Greed is driving housing shortage

John Witeck’s excellent letter ("Homeless people are not a disease," Star-Advertiser, April 19) proclaims an important truth that deserves more attention: The rich and powerful have too much control.

Hawaii’s inflated housing market is driven by out-of-state investors, rich speculators and greedy developers.

It isn’t only the poor who can’t afford housing, but also a growing number of the middle class.

In a democracy where shelter is considered a basic right, those responsible should be held accountable.

General awareness of the plight of the houseless is increasing, but there still isn’t enough affordable housing. Contributing significantly to this problem is the housing stipend offered to those in the military.

The public is waking up, people like Mr. Witeck are speaking up, and more of us need to stand up — to confront wealth and power and economic disparity until the houseless situation is resolved.

Speak truth to power.

John Heidel
Kailua

Gaming resort here would draw tourists

Gov. David Ige and other state legislative leaders have ignored proposals to build an international gaming resort at Kalaeloa, which would include licenses and land arrangements.

Data and the state’s own economic impacts study of gaming in Hawaii concluded it can be done and could upgrade the economy by 50 percent with thousands of jobs created.

The projections show 15 million tourist from China or more could come to Hawaii. Their needs are medium and low accommodations, Mandarin-speaking in the hospitality areas, entertainment, gambling and shopping.

The construction has to start soon to meet the target on their arrival dates. Investors would be pouring billions of dollars into our economy with an agreement. If not, the loss will be billions of dollars, as they will seek out other destinations that can accommodate them.

Don’t let bankruptcy raise its ugly head, as the state has an unsustainable budget.

Jim Duncan
Aiea

Population growth is cause of our woes

The Star-Advertiser’s "Happy Earth Day" cartoon last week identified several noteworthy environmental crises.

Yet it was devoid of any reference to the single greatest threat to life on Earth: population growth.

The world’s population was less than 4 billion people on the first Earth Day in 1970. Today it is 7 billion, rapidly on its way to 9 billion.

Virtually all the crises identified in the cartoon are the byproduct of societies seeking to accommodate the demands of an ever-expanding global population.

China is a case in point: Despite generating more than half the globe’s carbon footprint and despite its stated concern about climate change, to meet the demands of its growing population China intends to continue increasing carbon emissions until 2030.

Environmental groups declare that we are winning the battles but losing the war. Indeed.

Perhaps the war should begin to confront unsustainable population growth.

David L. Mulliken
Waikiki

Police need some hand-signal training

Police who are directing traffic past the ongoing construction between King Intermediate School and Heeia Boat Harbor seem to need more training.

I’ve been yelled at three times over the last month because I cannot discern what they are indicating I should do.

Perhaps when the first car is approaching, they could step partially into the roadway, so they can be seen. Also, overhead hand motions are more visible than ones made at the level of their waists or bellies.

Wally Story
Kaneohe

End the rail line at Middle Street

At this point in time, I would call for rail construction to cease now. But instead of wasting what has already been built, end the project at TheBus barn at Middle Street.

The already-built sections for the rail could be used exclusively for buses that would operate like the rail cars.

It could also be used as a toll road for those that don’t want to fight traffic.

If we shortened the route, we would know exactly how much needs to be repaid to the feds and to pay off the debt.

We will not have to maintain a rail system as opposed to maintaining the buses we already have.

At least we would be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Honolulu cannot afford all of the costs of rail and this would help it avoid having to file for bankruptcy.

Brian Chang
Mililani

Get politics out of the tax system

Instead of tweaking the state’s personal income tax system (House Bill 886), why not make some constructive tax changes for a change?

Want to be "fair"? How about no income tax on everything earned below the poverty level (say $30,000) and a revenue-neutral flat tax for everything earned above? Also, no deductions. The only exception: retirees, who would continue to pay no tax on retirement income.

The advantages: Get the politics out of the tax system; everyone pays their share no matter what their status or ability to hire tax lawyers and accountants; a simple tax form; and easier for the tax office to predict revenue.

And how about eliminating the tax on food, medicine and inheritance? The "revenue neutral" income tax percentage could accommodate this.

Bottom line: Do politicians really want to help the people, or will they continue to help themselves?

Fred Fogel
Volcano