Thieves target store customers

Recently, while shopping at the downtown Ross store, I put my pouch down to try on a belt at the mirror. In the five minutes my back was turned, just a yard away, someone came by and pilfered my money and cards. It was so unexpected and quick that I didn’t realize my loss until I went upstairs to pay. The store wouldn’t let me view the video and when the police came, they couldn’t help me because the thief was wearing a cap. This was a total loss I had to swallow.

Now I know bandits trolling the stores are not only targeting the merchandise, but even the customers. Everybody and everything is fair game. We all must be vigilant at all times and at all places.

Milton Tashima
Downtown Honolulu

Oahu has lost its tropical charm

Aloha means farewell to thee, aloha means goodbye. I’m pretty sure we’ll never meet again beneath the tropic skies.

I was born in Hawaii and although I moved to the mainland in my early teens, I have returned to my beloved homeland nearly every year for the past 40 years. Each year I have noticed more and more high-rises blocking both the mountain and ocean views.

The traffic is even worse than L.A. Getting to the North Shore is horrendous, and just driving down Kalakaua is not a pleasant experience. The crowds have increased tremendously, not to mention the homeless lying in the midst of their litter along the streets and the parks.

When I found out that the iconic International Market Place is being demolished as well as King’s Village, and the number of condos going up in Kakaako, that was it for me. Next year I will definitely look for someplace else to visit.

Aloha oe!

Edward J. Wood
Long Beach, Calif.

Condo group appreciates law

On behalf of the Condo Transparency Group, I would like to thank the lawmakers who supported House Bill 2401 (Act 188), especially Reps. Scott Nishimoto and Angus McKelvey, and the governor for signing the bill into law.

It was the first time for many of the members to participate in the legislative process, and it was a very positive experience. The group consists of volunteer condo owners interested in improving the governance of condos. It illustrated that the process is about "government of the people, by the people and for the people," and can work for anyone who participates in it.

I hope that the new condo transparency law will allow more owners to create more open and honest self-governance at their respective condos. Complaints about a condo board or managing agent can be taken to the Regulated Industries Complaints Office (RICO) at the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. The Hawaii Real Estate Commission handles questions about state condo laws.

Laurie Hirohata
Advocate for the Condo Transparency Group (condotransparencybill@gmail.com)

Road risky for skateboarders

Young skateboarders often hitch a ride to the top of Round Top Drive and then come down the hill, reaching speeds of probably 30 mph.

I live on Round Top and my house is on the downhill side of the street just after a blind turn. In order to get out of the garage, I need to back out into the street. I had a camera on a telephone pole so I could see what was coming, but Hawaiian Electric Co. took it down.

I am afraid that one of these days I will be backing out when the first of the group ends up under my car. I would not be able to move, so they would all end up under it. If they tried to go around, they may be hit by a car coming up the hill.

In addition to harming the skateboarders, the driver suffers the trauma of being involved.

Fritz Amtsberg
Round Top

Help kupuna get a state ID

All of the horror stories of our elder population applying for a state ID are true — long lines and no place to sit. I found it easier to get a driver’s license renewal, even though I no longer drive or own a car.

The politicians always tell us they will "fight for the kupuna." So why don’t they "fight" to simplify the process with assigned numbers upon arrival, which would eliminate anyone cutting ahead, then being shown a place to sit while waiting. Simplify, simplify!

Margaret M. Giles
Waikiki

Israel attacks, Palestinians die

Eliana Halevi blames Palestine for Israel’s terrorism ("Bombings of Israel need more attention," Star-Advertiser, Letters, July 14). Let’s reset the chessboard:

» Palestine’s illegal occupation by Israel is the crux.

» The recent deaths of three illegal Jewish youths in the West Bank followed Israel’s murdering two teenage Palestinians — with no media contextual presentation.

» The count changes continuously, but say that 1,000 "rockets" have been fired from Gaza and 1,700 air, sea and land-borne Israeli bombs and missiles. Nearly double the number, and the firepower of even one of Israel’s bombs exceeds that of all 1,000 "rockets" — aka unguided firecrackers.

» The Gazans, resisting Israel’s recent West Bank rampage, are on a budget of enforced immiseration. The aggregate cost of those 1,000 "rockets" may equal the cost (probably paid by U.S. taxpayers) of one Israeli bomb.

» Gazan deaths are 200, thousands wounded. Israel: one death, a few wounded.

Halevi’s sister, who was in Israel, should like her odds.

Robert H. Stiver
Pearl City

Use LEDs for street lights

The only word to describe Robert Gould’s suggestion for in-pavement LED crosswalk lights is: brilliant ("LED lights could be in crosswalk," Star-Advertiser, Letters, July 11).

However, as we all know, leaving the job of researching and implementing this idea to the state and city would take … a while.

I’d like to suggest that the light bulb in the street light before and above crosswalks be replaced with LED bulbs. If possible, use a slightly different colored bulb, which would alert motorists to the upcoming crosswalk.

Replacing the bulbs currently being used with LED bulbs would save lives and money. Thank you, Mr. Gould.

Kelee Aylett
Kalihi

Hobby Lobby about freedom

I have a different perspective on the Supreme Court Hobby Lobby decision and believe letters to the editor that deplore it are uninformed. The Hobby Lobby case was not about health care rights. It was about religious freedom.

Hobby Lobby does not object to providing birth control to its employees. The company already does that and will continue to do so. The owners of Hobby Lobby object providing the means of aborting a child. They are devout Christians who believe life begins at conception.

Our country was founded on just such religious freedoms. We also have the freedom to choose our employers or who we do business with.

What’s appalling to me is the decision was not unanimous.

Bonnie Clark
Ewa Beach