers of each department may contemplate and reside with the life force and give consideration to the Aloha Spirit.’"

Will the state enforce the Law of Aloha?

At Waikiki Beach Activities we believe in and we follow the Law of Aloha, not only during our workday but also in our personal lives. In our company, a lack of aloha spirit will surely lead to termination.

Bob Hampton
Waikiki Beach Activities

Some caregivers owed back pay

We share the pain and suffering of our fellow caregivers who have not yet gotten paid for three months for their services taking care of physically handicapped people.

We strongly abhor the negligence and gross incompetence of those who are tasked to pay these unsung heroes on time. Some of these two dozens caregivers are facing mortgage foreclosures.

We strongly urge the authorities concerned to issue their paychecks soon to relieve them from further financial problems.

Money is not a problem because the state has a big budget surplus.

State employees must show that they could do their job efficiently and competently. Otherwise the electorate might develop a wrong impression about the way they are hired.

Please show your aloha spirit. Picture yourself in the shoes of these caregivers. How could one survive?

Constante A. Domingo
President, Caregivers Association

Brower shows bills won’t work

Sarah Zoellick did an excellent job reporting on the plight of the homeless ("Bills aim to protect the homeless," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 18). But as long as state Rep. Tom Brower can smash up their shopping carts with a sledgehammer with impunity, it may not be possible to discourage other acts of violence against them, or prosecute the perpetrators, no matter how many Senate bills are passed.

Sarah Armstrong Jones
Captain Cook, Hawaii island