Progressives feeling what rest of us felt

For those with left-leaning tendencies who feel the end of the world is upon us with the election of Donald Trump, it might come as a big surprise to learn that most of us on the right had very similar feelings in 2008 and again in 2012 when Barack Obama was elected.

A pain in the gut, sleeplessness and anxiety were the manifestations. Obama is far too progressive for most of us. He said he would “fundamentally change” America. We kinda like it the way it was founded. He will not be missed.

We, however, did not cry for “safe spaces.” We did not blame the Russians or harass electors. We honored the electoral process and decided that the country would survive four, maybe eight years of progressivism.

For those of you who can’t live under the strict constructionist, capitalistic administration that will be coming up, I remind you that elections are like buses — there is another one coming.

Gordon Fowler

Aiea

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Is your home your residence, or not?

Regarding the Residential A property tax classification: It’s simple. Get your homeowners exemption and you will not pay the higher tax classification. What is so hard about that?

Own up. What is the property used for — investment, income, or residence?

Paul Tamaru

Kailua

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UH-Manoa neglects Arts and Sciences

A recent story has University of Hawaii at Manoa administrators crowing about an increase in students graduating in four years (“More students finishing on time,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 11). But what does this really tell us?

We might rather ask if the Manoa experience nurtures our students as human beings. Are our graduates intellectually curious people who appreciate learning? Do they reason well enough to see through social media’s fake news? Do they treat people from different cultures and viewpoints with kindness and respect?

Fulfilling these worthy goals is harder these days. The four Arts and Sciences colleges, UHM’s liberal arts programs, have been starved of funds. While these colleges teach a majority of student hours, they receive a tiny share of student tuition and general funds. Manoa’s Liberal Arts are a cash cow for other programs.

So many Arts and Sciences teaching positions go unfilled while faculty morale declines. Some departments lack teachers to offer the courses they need to teach.

If we are to be proud of UHM’s commitment to our students, some deep changes in priorities are in order.

Noel Kent

Manoa

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Help UH students face the real world

The University of Hawaii Ethnic Studies Department said it “combines traditional and contemporary methodologies with new perspectives on issues of race, ethnicity, and class.”

A Star-Advertiser article (“UH recruits for black-studies faculty vacancy,” Dec. 19) noted how UH is “recovering from a time of austerity.”

While UH has been recovering from a time of austerity, the faculty and administration received big pay raises and the UH students received big tuition hikes. What’s wrong with this picture?

Maybe if UH focused on providing students with degrees that they actually could use in the real world and making tuition more affordable, they would not have to recruit to fill a position to appease those students who protest that “Black Studies Matter.”

Jeffrey A. Keating

McCully-Moiliili

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Too many people at Arizona Memorial

My husband and I just returned after a week in the fabulous city of Honolulu. Our stay was most memorable and we both have more of an appreciation for the wonderful aloha spirit as embodied by your city and people.

I wanted to express my concern, however, for the Pearl Harbor Memorial tour — specifically allowing mobs of people to take pictures at the Arizona Memorial. I was told it was a sacred monument, that people were reverent.

No, the people were too numerous, taking pictures was the aim, and I’m ashamed of the shabby behavior. I would recommend not allowing cameras and camera phones on board that site, as well as allowing no more than 20 people at a time.

The film prior to going on the Arizona was superb, and I definitely recommend all who come to see it.

Jean L. Duffy

Albany, Ore.

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Important stories deserve attention

Three newsworthy stories are worth commenting on. The final demise of the sugar industry on Maui touched many lives (“Last harvest,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 13). The plantation life that so many grew up with on several islands is no longer. The last group of employees who are now looking for employment or looking forward to retirement becomes the final piece of this history. I wish them well.

The insistence by the city administration to pursue a reversal of the Residential A tax classification ruling by the court is unconscionable (“Key city attorney takes on tax case,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 17). This classification is simply greed on the part of the city and the City Council and is unconstitutional as well as unfair. Best wishes to attorney Ray Kamikawa and the residents he represents.

Lastly, Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim’s move to restrict the purchase of alcohol by county employees gets a lot of kudos.

Stephen Kealoha

Pukalani, Maui

Random Acts of Kindness

In the spirit of this holiday season, readers are invited to write in about random acts of kindness — something that is so unexpected but special and touching that it should be shared with our community.

Send a 150-word letter, or a commentary at 500-600 words, to letters@staradvertiser.com by Dec. 21. A collection of them will run on Christmas Day.