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Keep rein on Kakaako growth
The editorial, "Keep eye on money and politics" (Star-Advertiser, Our View, April 2) should be read by all who care about what is happening to Hawaii.
We are letting big money be the driver of land decisions, which is totally self-destructive.
There is no lack of money ready to invest in insensitive developments. We have to hold not only the developers but the groups that approve the projects to a higher standard than has been allowed so far.
Going up rather than creating sprawl has its merits. But it has to be done with some sensitivity to the overall picture.The infrastructure should include not just water, electricity and sewers but the amenities that make the area desirable, including green space and available accommodationsfor a community’s needs.
The editorial’s last paragraph should be a wake-up call: "The public must understand what’s powering politics, and vote accordingly. Otherwise, the reins steering the future of this state move beyond their grasp."
Mary Louise O’Brien
Kaneohe
Reardon should stick to the facts
What is going on with our daily newspaper allowing a columnist to vent his frustration with another person on the newspaper’s front page? ("Coach’s tantrum adds another loss to bleak record," Star-Advertiser, Further Review, April 2).
Was this more important than the earthquake in Chile and possible dangerous tidal surge here?
Why did Dave Reardon take the low road (lack of professionalism his words) when writing about a public figure? He should just investigate, write the facts and let us, the public, decide.
University of Hawaii football Coach Norm Chow should have talked to the columnist himself and not have someone else ask himto leave. Coaching is a rough job, on and off the field. If at times it hurts too much,he needs to put on full pads.
Last of all, UH needs to sendthe messagethat education is first, and everything else, including sports, comes second.
Vincent Hee
Mililani
Obamacare is a good deal
I would like to thank Nanette Napoleon for pointing out how good a deal Obamacare is ("A consumer’s complaint: Connector no help at all," Star-Advertiser, Insight, March 23).
She gets health insurance for only $11 a month after tax credits. That is affordable. Her deductible is $6,350, but she would be able to decrease her deductible if she were willing to pay more premium than $11 a month.
I pay the full premium because my income is too high to qualify for tax credits. I don’t mind doing this, because I know that people with less income who are needier than I am are now able to get affordable health insurance through this plan.
Lansdale Lau, M.D.
Nuuanu
Not so simple to dissolve OHA
There has been some misguided speculation over state Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee Peter Apo’s commentary ("OHA trustees committed to self-determination process for Hawaiians," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, March 19).
Apo says that "trustees voted to adopt a plan that, in its final phase, will see OHA dissolved."
Saying this sets a dangerous precedent for the state. OHA was created by a constitutional amendment by Hawaii voters in 1978.
It cannot be dissolved except by another constitutional amendment voted upon by all voters.
No formation of a "new" nation exclusively for those with Native Hawaiian bloodlines, who sign up to be members,can change Hawaii’s Constitution by waving a magic wand.
It would also be a violation of trust law for OHA to attempt to transfer its assets to a newly formed racial entity that serves only those who belong to the "club" and not all native Hawaiians.
Earl Arakaki
Ewa Beach
Pot legalization needs more time
A few months is nowhere near enough time to know the effects of legalizing marijuana in Washington and Colorado, except for the obvious, i.e. millions of dollars collected in paka-lolo taxes ("Time to legalize marijuana is now," Star-Advertiser, March 29).
I worry about the statistics we’ll begin to see in the form of traffic fatalities due to "buzzed" drivers. Don’t pretend this won’t happen.
I ask our lawmakers to act responsibly. After all, we have an innate duty to protect each other.
Fill our coffers, but not on the backs of the poor judgment of others.
Trish Lopez
Kalihi
CORRECTION: Mary Louise O’Brien wrote the letter on Kakaako growth. An earlier version of the letters to the editor and the letters that appeared in Friday’s paper misspelled her middle name.