With regular news about another shooting (either on our city streets or in our school classrooms) there has been considerable discussion about gun control.

While it’s understandable to seek more laws as a solution, I’m beginning to consider gun violence in the same category as other important concerns that cannot be completely controlled by more legislation: drugs and alcohol; abortion and prostitution; bullying and domestic violence; cursing and manners — to mention just a few.

From my perspective, these issues involve personal decisions that are the direct result of an individual’s value system. Acceptable behavior and good values need the nurturing of good families and the guiding support of good communities.

People without a strong moral center will find ways to circumvent laws, and those with mental disabilities aren’t able to care.

We need to embrace everyone within the wisdom of the common good and the strength of a compassionate community.

John Heidel
Kailua

Honolulu should take care of its own

In the 1990s, New York’s famed Times Square was overwhelmed by prostitution, porn and street crime. A public-private partnership helped turn things around — the Times Square Business Improvement District (BID).

During a 1998 visit, the BID’s first president, Gretchen Dykstra, spoke to Honolulu officials and Waikiki business owners. Her motto: “Times Square takes care of its own.”

This meant that the BID refused to push its problems into neighboring areas, and that social problems don’t have silver-bullet solutions, and are seldom solved entirely. But the right mix of government-private-nonprofit programs can make a big difference.

Waikiki inaugurated its own BID in 2000 emphasizing safety and clean streets. It’s helped a lot, but homelessness remains a blight. The Star-Advertiser series on how other cities deal with homeless issues outlined some creative options. Let’s not discard them along with the newsprint. Honolulu needs to take care of its own.

Kayleen Polichetti
Waialae Nui Ridge

Homeless situation here is shameful

The Sunday New York Times included an article about Hawaii. Specifically it was about the “final sweep of what was one of the largest homeless encampments in the nation.”

Shame on us. Shame on the governor, the mayor, and all of us voters for having one of the largest homeless encampments and doing nothing to solve the causes of homelessness.

We need a sweep all right, in that area between Beretania and King streets.

Suzanne Ramos
Downtown Honolulu

Award to Al Lolotai was long overdue

It’s about time (“Inductees named in Polynesian hall of fame,” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 8).

I knew Al Lolotai and his lovely wife Matilda (“Tile”) when I was executive director for the Consortium for Pacific Arts and Cultures, years ago.

During those many years, I was in awe of their tireless dedication to culture, the arts and sports, with a strong sense of ethics. “Tough love” — applied with humor as needed — was part of their recipe for success.

It was a sad time in the Pacific Basin when Al passed, that Sunday in 1990.

Al and Tile made the world a better place by their devotion to each other, family and community. Al was the first American Samoan accepted into the NFL — and should have been first with the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, not an afterthought.

His work with young athletes and delegates to competitions was recognized for decades. Why on earth did this honor for Al Lolotai take so long?

Merrie Carol Grain
Manoa

City ignoring law on noisy mufflers

I live on Hala Drive between Kapalama and Houghtailing Street, below Kamehameha Schools.

Every morning and evening I have to listen to the scooters and mopeds that race by our home sounding like crying banshees in the night — not to mention the nauseous gas fumes they emit.

There is an ordinance, 291-24, concerning this, but it’s not being enforced. I have contacted the city, to no avail.

A home should be where one can enjoy, rest and gain solitude without distractions.

Michael Char
Kalihi

Protect the public, not the institution

The speaker of the House of Representatives, John Boehner, announced that he was retiring. He said it was for the good of the “institution.”

Not once during the speech was the term, “service to the public,” mentioned.

Therein lies part of the problem with our politicians today. They consider “the institution” more important than serving the public that elected them.

And people wonder why this country is falling apart.

Bob Dukat
Pahoa, Hawaii island