Audit rail before giving more money

Gov. David Ige should veto all bills dealing with any further extension of the general excise tax surcharge, as well as the appropriation of any present funds, and should ask the City Council to do the same pending a comprehensive state audit of the rail and the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation.

The revealed campaign donations to Mayor Kirk Caldwell, the cancellation of the $13.9 million FAST technology project for the state Transportation Department and the Hawaii Health Connector are but examples of government waste, lack of oversight, hasty legislative decisions and lack of concern for the public good.

The rail legislative audit should include a revisit of rail, including, as suggested in many letters to the editor, a shortening of the project, modification to an elevated highway to serve an expanded and more-flexible bus system, and the cost of operation/maintenance, especially in light of "cracks" already found at this short time.

It’s time for initiative, referendum and recall.

Mervin Ahana
Moanalua Gardens

Reusable bags are the best option

The upcoming Oahu ban on plastic bags will be upon us come July 1. Just be sure to know that the environmental impact of using the alternative paper bags will have a negative ecological impact.

The production of a paper bag is extremely taxing on the environment even though it may decompose better after use.

The making of a paper bag and the transport to our islands has high greenhouse gas and environmental toxin/pollution effects.

I am extremely happy this ban is finally going into effect, but the paper bag or compostable plastic bag option is not a very green one.

People should think about our Earth and be mindful to use reusable bags as much as possible. It’s a very positive habit.

Cindy Matsumoto
Mililani

Council on verge of forcing rent hikes

In its seemingly endless quest to find more ways to tax the citizens of Honolulu, the City Council now wants to increase the rents of every renter in the county ("Residential A bills deserve a quick death," Star-Advertiser, Our View, April 26).

The Council opened the door for taxing non-owner-occupied homes two years ago by charging such homes worth over $1 million $6 per $1,000 of valuation instead of $3.50 per — nearly double the property taxes of all other homes.Few people cared then about the "millionaires" having to pay more in property taxes.

But now Bill 33 would nearly double the property tax on every rental from $2,397 for a median-priced $685,000 home per year, to $4,110 — a $1,713 increase, or nearly $150 per month.

Of course landlords will have no choice but to pass on this cost to their renters.So in reality, Bill 33 would increase rents for every renter on Oahu.

Mary Monohon
Kailua

Redevelopment in Waikiki is good

I was pleased to see Sunday’s article about new plans for Waikiki ("Waikiki plan irks residents," Star-Advertiser, Money).

Despite the disapproval of some residents worried about the loss of their "sliver of ocean" view, this plan does much to continue the redevelopment of Kuhio Avenue, which is in desperate need of upgrading. It was great to see the approval of the Ritz-Carlton project, which is enhancing some of the seediest parts of the street. Now a new rezoning plan to change some of the street to mixed-use status will allow further upgrading.

As a resident of a part of the Waikiki neighborhood, which has been labeled "the densest population center in Hawaii," I would like to add that such designation doesn’t disturb me, since it has been done right and is extremely livable. I would add that the same will probably be the case on Kuhio.

Gordon Wolfe
Waikiki

Medical pot fees are all about greed

Legislators responsible for amendments to House Bill 321, the medical marijuana bill, should be ashamed. The $20,000 application and $30,000 renewal fee for dispensaries was the give-away. It was always about the money.

It started out well-intentioned — to get medical marijuana to those who need it. I have personal experience with a sister who relies on medical marijuana for her multiple-organ cancer to relieve pain, nausea, appetite and sleep issues.

Our one-party-dominated state presents no viable opposition to counter the Democrats’ thirst for taxation and over-regulation. Greed has taken a good and necessary cause and turned it into a money maker for the state. Lawmakers now propose general excise tax rates and surcharges of 25 percent. This is outrageous and confiscatory on sick people. There should be no GET or surcharges on medical marijuana.

Michelle "Mikie" Kerr
Waikoloa, Hawaii island

Seems like Hawaii is going nowhere

Sunday’s editorial and front-page news made me feel we are going nowhere except into debt and showing little for it.

The antiquated computer system that just cost us millions to finally shelve is an example. Rail needs a fix before it’s too late; where is it best to stop it, and what about maglev? Also, making zoning changes so we can accommodate the developers — how sad. All we seem to be doing is making the developers happy, the mayor’s campaign fund richer and the taxpayers sadder.

Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi has nothing on Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, whose acceptance of donations from rail contractors and their subs is even worse than pCard misuse. Both should immediately resign. Money, money, money! It speaks volumes and our politicians respond.

Do our suggestions fall on deaf ears? In reading about our problems, I am alarmed, concerned, depressed and, finally, resigned.

I feel helpless. I give up.

Jan Nilsson
Waikiki