Be careful about limiting drones

Concern about privacy and unmanned aerial systems (aka drones) is valid ("Drones taking off," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 6).

Fortunately, there are common-sense measures that can be taken to ensure privacy while allowing for the benefits inherent in this exciting new technology.

>> Enforce existing laws that protect us from peeping Toms or nuisances.

>> Because the systems associated with drones are very good at collecting huge amounts of data, law enforcement agencies should be prohibited from "repurposing" data without a warrant. Law enforcement must not be allowed to sift through data looking for wrongdoing without a warrant and a specific purpose.

>> Warrants should be required for government surveillance of specific individuals without their knowledge.

Let’s decide what behavior is not acceptable rather than limiting the many ways drone technology could make our lives better.

Larry Osborn
Hawaii Kai

Event at florist’s is not a scam

I have attended the Beretania Florist rose give-away each September, donated canned goods, and put a smile on the face of many elderly people as I handed them a rose.

There is always a long line of people eager to participate, lined up in front of the store at 7 a.m.

Auwe to the person who suggested this could be a scam, as this is a wonderful event the family puts on each year (Kokua Line, Star-Advertiser, Sept. 8).

Ruth Falter
Waikiki

Congregations volunteer to help

Gary Dubrall wrote about churches doing more to help the poor ("Churches could do more to help poor," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Sept. 8).

Since 2006, Family Promise of Hawaii has provided housing and support services to more than 1,500 parents and children with the help of 60 interfaith congregations. Eight of those congregations are in Nuuanu. Family Promise operates two day centers, 365 days a year, for families with children experiencing homelessness.

In the evening, interfaith congregations shelter and feed our families every night of the year. It’s a great way for congregations to utilize their facilities to help the homeless.

Our program offers the community a tangible, successful way to be a part of ending family homeless-ness on Oahu. More than 80 percent of our families are able to transition into housing within three to four months.

We are so grateful to our volunteer partners for being a part of the solution.

Mary Saunders
Executive director, Family Promise of Hawaii

Look for rail to affect taxes

I thought that the federal government and the state beverage container fee would carry a lot of the burden of rail construction, operation and maintenance.

The Aug. 19 Star-Advertiser carried two articles, "Where are we with rail? Way over budget, as predicted," and "Bill would cut taxes on industrial lands near the rail system."

In the former, Cliff Slater wrote that the rail project could run as much as 78 percent over budget and estimated that we could convert the rail to a two-lane reversible highway, if politics wouldn’t stop it.

He also opined that $200 million will be required annually for operations and maintenance, coming from an expanded property tax.

City Councilwoman Carol Fukunaga, in the latter article, wanted to cut taxes on industrial lands near rail stations. Where would that lost tax revenue come from? Property tax increases, of course.

Harry Huyler
Kailua

Deterrence is key to peace

Glenn D. Paige wrongly charges U.S. Reps. Randy Forbes, R-Va., and our own Mark Takai with urging "the nuclear-armed U.S. to prepare for war" ("Follow MacArthur’s advice about war," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Sept. 6).

What these two did write is that "we should reaffirm our pledge to deter and prevent the outbreak of another (war)" ("Reflections on war and peace in the Pacific," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Aug. 30). To that end we have used our nuclear arsenal every day for the last 70 years: It is deterrence that has prevented another world war.

Paige also cherry-picked statements of Gen. Douglas MacArthur to support his position that "technological advances made reliance upon war for peace no longer viable." He conveniently overlooked MacArthur’s brilliant Sept. 15, 1950, amphibious assault at Inchon, as well as his April 19, 1951, farewell to Congress: "War’s very object is victory, not prolonged indecision. In war there is no substitute for victory."

Thomas E. Stuart
Kapaau, Hawaii island