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The very first objective cited in the General Plan for Honolulu is “to control the growth of Oahu’s resident and visitor populations in order to avoid social, economic, and environmental disruptions.”
How are ADUs (accessory dwelling units) consistent with this objective? They will result in unrestricted further growth.
Qualified lots need to be a minimum of 3,500 feet. But that is already the minimum lot size for residential zoning. How is that a mitigation?
In our neighborhood, on-street parking for residents threatens safe traffic flow already. Additional parking by ADUs will only exacerbate the situation. We all know that parking requirements will never be properly enforced. Rather than ruining existing neighborhoods, build truly affordable units on properly zoned lands, following the dictates of the General Plan.
In his book “The Lands of Hawaii — Their Use and Misuse,” Thomas Creighton said that “environmental overloads are caused by one major factor: uncontrolled population.”
Those prophetic words were written nearly 40 years ago.
Art Mori
Aina Haina
North Shore needs great attention, too
It’s great that Ala Moana Beach Park is getting much-needed repair and upkeep, but the North Shore is getting the short end of the stick.
About 50 percent of visitors to Oahu come to the North Shore and many local residents use the area for recreational activity, but our infrastructure is lacking.
In 2012, a North Shore visitors study conducted by Brigham Young University Hawaii found that the No. 1 complaint from visitors concerned our lack of infrastructure.
The North Shore is an amazingly beautiful place, but we need some help.
We need walkways in Haleiwa, more and better maintained bathroom facilities, better serviced parks and playgrounds and improved handicap access. We need a road around Laniakea and Chun’s Reef so that we can alleviate the traffic gridlock and facilitate safe access for visitors and locals.
Bill Martin
Sunset Beach
Trump besmirched reputation of POWs
As a POW/MIA wife and an advocate for all POWs and MIAs, I would like to say that what Donald Trump had to say in Iowa about U.S. Sen. John McCain was a smirch on my husband, Jim Hickerson, a Vietnam POW, and all the other POWs who underwent conditions in the prisons of Vietnam that most of us cannot begin to imagine.
Trump has failed to realize that it was not the fact that McCain was shot down and captured, but how he conducted himself as a POW that has made Americans proud of what McCain and all our POWs went through.
It was enduring the never-ending torture and deprivation of the Vietnam POW camps that has brought about the word “hero” for our returned POWs.
Perhaps even more important, it was their undying support for our country and all its values, under the most trying of circumstances, that has brought real meaning of that word for them.
Shame on Trump for his statement.
Carole Hanson Hickerson
Nuuanu
Trump is hardly a shrinking violet
With regard to Donald Trump: What’s not to like about a man who wears his ego on his sleeve?
Tom Strickland
Alewa Heights
Funds already exist to help victims of rail
If it is not clear that federal policy allows rail funds to compensate impacted businesses, why should the City Council even consider it when there already is a funding source (“Rail taxes sought to help businesses,” Star-Advertiser, July 23)?
The governor could immediately call a special session of the Legislature that would enable all of those members who voted to extend the rail surcharge to vote for using the 10 percent being “raked off” (probably $150 million to date) into its general fund to be applied to aid businesses in the path of rail construction.
It is time for the state to get off the gravy train and do something positive for rail.
Frank Genadio
Kapolei
‘Walk lights’ could make crosswalks safer
There’s a way to reduce the danger to pedestrians crossing Honolulu streets as well as reducing the difficulties faced by drivers (“Safety upgrades needed along busy Honolulu streets,” Star-Advertiser, Our View, July 20).
Install walk lights on both sides of crosswalks deemed most dangerous, such as along South King Street. The walk light would normally be red.
After the upstream traffic light turns red, there would be a delay of perhaps 15 seconds before the walk light turns to flashing yellow that signals pedestrians to cross with caution.
With this method, there would be a markedly reduced traffic flow at the time pedestrians would cross. The relatively few drivers entering from side streets between the traffic light and the crosswalk would have a clear view of pedestrians.
Geoffrey Hill
Waikiki
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.
“Bill eases way to add units to home lots” Star-Advertiser, July 20:
>> This will not help and only make Honolulu a worse place to live. I already see so many people cramming into places with no street parking left.
>> This is a great benefit to Hawaii’s larger families and those who need additional income.
>> Finally a bill is moving forward that actually does something to help the citizens and homeowners get by. This will be great news for our children who cannot afford to live in Hawaii — and now we can watch our grandchildren grow.
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“Ige opposes NextEra deal” Star-Advertiser, July 21:
>> Gov. David Ige’s case is weak. He cites no specific compelling reason why NextEra is bad for Hawaii. NextEra can’t possibly be worse than Hawaiian Electric Co. NextEra appears to be more adept at serving customers efficiently and cheaply, whereas HECO is more inclined to waste money and overcharge customers pursuing unattainable goals.
>> Ige finally shows he had cojones after all. NextEra and Hawaiian Electric Industries both stink. Choose your poison. The answer is not more cowbell, but more PV (photovoltaic) and EV (electric vehicles).
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“Not forgotten" Star-Advertiser, July 20:
>> An objective review of the situation cannot but reveal that the Native Hawaiians have a legitimate grievance in law that has not yet been resolved.
>> If ordinary police are unable or unwilling to do the job, and if anti-government agitators adamantly persist in occupying public lands and seizing control of who can enter, then the National Guard must be called to remove them, restore order and ensure public safety.
>> Once Gov. David Ige calls out the Guard, he will have played his last high card. When the Guard comes in, the world will come in. The protesters do not have anything to hide. That’s not the case for the state, the University of Hawaii and the TMT (Thirty Meter Telescope builders).
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“Ethics panel to review strict media policy” Star-Advertiser, July 21:
>> Between Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s appointees gutting the Ethics Commission and his refusal to allow them to hire an investigator, it appears the mayor would very much like the commission to dry up and blow away.
>> It shouldn’t be so hard to just tell the truth.
>> It is when you have so much to hide!
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“Cleanup begins at Kaimuki home” Star-Advertiser, July 22:
>> A very sad situation where the owner of the property no longer possesses the wherewithal to care of herself as well as her real and personal properties. There must be process where a guardianship can be established to administer for her care and property. The article did not mention whether the owner had any living relatives or any legal representations. I hope a relative comes forward to assist this individual.
>> She’s up on her property tax yet they can’t find her or a guardian? Who’s paying that bill?
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“Brower mulls Kakaako charges” Star-Advertiser, July 22:
>> If you do not punish punks behaving badly, they will move on to bigger crimes.
>> Correct, they might become politicians.
>> In general, the law should be enforced in this environment. But for those who can think outside of the box and see the bigger picture, Brower should not file charges in this case. He should go back (escorted) and establish a positive relationship with his assailants. He can help those kids find a program that will educate and give them hope. This is the best way to build trust among the whole homeless community, and to show he’s willing to take risks and make sacrifices to help the situation.
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“Assaults in Kakaako soaring” Star-Advertiser, July 23:
>> The assaults shouldn’t come as a surprise. The city and state have allowed a basically lawless area to develop there.
>> Don’t worry. The people in these encampments will soon sue the city and state for “allowing” the dangerous conditions to exist. Once millions of tax dollars are paid out to them, they’ll be able to use that free money to buy houses.