Long-term care needed despite cost

House Majority Leader Scott Saiki recently responded to state Sen. Rosalyn Baker’s proposal for a long-term care social insurance program (“Bill would raise tax for in-home health care,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 22).

“My inclination is that it would be difficult to raise the general excise tax this year,” he said.

Arguing about cost does not help sort out the important reality that we need to offer solutions to the challenges facing us today. Care for our kupuna is at the heart of local culture.

I know how important this is — I took care of my parents as they aged, became infirm, developed dementia and eventually were placed in nursing homes.

Almost a quarter of our residents are depending on us to do the right thing, and the longer we wait, the more expensive it will get. The speaker, the vice speaker, and numerous other legislators are on board.

I hope Saiki will join his colleagues and support House Bill 1885.

Gary K. Tanimitsu

Salt Lake

Hawaiians rightful owners of Hawaii

In a letter about the Thirty Meter Telescope, a writer says: “The mountain belongs to all of us” (“Ige needs to be bolder on TMT,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Jan. 29).

Wrong. It, and all of Hawaii, were effectively stolen from the Hawaiians more than 100 years ago by the U.S. government. They never relinquished ownership or control. The illegal statehood vote in 1959 does not change that. There are few outsiders who respect that fact.

Outsiders cannot just waltz into a sovereign country and take over, as happened here and with the Native Americans.

There is no denying the future benefits of the TMT, but that is not the real issue. Locating it must be done pono with the only rightful owners — our hosts who should be respected, the Hawaiian community.

Bert West

Kakaako

NFL treated royally as rest of us suffered

The NFL was treated like royalty while having the last laugh.

The unprecedented takeover of Waikiki Beach, from Kapahulu Avenue to the police station, was shameful. The tent wall and roped-off beach area for a choice few excluded our visitors and local folks. Media reporting was virtually non-existent.

But no worry. The fun really began with a three- to four-hour wait in traffic from all directions and lack of parking.

Knowing it was a sellout, the state Department of Transportation, Aloha Stadium Authority and Honolulu Police Department clearly were not prepared — a glaring dereliction of duty without repercussions.

Next time, why not install portable toilets on the freeways and ramps while vendors sell goodies to the stalled, trapped crowds? As politicians and dignitaries get escorted to the front of the line, the masses will at least be pottied and fed. This might work for some rush-hour nightmares as well.

Diane D. Ackerson

Hawaii Kai

‘Gay conversion’ bill a free-speech threat

I read the proposed legislative bills seeking to prohibit teachers and persons who are licensed to provide professional counseling from engaging in or advertising sexual-orientation change efforts on students and persons under 18 years of age (“Ban on gay therapy is sought,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 30).

I find it interesting the ban as proposed applies to one side only: Counseling a person seeking to transition from one gender to another would remain fully endorsed and protected, even by teachers who are not trained counselors.

So how much gay-conversion therapy is going on? State Rep. Della Au Belatti, who introduced the House bill, was quoted by KHON2 as citing “anecdotal testimony.” The station’s checks with the state Department of Education and other relevant agencies turned up no reports.

Remove the smoke and these bills seem not only unnecessary, but are potential unwarranted abuse of government in an attempt to terminate public and professional discussion on sexual orientation.

David Beers

Waipahu

Bridge over Ala Wai would be ruinous

We could add a third “white elephant” to a recently well-expressed denunciation of the rail project and the Hawaii Convention Center: the once-again proposed $15 million Ala Wai Canal foot and bike bridge (“Waikiki board backs foot and bike path spanning Ala Wai,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 14).

Relatively few residents would be served; it would break the aesthetic line of the canal; and, most abominably, provide a supposed stop for the rail, a stomach-turning desecration too hideous to imagine.

Let’s leave this old proposal somewhere over a very distant Hawaiian rainbow.

John W. Conner

Waikiki

HMSA needs more input from doctors

All health plan executives should read Dr. Stephen Kemble’s article (“Policymakers should be listening to doctors,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Feb. 3).

Hawaii Medical Service Association was formed with extensive input from physicians in the community.

In recent years, the organization has not solicited input from practicing physicians who may have many years of experience in taking care of patients.

Instead, HMSA relies on those hired as medical directors and chief medical officers. Their decisions often are biased because their jobs are on the line.

I have experienced National Imaging Associates, Inc. making recommendations and denials that were inappropriate for good patient care, in my opinion. It is no surprise that NIA would make the claim that 30 percent of requested tests are inappropritate.

After all, NIA does need to justify to HMSA its fees, for which I am certain HMSA is paying.

James Lumeng, M.D.

Kailua