Molokai, Lanai part of state, too

The state Office of Planning has begun a series of meetings to explore the state’s land-use system.

Meetings are being held "statewide," yet none are planned for Molokai or Lanai.

Recently both islands were at the core of intense land-use struggles, with Gov. Neil Abercrombie threatening eminent domain on Molokai to obtain land for his Big Wind project and with Lanai’s majority (but not 100 percent) landowner threatening to destroy one-fourth of Lanai land for his share of Big Wind.

We are prime examples of the need to re-examine the state’s land-use policies.Meetings should be held on Lanai and Molokai. We vote, we pay taxes and we are part of the state.

Robin KayeLanai City

New bike lane goes overboard

Whoever thought of or designed the King Street bike lane went way overboard on it.

If you look at Dole Street by the University of Hawaii or by the Waialae golf course, there is about 2 feet set aside for the bike lane. You don’t need a whole motor lane for the bike lane.

King Street is a major roadway for the Honolulu area. You don’t take six lanes and make it into four lanes. On the makai side of King Street there is about 2 feet between the parking stall and the next lane.

Designate that with signs on the road and with the round bumps on the road. Changing H-1 from three to four lanes was a good job. But King Street from six to four lanes is a very bad idea.

Count how many bikes use the bike lane during the day. Is it worth the cost and time and the safety factor?

Ernie K. Itoga
Waialae Iki

Kudos for series on child abuse

As organizations serving children and families in Hawaii, mahalo to the Star-Advertiser for its series on child abuse and the child welfare system ("In Harm’s Way: Hawaii’s abused children at risk," Star-Advertiser, Nov. 16-19).

Even though concerns were expressed about the challenges in our system here in Hawaii, there was also recognition of significant improvement and some areas of outstanding performance.

The lack of resources, both human and technological for better data gathering and analysis, are major stressors on the child welfare system.This clearly has an impact on keeping our keiki safe and adequately supporting our resource caregivers.

We must address the resource issue squarely to make the improvements to the system that all of our children, families and foster parents deserve.

We, the following president and CEOs stand ready to support the Department of Human Services in meeting its challenging but rewarding mission: Jerry Rauckhorst, Catholic Charities Hawaii; Howard S. Garval, Child & Family Service; Laura Smith, Goodwill Industries Hawaii; Marian E. Tsuji, Lanakila Pacific; and Jan E. Hanohano Dill, Partners in Development Foundation.

Howard S. Garval
Ewa Beach

Foster parents deserve support

The recent Star-Advertiser series highlighted the complexities of our child welfare system.

At Family Programs Hawai‘i, we work with Hawaii’s foster children and caregivers. We recognize that the system is imperfect; yet we see people who work within the system, motivated simply by their deep love for children.

We see foster parents who give selflessly and adoptive parents who transform lives, one child at a time. Resources are available to these families and youth.

In 2013, 160 children found permanent homes through Family Programs Hawai‘i’s "Wendy’s Wonderful Kids," Department of Human Services and other committed organizations.

We work with DHS to offer statewide training, support groups and a Warm Line (545-1130/1-866-545-0882) that families can call to receive help. Our "It Takes an ‘Ohana" provides families with peer support and a voice within the foster system.

We encourage every citizen to join our mission to strengthen youth and families.

Paulette M. Bethel
President and CEO Family Programs Hawai‘i

Reardon should be more upbeat

It was a win. It was a win on Senior Night. It was a win on the last play of the game.

Yet, the first three paragraphs, and next sentence, of Dave Reardon’s column basically ripped the University of Hawaii football program and, by extension, the student-athletes of the university ("UH sophomore connection shows it can close it out," Star-Advertiser, Further Review, Nov. 23).

In contrast, Ferd Lewis’ column about UNLV’s quarterback situation was very even-tempered ("UNLV found its answer … but just a little too late," Star-Advertiser, Nov. 23).

Many sportswriters are former athletes. All, one would assume, are sports fans. Would it have killed Reardon, for just one day, to have celebrated our hometown team’s achievement instead of tainting it with his sourness?

Congratulations, Rainbow Warriors! Mahalo, football seniors!

Roger Kimura
Moiliili

Soldiers get generous deal

The reason most military personnel live off base is due to the amount of BAH (Basis Allowance for Housing) they receive in Honolulu. An E-1 thru E-4 is allowed $1,956 monthly with no dependents and $2,607 with dependents, per the military.com website. The higher the rank, the more BAH.

In the case of the five soldiers living together, if they are all E-1’s their total household income (BAH) would be $9,780 ("Military raises cost of housing," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Nov. 19). That’s a very hefty amount for rent, even in the Honolulu area.

Are they allowed to keep the remaining monies after they pay their portion of the rent? This does not include their base pay and other benefits.

Is this the intent of the BAH: to allow multiple soldiers to live in one rental and get tax-free money?Are landlords making individual leases for each renter? The military housing authority should investigate into waste, fraud and abuse charges.

Manuel August Sr.
Kaneohe

Ige faces tough financial woes

To add to the commentary about the debt "inherited" by incoming Gov. David Ige, the wage package for the state’s public employees is just the tip of a calamitous financial iceberg.

How about $700 million for deferred maintenance at the University of Hawaii, or the billions of dollars of funding deficiencies in the state’s retirement plan, or the decrepit condition of our public schools, or the Third World appearance of Honolulu International Airport or an aging Aloha Stadium that’s hardly worth its value as scrap metal? Or the state’s hospital system, which is broken in more ways than one? The list is endless, like an unfathomably deep sinkhole.

I wish Ige well.If, however, I were a betting man, it would be a tough wager to make that the state will be any healthier financially in four years than it is today. I suppose miracles do happen, but don’t bet on it.

Tim Guard
Waialae Nui Ridge