I want to commend Gov. David Ige for his moral fortitude in vetoing House Bill 1850 (“Ige says ‘Airbnb bill’ hides illegal rentals,” Star-Advertiser, July 13).
In doing so, he resisted mammoth pressure by the bill’s proponents.
When it takes a flotilla of paid lobbyists, public-relations firms, and the entire illegal vacation rental industry to try to convince someone of the merits of this bill, one has to wonder who would benefit the most from its passage. Ige determined correctly that it would not be in the state’s interest, nor the public’s.
In his veto decision, the governor judiciously took into account the undermining of our county zoning laws, the social and financial costs of further loss of our residential housing inventory, and the loss of public trust in our government.
We live in a special place, a place like no other, one with its unique needs and problems. Our unique island circumstances require a careful balancing of competing interests. In vetoing HB 1850, Ige did that.
A big mahalo!
Ursula Retherford
Kailua
Schatz misplaces Senate priorities
U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz’s 2016 Action Guide states, “Brian Schatz believes that the first job of a Senator is to make sure that the federal government helps to solve local problems” (Star-Advertiser, July 13).
Interesting. It has been my understanding that the first job, the highest priority of a U.S. senator, is to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America.
Marjorie Tam
Kaimuki
Give students vocational ed
While the state’s education system is under review, one problem that should be addressed is our large dropout rate in many geographical areas (“Summit explores options for transforming system,” Star-Advertiser, July 10).
A good experiment would be to start an automotive vocational educational program at some schools.
I am sure many potential dropouts would stay in school, given the opportunity to learn how to maintain engines for small equipment, motorcycles, cars, diesel and marine applications.
Instruction would include understanding maintenance manuals, needed math calculations, timekeeping and customer billing.
After three years of training, I am sure all graduates could be placed in businesses needing their acquired skills.
It would offer each student a life-changing opportunity.
Bob Stengle
Aina Haina
Get rid of solar loan program
What a surprise. It doesn’t matter what topic — Star-Advertiser articles with the words “million” or “billion” are always surrounding by commentary about fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, poor planning (if any), and just plain incompetence.
This article did not disappoint (“Solar loan program wastes millions,” Star-Advertiser, July 10).
The solar loan program failed; it wasn’t a sound plan to begin with. Spending $21.5 million to loan $385,000 is criminal and, of course, no one is held accountable.
No wonder there are now four times as many contractors at eight times the price vying for the public school cooling contract. Given the incompetence so far, I have zero confidence in an alternate spending plan.
This is a state program. Why are only ratepayers on the hook to pay back the bonds and not all Hawaii taxpaying residents?
Freeze the Green Energy Market Securitization program immediately, release the director and staff, and use the $146 million to pay back the bonds.
Mike Godfrey
Kailua
Leaking pavilion roof neglected
I exercise with a group of seniors three times a week in Manoa near the pool.
When we first formed our group last year, we started holding classes in the pavilion. It often rains in the morning. Last year, we experienced drips as the roof leaked.
They were small at the beginning. It seemed that the leak could be fixed with a stick of chewing gum. We reported it to the staff, who said they knew the roof leaked.
One year later, most of the pavilion is fenced off. The little drips are now giant puddles. Staff can’t say when the work to fix the roof will begin.
Also one lane of the pool is unusable. Meanwhile, they are installing lights at the ball field.
If there is money for that, why can’t they use it to maintain what they have?
Sandy Gottesman
Moiliili
