Chinatown plans need hearings

In the editorial, “Don’t block Chinatown senior housing project” (Star-Advertiser, Our View, Feb. 9), the Star-Advertiser did not consider all of the circumstances before passing judgment.

In June 2010, the Council adopted Ordinance 10-12 that directed the mayor to create an affordable housing project on River Street. That was six years ago.

On Nov. 9, the mayor announced a development agreement. As there were no committee meetings in December, the earliest this proposal could have been considered was last month. Our February meeting is scheduled in Kapolei, a location that may limit public participation from the Chinatown community. The views of the Chinatown community should be publicly heard, a position advocated by Councilmember Carol Fukunaga. It would be irresponsible to fast-track a $49 million project without having such a discussion.

Therefore, to assert that the Council may have scuttled the development by stalling for political purposes is false and misleading.

Ernest Y. Martin

Chairman and presiding officer, Honolulu City Council

News media aid Trump’s success?

Is the media responsible for the success of Donald Trump’s popularity as an “outsider” candidate seeking to become the next president of the United States?

The focus on Trump has been relentless, thanks to the media’s feeding frenzy, some claim.

Does the extent of media coverage provide the strong impression that Trump reflects the tenor and tone of a disenchanted public frustrated with the shenanigans of an entrenched governmental system of self-serving politicians who have abused their power?

There needs to be some careful thinking about what is going on — and what can be done about it.

Jose Bulatao Jr.

Kekaha, Kauai

Obama should nominate justice

As could be expected, a discussion of filling the vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court has already begun in Washington.

U.S. Sen. Harry Reid said that the vacancy should be filled immediately. U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell said the vacancy should not be filled until a new president is elected because the people should be heard from.

McConnell ignores the fact that the people were heard from in the last two presidential elections. The Senate has a constitutional responsibility to confirm a qualified person to the court, and should do so immediately. Leaving the court with an even number of members could create a stalemate for nearly a full year on matters critical to the nation.

Furthermore, McConnell’s implicit assumption that a new court member would not fairly support the Constitution is a personal affront to all of the many qualified potential candidates, and raises a serious question concerning the extent to which he would put politics ahead of our cherished constitutional democracy.

Chuck Prentiss

Kailua

Investors act on a weak economy

I am not an economist, but something is amiss in the truth of the state of the U.S. economy.

The president is bullish on the economy, while Democratic presidential candidates sing a different tune. Hillary Clinton has said that the economy is not working for most Americans. So which is it?

A recent article in the Star-Advertiser said the Hawaii Employees’ Retirement System experienced losses and the trustees are searching for investment strategies to prevent further declines (“State pension could face ‘volatile’ future,” Feb. 9).

If the economy is so durable, why are investments tanking while individuals and organizations seek a safe place to invest?

No one knows if we are in a recession but one thing is clear, Americans have lost billions in this “durable” economy.

Enough happy talk from the White House. A little truth would be a welcome change.

Jim McDiarmid

Mililani

Use GET to pay for rail project

I have not been in favor of the rail project since its inception. However, I am not so naive to think that it can be stopped.

I also am appalled that our government leaders think we are so dumb to think that their latest extension to the general excise tax surcharge will suffice to finish the project. Why didn’t they have the backbone to tell us that the 0.5 percent eventually will be in perpetuity?

I am sure that the fare price will be only a very small portion of the cost to run and maintain this project. So the rail will be subsidized by taxes forever.

Knowing this is inevitable, we should use the GET as opposed to property taxes. Why not let the tourists help pay for this instead of putting the burden on homeowners, many of whom will never ride the train?

I only wish that the legislators who supported this outrageous adventure had some monetary liability for their decisions.

James Owen

Waialae

Six months later, surgery approved

Hawaii Medical Service Association is using third parties to review X-rays and surgeries (“Not what the doctor ordered,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 24).

HMSA hired NIA Magellan to review my case and turned down my doctor’s request for multi-level lumbar fusion surgery, and also turned down his appeal.

My doctor recommended I hire a lawyer to do a patient appeal for me. Finally, after almost six months, HMSA approved my surgery.

During those six months, I had to take strong medications daily, use a walker and sometimes a wheelchair to go to doctor appointments.

We have a contract with HMSA — not with NIA Magellan.

Dorothy Kimoto

Aiea

Get rid of HMSA preauthorization

The Kool-Aid being dispensed by the chief medical officer of Hawaii Medical Service Association, stating that preauthorization of certain imaging services protects the health and safety of HMSA members, is both disingenuous and unpalatable (“Preauthorization protects health, safety of HMSA members,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Jan. 28).

I would rather chance some damage due to radiation or a false positive than risk a fatal heart attack or stroke because an imaging test ordered by my physician was denied. The use by HMSA of an agent whose purpose is to reduce the use of imaging services is especially worrisome.

HMSA should count on being sued for substantial damages when failure to approve a test leads to serious injury or death. Preauthorization is a foolish and dangerous course.

Dorothy Petras

Kaneohe

A UH fan since the Fab Five

It’s been a long time, if you have been a longtime University of Hawaii basketball fan (“Warriors come out to play,” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 14)!

And I have been since the Fabulous Five, when I first came to fabulous Hawaii as a young Navy officer. In icy Denver, I am still that fan and go crazy trying to get the games on TV or online. Go ’Bows!

Roger Hutchings

Englewood, Colo.