Prosecutor should probe PRP smear
The recent revelations by the Star-Advertiser about Pacific Resource Partnership’s interventionin the 2012 Honolulu mayoral race raise some serious legal questions unresolved.
PRP spent more than $3.6 million in defaming former Gov. Ben Cayetano in order to elect pro-rail candidate Kirk Caldwell. This included the hiring of highly paid local and national consultants and media experts.
There were hundreds of volunteers who spent countless hours on the Cayetano campaign. Tens of thousands of voters who chose Cayetano were denied their votes because of deceptive advertising that we are only now learning about.
There is more to this than meets the eye. If PRP was willing to admit to spending that kind of money, how much more did they spend to ensure their candidate won the election?
It’s time to appoint a special prosecutor to determine if the will of the people and our campaign ethics laws were truly followed, and if criminal activity was involved in this election.
Pam Lee Smith
Ewa Beach
Tweak punishment for ‘sit-lie’ measure
The recent news that Mayor Kirk Caldwell is proposing to spend $47 million to house the homeless will only make the problem worse.
He may as well run newspaper ads on the mainland: "Welcome to paradise, free housing for homeless immigrants."
The current sit-lie ban proposals before the City Council need to be coupled with provisions for jail time. Before sentencing, the homeless would have a choice between jail time or a free one-way ticket to wherever they came from.
Yes, this might seem expensive; but not compared to thecurrent proposal.
If they elect to leave, they would have to agree that they will not return to the state of Hawaii.
Gary Kishida
Kakaako
DLNR biting more than it can chew
I live in Kailua and am concerned that the current Kawainui-Hamakua Complex Master Plan fails to detail who is going to pay for and maintain all the structures and trails that are proposed for development.
Because of budget cuts, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources cannot maintain and monitor existing natural visitor destinations in Kailua.
As the Star-Advertiser has reported, the Maunawili Trail is overburdened by too many visitors who leave rubbish, hike all hours of the day and use the woods as a toilet.
Maintenance and enforcement of the trail by the DLNR is seriously needed.
Hundreds of people invade the Mokulua islets off Lanikai regularly, with kayaks full of alcohol and BBQ grills. Both are prohibited on the islands, yet DLNR only monitors the islands during holidays.
DLNR is not resourced enough to take on an additional visitor destination in Kailua that likely will be overused and overlooked.
Michelle Pillen
Kailua
Don’t be outfoxed into endlesss wars
In 1776, our forefathers fought for independence so we could enjoy freedom.
They sought freedom from the tyranny of a monarchy, which, sad to say, appears to have been replaced by a small group of wealthy people and corporate organizations that are oppressing the poor and middle class.
Too many of the representatives who are supposed to be carrying out the will of the majority are at the beck and call of the wealthy corporate minority.
Uncovered in the Richard Nixon Presidential Library were reports on how he and advertising executive Roger Ailes were looking for ways to present news with a spin that favored the Republicans. The result is Fox News, where propaganda parades as news.
For example: Using words of mass deception, Fox has supported an unnecessary war that has cost taxpayers trillions and the loss of thousands of lives.
I hope America won’t be outfoxed again into a return engagement.
Stephen Burns
Mililani
Hawaii has some cost advantages
In New York Times writer Kerry Hannon’s article, "Cost of living spoils Hawaii’s retirement rank" (Star-Advertiser, June 23), Hannon quotes some ratings bureaus’ conclusions putting Hawaii at the bottom for retirees because of the so-called high cost of living.
I take umbrage with almost everything Hannon says.
Sure, the cost of living is almost impossible for low-asset and low-income people to retire in Waikiki or Kahala. But for the average retiree, try one of the smaller towns and live among the locals.
What isn’t mentioned is that pensions and pension income are not taxed here, and that property taxes, with the senior discount, are less than one-third of that in, say, California.
Also, we have some of the best health care systems on the planet, along with the best weather, water and clean, fresh air.
Art Todd
Kaneohe
Only pedestrian has 100 percent control
Every pedestrian has complete control over when, where and under what conditions he or she deems it safe to step into the street.No one forces them.
Only the pedestrian, not the driver, has 100 percent control over whether or not an accident will occur.
Any post-incident legal fault that may be assessed is irrelevant as a determiner of the probability and risk of an accident.
Until people understand this and public policy changes from blaming the driver to a more productive strategy, no significant progress will be made toward the reduction of the tragic consequences of a pedestrian’s lack ofcar.
Jack M. Schmidt Jr.
Kailua
How to write us
The 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 E-mail: letters@staradvertiser.com Fax: (808) 529-4750 Mail: Letters to the Editor, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana, Suite 210, Honolulu, HI 96813
|