Feeding homeless encourages abuse

If you really want to know how to fix a lot of the homeless and criminal problems in our fair city, let’s start by eliminating all these so-called charitable deeds done by tax-exempt churches that feed and sometime clothe homeless people in the parks and elsewhere.

The homeless masses set their lives around these scheduled feedings, only to use their governmental help, such as Social Security and general assistance and food stamps, for drugs and alcohol.

I know this because I was one of these homeless people who "depended" on the so-called good-intentioned people from every denomination.

Stop these feedings and the homeless masses will have to use their governmental assistance properly.

I’m no longer homeless.

Donald Simpson
Makiki

‘Buck’ is a real stud and he’s available

Your article on Cameron Datanagan and his collection of pigeons was fascinating ("Ewa resident promotes pigeon appreciation," Star-Advertiser, Jan. 29).

However, there must be thousands of us who hope to never see another pigeon.

My condo building has been invaded by pigeons, and I can attest that they can swoop in and trash a lanai with the efficiency of a commando unit.

We call the flock leader "Buck," a lusty thug with the deep blue hue of a .38 revolver.

His current squeeze is "Coo-Coo," a fluffy white stunner who has been in some state of pregnancy during our entire acquaintance.

Their progeny abound.

Buck and Coo-Coo might make a perfect addition to Datanagan’s collection. Perhaps he might come here and interview Buck, to see if he would be willing to move the family to Ewa.

One note of caution, though; the addition of Buck might signal the end of Datanagan’s purebred stock.

Robert R. Paddock
Hawaii Kai

Obama budget would help nation

It had not arrived when Republicans were proclaiming it "dead on arrival."

I am referring to President Barrack Obama’s 2016 budget proposal ("Obama plan would raise taxes to fund public works," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 2).

The president’s proposal, which is loaded with programs intended to foster economic growth and help working families, clearly delineates his vision as to what needs to be done to preserve the economic gains and ensure a more prosperous and inclusive future for ordinary Americans.

These programs would be funded by raising taxes for corporate America and those on top of the wealth ladder, which is fair considering they took the largest slice of the economic pie.

While no one expects this proposal will pass in the Republican-controlled Congress, it provides a powerful challenge to the Republicans to work with the president in enacting a legislation tailored to help the poor and middle working class.

Rod B. Catiggay
Mililani

LUC is intimidating and unaccountable

Removing the layer of Hawaii land-use planning known as the Land Use Commission would be a sign of more innovative and nimble government.

The respective county planning departments are certainly capable of handling complex development projects in a transparent manner without tutelage from the LUC.

I would wager to say that the quasi-judicial process of the state LUC is much more intimidating to a public testifier than speaking before their local planning commission and Council.

In addition, the scope of LUC rulings appears to have ballooned into a full-project review.

I should think that the elected officials and commissioners in Wailuku, Lihue, Hilo and Hono-lulu are best suited to make land-use decisions for the citizens they represent locally.

Kurt Wollenhaupt
Haiku, Maui

Free diving can be very dangerous

As a former lifeguard and spearfisherman, I was concerned that the article on free diver Kyle Gion failed to mention the dangers of shallow water black-out, although it did mention how much he pushed himself in his breath-holding training ("Going deep," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 3).

I am afraid others may try to emulate Gion without getting proper training.

Holding your breath for a long time can cause shallow water blackout, a "faint" due to lack of oxygen to the brain.

Without immediate rescue, the swimmer quickly drowns.It is most common among physically fit swimmers, spearfishermen and free divers.

Some tips, available from shallowwaterblackoutprevention.org, include: Never hyperventilate, never ignore the urge to breathe when you are in your dive, never swim alone and never play breath-holding games when in the water.

Robert R. Taylor
Nuuanu

Sell transit passes to help fund rail

Why not a daily transit pass surcharge of $5 for each hotel room occupant staying on Oahu?

"Mahalo Transit" passes would be issued at the time of check-in.They could be used for unlimited bus or rail travel throughout Honolulu for the duration of each visitor’s stay.

A "Mahalo Transit" pass surcharge would provide a direct and immediate tangible travel benefit for our visitors.Moreover, it would have the positive effect of maximizing the utilization of Honolulu’s mass transit while reducing street congestion and its accompanying air pollution.

Based on Honolulu’s inventory of 30,000 hotel rooms, and assuming an annual occupancy rate of 75 percent, the transit-pass surcharge could generate $82 million a year.

In view of these positive benefits, the surcharge should be adopted to address the rail funding shortfall.

Jerome M. Comcowich
Kailua