Future looks better for Bishop Museum

I recently received news that finally will be good for Bishop Museum and its dedicated, long-suffering staff: Blair Collis is resigning (“Collis resigns as president of Bishop Museum,” Star-Advertiser, April 30).

This is the director who, with little relevant experience, received this job without the scrutiny of a national search. His fundraising acumen apparently was also lacking, and after a series of retrenchments and layoffs, he determined, apparently without objection from the current board, that the only way to deal with a serious deficit in 2015 was to get a bank loan.

The major strategy he had for supporting this decision was to again cut funding to the research staff, the very activity that has made the museum world-famous for great research in Polynesia and the Pacific.

All of us who respect and love this museum hope that this time, a board of directors will be appointed that understands its fiduciary responsibilities, and that a CEO will be selected who has the depth and ability to right this ship and steer it straight, not into the ground.

Seymour “Sy” Sohmer

Former Bishop Museum Botany chair and assistant director for research

Alexandria, Va.

Better to help than fear the homeless

I’m sad to see Kmart in Iwilei go. I’m elated that three new stores are moving in (“Former Kmart site to house Longs, Ross,” Star-Advertiser, May 4).

Yes, I’d see homeless “hanging out” at Kmart when shopping there, but I don’t fear them (“Old Kmart site has some issues,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, May 6). I might even say a prayer for them.

Arriving at Kmart, I’ve observed homeless minding their own business. No panhandling. They were drawn by a powerful, invisible force that radiates compassion through the Institute for Human Services across the street. Yes, their numbers have increased, but there’s a beacon of hope drawing them together through the area’s programs.

There’ll always be a segment of society unable to care for themselves. I applaud those who make the effort to better their lives.

Fear them? Say a prayer for them. Share your expertise. Give them a hand-up.

Patricia “Tootie” Sirrs

Kalihi

It’s easier to criticize than offer solutions

Donald Chambers said that current solutions for homelessness have done little to correct the ongoing crisis (“Charity to homeless often can backfire,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, May 5).

He placed blame at the feet of politicians and liberals.

It’s too bad Chambers did not provide his analysis on how to actually solve the problem, given our finite resources and the need to approach this issue from a civil perspective.

It’s easy to point out problems from the comfort of your own home but much more difficult to solve them when you’re out there on the front lines.

Ryan Tin Loy

Nuuanu

Politicians won’t be so kind next year

The Legislature passed a bill to spend $100 million to cool classrooms for our keiki in public schools. That’s great news.

It also rejected Gov. David Ige’s request to raise the state vehicle weight tax. More great news for my family pocketbook.

You can be sure that if it was not an election year, our keiki would not have received cooler classrooms, but would have suffered another year of stuffy hot classrooms. My vehicle weight tax would have been approved.

The 2017 Legislature will be a different story. Raising the vehicle weight tax will be back on the table. There will be no compassion for the overburdened taxpayers of this state. The incumbents will have no threat of losing their position in a non-election year.

Voters concerned about their family budgets or pocketbooks being chipped away by the Legislature each year should vote the Democratic incumbents out of office this November.

Melvin Partido Sr.

Pearl City

Democratic Party also in historic shift

I agree with Charles Krauthammer (“Trump’s victory marks historic shift for GOP,” Star-Advertiser, April 6). However, he did not go far enough. He should have included the Democratic Party also.

Donald Trump’s victory may have marked an historic shift for the GOP, in that he “sensed, marshaled and came to represent a massive revolt” of the American people. But what is happening is not just about the Republican Party. Americans are feeling betrayed by their leaders, period.

Hillary Clinton is a continuation of the same problem. Democrats are beginning to wake up about her. Bernie Sanders is right on her heels. She lost Indiana and I think she will fail to become our next president.

Dave Chabriel

Kailua

Gabbard might find herself on outside

As the Democratic presidential primaries wind down, we’ll see if U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s decision to back U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders pays off.

Many people don’t realize that Sanders was an Independent, but chose to run for president as a Democrat. If Sanders doesn’t win the nomination, Gabbard could be relegated to a reduced role in Congress, which would not be good for Hawaii.

Moses K. Akana

Aiea

How could sentence have been so light?

A motorist who was found guilty causing a police officer’s death will be facing only a maximum one-year jail term at sentencing in August (“Motorist convicted in officer’s death,” Star-Advertiser, May 6).

Unbelievable. This is a mockery of the justice system. How in the world did the jurors come up with this verdict?

I think this case should be retried. I could just imagine the anger and frustration the family of officer Garret Davis must feel.

Geri Padilla

Ewa Beach