The reports on Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi’s alleged crimes smack of “good ol’ boy” networks in action. The fuzzy rules guiding purchases using government money clearly need revision.
The mayor taking out long-term personal loans on his pCard on the taxpayers’ dime should be criminal, so rewrite the rules. And allowing government employees, including politicians, to purchase dinner or liquor to woo anyone — from festival volunteers to cable company employees — should not be legal. I suspect that if anyone except someone in political power had done this, the hammer would come down hard.
Dawn Garbeil
Kailua
Voters should act on changes to Charter
In response to Stuart Taba, who suggested it is best to leave any decisions on the proposed City Charter amendments to elected officials (“Charter changes too much for voters,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Oct. 18): The same officials who put up the amendment would vote yes to extending their eight-year occupancy of the City Council to three, yes, three four-year terms.
We need fresh new and younger members of the Council. I hope everyone will vote “no” and clear the way for some fresh new ideas. It is a privilege to vote.
Jackie Weyhenmeyer
Mililani
Earmarks can get Congress to work
Everyone bemoans the gridlock in Congress, with good cause. Nothing gets done because neither partisan side is willing to compromise. So why not bring back earmarks?
Sure, it’s a form of bribery and might cause spending money unwisely. But lobbying is often nothing more than bribery using campaign contributions, and government funding is often unwisely appropriated.
Back in the days of earmarks, the leaders of Congress could entice reluctant members to compromise in return for some funding for their constituents. That’s inelegant, but it was one effective way to get the nation’s business done.
Look at the mess we have now. Of course, I wish promoting the nation’s best interest was enough incentive for congressional members to get work done, but apparently that’s not the case. Why not go back to the future?
Lunsford Phillips
Kailua
Keep a closer eye on rail construction
The article, “Rail estimate grows to $8.6 billion; completion pushed back” (Star-Advertiser, Sept. 30) described the overhead concrete structures between Kapolei and Aloha Stadium that were found to have “metal strands that snapped apart.”
As a structural engineer licensed in Hawaii for 41 years, I am shocked by the conditions and construction lapses related to “metal strands that snapped apart.”
A risk of future catastrophic collapses is possible, with the potential for injury or loss of life and property for rail passengers and automobile occupants below.
If the rail is to be successful, further lapses in construction and/or oversight must be eliminated. Defects must be revealed, reviewed and corrected. The structure in its final state must be shown to be 100 percent safe and sound.
Honolulu residents must trust that all portions of the work will be tested and repaired in order to obtain a structurally sound rail system.
Stewart N. Williams
Nuuanu
Lawmakers must help frail kupuna
Brodie Lockard wrote recently that legislators must address the needs of kupuna and the disabled whose daily care costs have become unbearable (“It’s a blessing to live long in Hawaii, but not if you can’t afford basic needs,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Oct. 16).
For decades, Brodie has paid his own way. When an individual’s limits have been reached, public help must be there.
I have worked with Brodie on numerous projects. He has spent countless hours bringing the community together to improve life in Hawaii for everyone.
We have to back up talk about valuing our kupuna with action. Lip service does not pay bills.
We care for my husband’s 98-year-old mother because she “graduated” from a nursing home after being there six months with a broken hip. It was either take her home or pay $9,000 a month to continue at the nursing home. And this is a choice?
Legislators must take the first steps toward helping our kupuna and those with disabilities to live with dignity and continue contributing to society.
Jan Pappas
Aiea
Residential A tax helps neighborhoods
Property taxes by far generate the most revenue for our city, enabling Honolulu to provide the services and create the infrastructure our citizens deserve.
Gregg Uyetake neglected to mention that Residential A only applies to those who don’t live in their homes valued at $1 million or more, and those who do receive a homeowner’s exemption (“Elderly affected by Residential A tax,” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 21).
Mayor Kirk Caldwell is well aware of the impact Residential A has on some kupuna who must move out of their homes due to health reasons, and that’s why he created an exemption for this scenario through last year’s passage of Bill 36.
The Residential A classification helps preserve the character of Oahu’s older neighborhoods by compelling property owners to live in their homes, is designed not to harm the typical renter, and deters the spread of illegal vacation rentals that can negatively impact our quality of life.
Gary Kurokawa
Deputy director, city Department of Budget and Fiscal Services
