There are solutions to the problems plaguing our Native Hawaiian communities, including in the state’s foster care system (“Keiki locked in cycle of foster care system,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 10).
One solution lies with the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands being able to do its job. Yet the state plans to appeal the Hawaii Supreme Court’s decisions mandating that it provide sufficient administrative and operating funds to DHHL — an entity statutorily and constitutionally tasked with administering a program with more than 27,000 people on its waiting list begging for housing.
Adequate housing is another immediately simple solution. How about spending the $55 million in federal money sitting in the bank and legislatively fund DHHL so that it can do its job?
How about the governor issuing an emergency proclamation to fast-track the housing process for Native Hawaiians?
When Hawaiians have housing, the chances of their keiki being safe within their ohana obviously are increased.
Kali Watson
Executive director, Hawaiian Community Development
Fireworks ban actually working
Pat Kelly’s letter, “Oahu fireworks ban obviously has failed” (Star-Advertiser, Jan. 7), is flawed.
Long before the ban on fireworks, there were tons of illegal fireworks going off in Mililani and all over the islands for weeks before and during the New Year holiday. In the first few years after the fireworks ban, the noise and smoke from fireworks, both legal and illegal, thankfully were greatly reduced. So the fireworks ban really does work.
People with permits still can celebrate the tradition of scaring away evil spirits with firecrackers. This past New Year, the illegal importers of fireworks just got way out of hand.
The way to reduce illegal fireworks is to crack down on the importers. State Sen. Will Espero has the right idea to fund more explosives-sniffing dogs and to bring stiff justice to importers of illegal fireworks and explosives.
Joy Nagata
Mililani
Fireworks will never disappear
Although the editorial, “Crack down on fireworks smugglers” (Star-Advertiser, Our View, Jan. 9) is well-intentioned, the practical result will be a very limited success.
The Honolulu Police Department did a remarkable job in attempting to enforce fireworks laws, but was caught off guard by the large number of violators and sheer amount of fireworks used.
Random inspections of incoming shipping containers, as envisioned by state Sen. Will Espero, would result in more fireworks being shipped to replace the ones found randomly — a cost of doing business. HPD would still be outnumbered in trying to enforce the law.
A more effective action would be to have a full-time undercover unit dedicated year-round to find the smugglers, confiscate their inventory and prosecute them. This would probably provide leads to other crimes such as illegal drugs and chopped cars while taking randomness out of the equation.
Pam Smith
Ewa Beach
Daring N. Korea wrong approach
The reported flyover of a nuclear-capable B-52 bomber with fighter escort in South Korea (“U.S. shows might, unity with flight over S. Korea,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 10) is a contribution to the problem of North Korean nuclear weapons develop- ment, not a solution.
Nor is it a solution to reassuring China of peaceful intent of the U.S. and its allies on China’s periphery.
More helpful would be a U.N. settlement conference engaging all former combatants of the Korean War. It is overdue, since it has been 63 years since the 1953 armistice agreement.
Glenn D. Paige
Tantalus
Hawaii climate ideal for pot
Commercial cannabis (marijuana) in Colorado currently is grown indoors (“Like it or not, legalizing pot could be boon for local ag,” Star-Advertiser, David Shapiro, Jan. 10).
However, it’s reasonable to expect federal laws prohibiting cannabis to collapse in the future, and that will give Hawaii an advantage with its ideal climate.
Another thing that doesn’t get mentioned is tourism. Millions of citizens across America are sick and tired of being persecuted, discriminated against and caged for using the relatively safe, extremely popular God-given plant.
Colorado has seen tourism increase substantially since ending cannabis prohibition. The sooner Hawaii re-legalizes the plant, the sooner its tourism likely will increase also.
Further, millions of citizens remember “Maui Wowie” and can hardly wait to smoke it legally.
Stan White
Dillon, Colo.
Legal pot won’t benefit Hawaii
Legalizing marijuana for agriculture is a pipe dream (“Like it or not, legalizing pot could be boon for local ag,” Star-Advertiser, David Shapiro, Jan. 10).
Alcohol and tobacco are not profitable in Hawaii because of the out-of-state competition, egregious state regulations, taxes, land, labor, production and transportation costs.
Marketing labels like Puna Butter, Kona Gold or Maui Wowie would not create cannabis agriculture. Just like Hawaiian sweet bread, marijuana would not be exported; it would be produced outside of Hawaii.
The ever-expanding acceptance of pot in the U.S. will doom any local industry.
No one will shop at inconveniently located, overpriced and highly taxed stores when they can easily get pakalolo from uncle, aunty, cousin or friend.
No aggregate benefits to Hawaii will materialize unless locally produced pot becomes a tourist attraction, which is unlikely.
Bill Funk
Mililani
Driverless cars almost a reality
Imagine a Hawaii with driverless cars that take you safely from home to work while you talk on the phone.
Cars that automatically avoid problem areas.
In this world, you wouldn’t even have to own a car.
A quick call and one meets you on the curb.
Best of all, this world exists in the not-too-distant future.
In such a world, who would ride Honolulu’s rail transit system?
Terrence Sue-Ako
Kakaako
Restrict bills to single issues
There is something dreadfully wrong with the legislative process when a member of Congress, in order to vote for something he favors, is forced to vote for something he opposes.
Bills in Congress should be restricted to single issues and void of amendments and riders.
Realizing that we rarely get everything we wish for, such a step would at least make it clear who is voting for what, and the bills before Congress could be explained in just a few pages and would be digestible without a week’s study.
There could still be some horse-trading, but the extensive compromises required would not be necessary.
It is largely these that give our Congress the “do-nothing” label it deserves.
Gerrit Osborne
Waialae Iki
