When Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced that the transitional shelter at Sand Island would be pet-friendly, we applauded his decision. We also reached out to the Institute for Human Services and offered our assistance.
In response to Marjorie Goodloe ("Having pets at shelter raises many questions," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Oct. 25), we would like to reassure her, and others, that the Hawaiian Humane Society intends to provide services to the pets living at Hale Mauliola. These animals will receive free physical examinations, sterilizations, vaccinations and flea treatment from our staff and local veterinarians. We also will help with animal behavior issues if the need arises.
The bond between people and their pets is very strong. Whether you are homeless or not, pets provide comfort and companionship. Asking someone who lives on the street to choose between moving indoors and requiring they give up their pet to do so, will result with that person instead choosing to stay on the street.
We are pleased that the city administration and providers who are helping to end homelessness recognize the strength of the human-animal bond. The Hawaiian Humane Society also is pleased to be part of the solution.
Pamela Burns
President and CEO, Hawaiian Humane Society
Privatization opens door to corruption
The Oct. 26 Star-Advertiser editorial was superficial and reactionary ("Beware of adding state employees," Our View). It lacked a balanced understanding of the constraints placed on government.
As noted by Hawaii Supreme Court Justice Mario Ramil in Konno v. County of Hawaii, privatization demonstrates two equally important public policies in conflict — the need for government efficiency, and the ethical provision of government services.
Privatization is intended to increase the cost-efficiency of government by having services done by the private sector. On the other hand, the civil service law is intended to eliminate political spoils by ensuring that government services are provided openly and based on merit.
The editorial board should really be asking this — how much should we pay for an ethical personnel system? If it costs too much, then change public policy by making all government blue-collar work no longer based on merit. Then government will be free to privatize any service it chooses.
But when politicians get fatter from graft from potential private contractors, don’t be surprised or outraged. You’ve just endorsed that course.
Erik K. Abe
Downtown Honolulu
Too bad voters didn’t reject rail project
Thank you for publishing Susan Lai Young’s commentary on the rail transit project ("Massive spending on rail harms honest taxpayers," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Oct. 29).
She sounds like a taxpayer and voter like myself, trying to be a responsible citizen and watching our hard-earned dollars frivolously thrown down the drain. In the case of the rail, 51 percent of the voters were bamboozled into thinking that this was a good thing for Oahu. Auwe. No!
As I traverse Honolulu’s roads daily and play dodge-the-potholes with the street, I think of what could have been done to try and have the rail measure voted down. We were fighting a very large three-headed giant: the unions, the contractors and other special-interest groups.
Our pen was just too small and I am sick to my stomach regarding this horrendous debacle.
Joe Hilton
Downtown Honolulu
Ige shows leadership in energy policies
It’s an easy meme: political leaders are spineless; they don’t exhibit leadership; and they don’t do anything.
That’s why we should recognize real political leadership when it occurs. Gov. David Ige’s leadership in the energy sphere is impressive. Committing to 100 percent clean energy. Opposing the import of liquified natural gas. Publicly deciding that perhaps the biggest transaction in the state of Hawaii in over a century — NextEra’s takeover of HECO — is a bad deal for Hawaii. All of these actions took real courage and, whether you agree or disagree with him, exhibit leadership.
Hawaii deserves more leaders like Ige, who are willing to think through issues and take a public stand.
Robert Harris
Kaneohe
Treasury bonds back Social Security IOUs
In the most recent Republican presidential debate, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was alarmed that the Social Security Trust Fund held nothing but IOUs.
Mike Huckabee said that the money to fund Social Security had been stolen. Christie agreed.
I don’t. Those IOUs are Treasury bonds earning interest. IOUs earning interest are a better investment than just money diminishing in value due to inflation.
Harold Loomis
Kaimuki
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.
“Shorter rail line is sensible for riders, strained budget” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 25:
>> I agree with (David) Shapiro. This is a good compromise. Kirk (Caldwell) is wrong: The so-called “full line” is not a full line at all as it does not go to Waikiki or the UH.
>> Cities on the mainland and in Japan have established “toll road fees,” which charge all vehicles a user fee, to pay for their rail operating and maintenance costs. Has our Honolulu City Council ever discussed this method of paying for ours?
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“Warning signs up after sharks seen off Waikiki” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 26:
>> Sharks have always been there, sharks will always be there. Just because humans “sight” them, doesn’t mean they’re suddenly making an organized assault on innocent human flesh. So human-centric, it’s laughable!
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“Some officials question teacher evaluations” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 26:
>> You know what is probably the largest factor of student success in my classroom? It’s the student/family’s emphasis on education. It’s very difficult to get results from a student who is constantly absent and never makes up the work missed.
>> Why are people surprised by the fact that 98 percent of all teachers are considered satisfactory when only two (2!) restaurants on the entire island have failed inspection? It’s obvious that in the teacher evaluation and restaurant inspection programs the standards are too low.
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“Kakaako camps get 3-week pass” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 27:
>> People who can’t afford thousands for rent are never going to be able to get off the streets until the counties and the state start building lots of subsidized tiny living units. There’s no profit in it for private enterprise; it has to be government and nonprofit charity.
>> This is really unfair. Back in the day we used to be able to camp and fish along the coast there. Now we cannot stay overnight but these people get a “free pass.”
>> The state is giving out free three-week camping passes in Kakaako. Let’s all go camping — for free.
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“Supporters tout job opportunities, opponents see blow to renewables” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 28:
>> The public seems to have changed its opinion. And the PUC seems to be managing this as a political discussion.
>> If HEI wanted to modernize the grid and lower consumer rates, it could have. Look up its past 10 years of financial statements. Far in excess of what is needed to do just that. It’s not an issue of money, it’s an issue of placing shareholders above ratepayers.
>> Our utility should be a public-owned utility, owned by the very people that it services.
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“DOH delay in posting reports on care homes is criticized” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 29:
>> Seniors are citizens who have paid their dues. Society owes them the respect of living in a safe place. But we rather spend time and money on losers among the homeless who have contributed nothing to the community at all.
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“Yellow tangs raised in captivity on Oahu” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 30:
>> I saw some tangs in a dentist office in Billings, Mont., last year. How did they get there?
>> Captured from the reef and sent by FedEx. This research is hugely important and will let the reef fish stay on the reef, and supply aquarium-bred fish to folks with aquariums.
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“Kewalo Basin proposals resubmitted to the state” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 30:
>> Please incorporate the Lei of Green concept from Diamond Head to Aloha Tower. It will serve the community well!
>> The rendering still looks like a dilapidated warehouse. And, as for the other developer, we don’t need any more wedding chapels or live music venues. Go back to the drawing board.
