Letters to the Editor
By Star-Advertiser staff
June 15, 2014
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Senior living facility would be good for UH
I agreed with most of what Terry Joiner stated ("UH should host senior living facility," Star-Advertiser, Letters, June 10), with three exceptions:
First, the target market should be the middle- to upper-middle income bracket; second, the location ideally should be adjacent to or near the new University of Hawaii-West Oahu campus; and third, the model should be a campus-style continuing care retirement community.
Ten years ago, I along with a team of professionals planned a large senior campus on 40 acres of land in Kapolei.It was to have lots of open park space, walking paths, gardens, spacious living units and all health care components. Economies of scale allowed for affordable pricing.
The project was sold in 2004 to a mainland assisted-living firm, which encountered financial difficulties and the much-needed project did not move forward.
Today, there are more than 60 successful university-based senior communities nationwide.
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If planned well, a senior facility could provide much-needed cash to the university.
Nancy Schoocraft
Hawaii Kai
Gun crimes reflect deeper problems
Tony Locascio seems to blame the availability of guns for violence and killing sprees ("Gun violence seems to be unstoppable," Star-Advertiser, Letters, June 8).
Countries that don’t have guns still have problems, like guys walking into schools with a knife and creating chaos.
It’s a sign of the times that more crazies have emerged.With the proliferation of violence in video games, TV and social media, what can we expect from teens and emerging adults?
Also, there is the inability of some parents to control and discipline their children, and their denial of anything wrong when things go astray.
It’s time to look within ourselves, as a person, community and nation, to take responsibility for our thinking, actions and consequences. Assume ownership of the actions of family members and help steer their thinking in the right direction.
In this situation, making more laws won’t fix problems.They are just making feeble attempts to circumvent problems.
Ted Kanemori
Kaneohe
More fan attendance would help UH sports
From September to May, we in Hawaii are entertained by University of Hawaii sports.
Much of it is free entertainment, whether we actually go to the games, watch them on TV or listen to them on the radio.
Sadly, this free entertainment is taken for granted by many, and the thought of making a contribution to their university is furthest from their mind, yet they expect a winning record.
Now that our university athletics is in dire need of money, I think it’s only fair that these people step up to the plate and give back financially to their university as a show of their appreciation.
Of course,the entertainment level is enhanced if UH is winning, but that does not come without a price tag.
If you expect a winning sports program at UH, go to the games. If you can’t, at least donate.
Edwin Ikeda
Pearl City
Entitlements subvert quest for sovereignty
Kudos to Keli’i Akina for so eloquently stating the case against Hawaiian sovereignty ("Hawaiian sovereignty?" Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, June 11).
When one group of people is subsidized by another group, the former develops an "entitlement mentality" that stifles improvement, because failure can always be blamed on the other side.
As a group, Hawaiians (or more accurately, "part-Hawaiians," which describes over 95 percent of the population) already have sad problems with health and crime, but to create a subsidized Hawaiian nation or tribe would only make matters worse.
Hawaiians have made it to the highest ranks of government and business without entitlement, and to divide harmonious Hawaii along racial lines is bad for everyone.
Art Whistler
Manoa
Hawaiians want what was originally theirs
When did seeking to restore our freedom and independence become an "entitlement," as suggested by the Star-Advertiser’s June 2 Big Q poll ("What kind of future do you favor for Native Hawaiians?")
The Kingdom of Hawaii was pre-empted by the terrorist invasion of our internationally acknowledged sovereign nation in 1893, and for well over a century we have been denied justice. Can anyone recall wars in which free nations were invaded and occupied, and made to live under the dominion of their invaders? Would anyone deny that justice was served when those nations’ freedom and independence were restored?
Walter Akimo
Hilo
More doctors would help solve VA woes
As a patient of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for the past 20 years, I can honestly say that everything we have read about on the delays is true.
To solve the problem is very simple: Hire more staff, both medical and administrative.
On top of the normal shortfall of personnel, did anybodyknow that the VA’s primary-care moduleshave lost a number of doctors the past few months due to retirement or other reasons? Each of those doctors carried a patient load of more than a thousand. The remaining staff had to pick up that load.
We are constantly readingabout how bad the VA is, but there is also a lot of good. I can’t say enough about the outstanding care I have received over the years.
Bill Tildsley
Salt Lake
Oahu so crowded it’s becoming unsafe
A friend of many years called to ask about a documentary she had seen in Europe.
It showed our eight lanes of freeway traffic that comes to near-standstills during rush hour and special events. She could not believe what she had seen on TV and wanted to know if this was true.
It’s true. About a million gasoline-powered vehicles are registered on this tiny island of about 30-by-40 miles. And more and more high-rise towers are being built, which will add thousands more vehicles.
Would anyone allow building eight-lane freeways on Martha’s Vineyard?
Not a single official or politician has answered this question: "Where will we flee to when the earth opens up because of an earthquake or other disaster?"
We always see people fleeing at such times, fleeing from gas fires and exploding gas tanks.
We have no place to flee to. No open spaces. What little space there is left in Kakaako is being covered in high-rise concrete faster than we can comprehend. Where will we go?
Rosemarie H. Tucker
Nuuanu
Bergdahl deal likely best Obama could get
Regarding the Bowe Bergdahl prisoner exchange, the critics are forgetting that we illegally invaded Afghanistan. The people who live there had every right to treat invaders as they want, just as we would if the situation was reversed.
President Barack Obama brought Bergdahl back as he was obligated to do. We have to assume that he got the best deal he could under the circumstances.
Bert West
Kakaako
FROM THE FORUM
"Overdoses deadlier than car crashes," Star-Advertiser, June 9:
>> Laws become stricter, availability becomes tighter, product becomes weaker. Meanwhile, the individuals with 24/7 chronic pain who actually need the pain relief suffer the consequences of Johnny and Suzy unintentionally killing themselves.
>> From the story: " … nearly half the 270 deaths were linked to narcotics prescribed to the victims by their doctors." That means, more than half of these deaths involved people who had no business taking these meds. The teen who died at the party (and many of the others who died, I suspect) also had alcohol in his system. Now, if the all-knowing state had only made underage drinking illegal. Oh, wait …
——
"20 new Handi-Vans, just 10 on the road," Star-Advertiser, June 9:
>> The city is correct to flag all instances of poor work and slipshod construction. After all, the city — that’s us — paid for delivery of quality Handi-Vans.
>> The primary concern should be any life-threatening problem directly related to safety. Minor issues like paint color, width of an item, etc, are not areas of major concern. They can be worked on later.
——
"Plastic and natural materials combine as stones," Star-Advertiser, June 10:
>> Good. Now we don’t have to ban plastic bags. We can make rocks.
>> This is not so crazy. If this material can be used in building, it might be a great way to recycle and save trees.
>> What a stupid article. Someone melted plastic in a bonfire and now someone is trying to pretend it’s a new rock? This has happened at most every outdoor campfire in this country for a hundred years.
——
"Green energy funding sought," Star-Advertiser, June 10:
>> So the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism proposes a rate increase to the Public Utilities Commission of $2 a month for all electrical ratepayers? This is just another tax behind a green smokescreen.
>> There is no reason to charge ratepayers who already have photovoltaic or will not get photovoltaic to subsidize this loan program. Any fees to recover the cost should be born by those using the loans. Either charging a reasonable interest rate or allowing the payment to be added to the electric bill would work. Quit taxing everyone when it is not needed.
——
"Woman who died after jump ID’d as petty officer in Navy," Star-Advertiser, June 11:
>> I hope that there is signage there indicating that there have been multiple deaths of people who jumped into the ocean off the cliff. While locals may be aware of the terrible history, visitors would not be aware.
>> Folks need to know their limits, more so with the ocean. Just because you see someone doing something does not mean it is an easy thing to do. Visitors come here and see the locals do things and think they can, too. It’s just sad all the way around.
>> The military services must brief all their members on island hazards. These events are preventable. Enjoy all the fun the islands offer, but be safe.
——
"Sex-ed program’s opt-in considered ‘victory for parents’," Star-Advertiser, June 11:
>> Thank you, Rep. Bob McDermott, from parents.
>> The cost of having a baby and being a teen parent is huge. Make that cost clear and kids might do the right thing. Hormones are their most misunderstood confusion. They need the help, but let’s work on the real issues: responsibility and long-term health. Some details can be left for marriage.
——
"Greenwood ends 5-year career at UH," Star-Advertiser, June 11:
>> The University of Hawaii Board of Regents and new UH President David Lassner can put whatever spin on M.R.C. Greenwood’s tenure as president any way they want, but she was a disaster.
>> Not to let Greenwood off the hook, but the attention should be on the people who’ve been running UH in the background and selecting these presidents. It was well known that she came with a lot of baggage and shortcomings.
——
"Cayetano accepts apology from PRP," Star-Advertiser, June 13:
>> Do you for a moment really think that PRP has the slightest bit of remorse for its reprehensible behavior? It got what it wanted, and now it just says a few meaningless words and goes about its business.
>> Mayor Kirk Caldwell played along and pretended he didn’t know the shibai. That 2012 race was downright dirty and nothing to be proud of.
Submit a letter for HART’s time capsule
The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation intends to seal a time capsule that it will open in 25 years, and you are invited to be a part of it.
In a 150-word letter, give the people of tomorrow a glimpse into your transportation situation today. You could talk about your life dealing with traffic; how you get around, or what gadgets, favorite music or notable vistas are part of your commute.
Send your letter to letters@staradvertiser.com or to 500 Ala Moana., #7-210, Honolulu, 96813. The deadline is June 18. We’ll select the best letters to run on June 22 — and that edition will likely be placed in the time capsule.
How to write usThe Star-Advertiser welcomes letters that are crisp and to the point (~150 words). The Star-Advertiser reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and length. Please direct comments to the issues; personal attacks will not be published. Letters must be signed and include your area of residence and a daytime telephone number. Letter form: Online form, click here |