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Fixing potholes isn’t enough sometimes
Kudos to our mayor, so far, for resurfacing many of our roads. But, quite a few of our city’s busiest roadways desperately need complete resurfacing.
For example: Beretania, from Punahou and Punchbowl; Kalakaua, between McCully and Beretania. Also, Kapiolani, from Kalakaua to Ward, have been neglected for far too long.
It’s a shame, but right after Kapiolani was last resurfaced, most of it was dug up for major plumbing work and was not properly resurfaced afterward.
Potholes, ruts and uneven patching have thwarted previous repair efforts.
Please give these roadways proper resurfacing as soon as possible.
Jon von Kessel
Waikiki
Johanson changed parties but not views
I am a registered Democrat in the Salt Lake area. I vote Democrat on every section of the ballot except for state House, where I have supported state Rep. Aaron Ling Johanson.
Johanson has appeared at my door countless times, and not only during election time. We don’t simply exchange pleasantries; I ask him tough questions. I always come away impressed with his ideas and eloquent nature.
He has now been accused of misleading voters in our area. I disagree with that.
If you take the time to get to know your candidate, you will know what they believe in and what they are striving for. I don’t think he plans on changing any of his views he has previously expressed to me and my family.
I believe the local GOP just lost its greatest asset, one who could have brought a lot more people to the withering GOP.
Wai Shan Yanagi
Foster Village
Arms treaty should be a Senate priority
Thank you to Carolyn Stephenson for the good news: Implementation of the international Arms Trade Treaty is a step forward toward responsible management of the vast trade in lethal weapons ("International arms trade pact something worth celebrating," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Jan. 1).
I would have missed this event without Stephenson’s clear and concise description of what the treaty can and cannot do. Most important for me is that the U.S., which sells more weapons than any other country, ratify this treaty to show our good faith in being a responsible global power.
The new Senate should make this a priority in a world dangerously awash in lethal weapons. This issue should transcend political party interests. Who wouldn’t want some basic and responsible controls on an issue clearly important for our national security?
Beppie Shapiro
Kaimuki
Homelessness goes back to ’60s reforms
Yes, there is "no need to study homelessness" (Star-Advertiser, Letters, Dec. 31) but Smoky Guerrero shouldn’t blame Ronald Reagan.
An Oct. 30, 1984 article in The New York Times, "How Release of Mental Patients Began," explained how 1960s reforms resulted in the shutdowns of large state hospitals in favor of community mental health centers (first suggested in the 1950s) which were never adequately funded.
Civil libertarian lawyers and the American Civil Liberties Union pushed an agenda that resulted in a 1975 Supreme Court decision,
O’Connor v. Donaldson, which found a constitutional right to liberty for mental health patients.
By the 1970s, sympathetic courts had made it virtually impossible for patients to be involuntarily committed. When state budgets were tightened, mental hospitals and outpa-
tient facilities took the hit.
As for conservatives not caring about the homeless, Guerrero should visit the River of Life Mission downtown and see how it cares for the poor and the homeless.
No federal or state funding, just us conservatives.
Carol R. White
Lower Punchbowl
Hawaii lucky to call Mariota a native son
A leader, a team player, a student athlete and a great human being with Hawaii ties has made all people in Hawaii, and all islanders who no longer live in Hawaii, very proud ("Mariota leads the way in a historic semifinal," Star-Advertiser, Jan. 2).
The whole island was watching University of Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota represent his school and his home state with such class and respect.
His soft-spoken words are never about himself, but of his team, his coaches, his parents, his school and, of course, the people of Hawaii.
We should be so lucky to call him our native son. May this be another stepping stone for our talented students to follow in such a mature and respectful way.
Shoutouts to the Mariota ohana. We thank you from our hearts.
Bill Pirtle
Waipahu
FROM THE FORUM
Readers of the Star-Advertiser’s online edition can respond to stories posted there. The following are some of those. Instead of names, pseudonyms are generally used online. They have been removed.
“Judge criticizes city’s bungled prosecution in tossing indictment,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 29:
>> Too many mistakes from that office.
>> Judge Lee did the right thing sending a message to the prosecutor’s office, do it the right way or go back to school.
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“Affordable housing limited as vacationers stream into neighborhoods,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 29:
>> Enforce the law. The purpose of residential zoning is to provide housing opportunities to residents. Vacation rentals belong in resort zoning only. Period. Those who operate illegal vacation rentals are motivated by greed.
>> It’s too late to enforce the law. No enforcement for so long equates to consent. Allow mixed zoning and pass reasonable regulations.
>> At the end of the day, Oahu is just not a place to raise a middle-class family. If you try to do so, you will never be able to retire and will more than likely work yourself into a grave. The smart ones move away, raise their families in an affordable setting and possibly come back in retirement when they can afford to. It is sad, but just a fact of life. Continue to vote in liberal tax-and-spend politicians (or fail to even vote) who do absolutely nothing to lower the cost of living here, and it will only get worse.
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“Traffic woes in Lanikai soar during holiday,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 30:
>> Boo-hoo. Try getting out of Waianae on a regular morning.
>> What do you expect? We spend millions to promote tourism and then complain because tourists actually go and do something while they are here.
>> Shuttles could be a simple solution.
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“GOP Rep. Johanson shifts to Democratic Party,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 30:
>> He does not represent my district so I don’t have a dog in the fight, but I hope every person who voted for him sends him a personal letter asking him why he abandoned them and their party.
>> I say he abandoned the people who elected him. He should resign immediately, if not sooner.
>> Absolutely. A special election for that district.
>> If he was a Democrat switching party to a Republican, the Democrats would have called for special election.
>> “Those are my principles, and if you don’t like them … well, I have others.” —Groucho Marx.
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“Auditor criticizes UH special funds and accounts,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 31:
>> Maybe there’s still money in the Stevie Wonder Concert fund.
>> If you look at the state auditor’s website (reachable through the Legislature’s website) you’ll see similar findings on most other department special funds audits. Not financial shenanigans but just not meeting the legal requirements.
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“City halfway to mayor’s repaving goal,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 31:
>> I sure hope Kapahulu Avenue is very close to the top of the list. It is horrible to drive on that road and shameful since it’s one of the routes into Waikiki.
>> At 100 million a year they will never catch up. Most repaired roads will already have fallen into disrepair when they come around again at this slow pace.
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“Fukumoto Chang leads House GOP,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 2:
>> It will be interesting to see what Beth Fukumoto Chang considers as working hard. She didn’t really say much about what her goals are or how she views the Republican Party. Where does she want the Republican Party to go?
>> Ann Kobayashi, Lei Ahu Isa, Will Espero, Donna Ikeda, etc. were all Republicans when the Republican Party was focused on fiscal responsibility. It’s primary focus at present is social issues. Beth Fukumoto Chang is the wife of former Hawaii Republican Party Chairman David S. Chang, who is a conservative Christian minister, among his other professional capacities. Ditto Duke Aiona and his recent running mate, Elwin Ahu. Does anyone need to ask whether the Hawaii Republican Party has morphed into a church?
———
“Mariota leads the way in a historic semifinal,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 2:
>> Great job, Super Mariota. Good luck against Ohio. You are simply the best!
>> Wow! Did Oregon smoke Florida State or what?
>> Florida State was unfortunately overrated this year. The game was not very competitive and boring. Oregon deserved to play a better team.
>> You’re the man, Marcus Mariota! So humble, too. He always gives credit to the team, not himself.
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 |