Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s latest budget includes the long-desired new trash pickup fee of $10 per month (“Budget plan raises fees, taxes,” Star-Advertiser, March 2).
This tax increase has been presented several times under different disguises. It has been offered many times because the city was doing it for “free,” although property owners know nothing is free when we pay our property taxes.
It was said to be “fair” because condominium owners have to pay for their garbage pickup, so why shouldn’t single-family homeowners?
The truth is simpler. Nothing with the city, especially with property taxes, is “free” or “fair.”
We don’t get police and fire protection for free. We don’t get park upkeep or road repair or bus service for free. The only thing for certain is if trash pickup fees are started at $10 per month, within five years it will be $25 per month to pay for the rail transit project.
Garry P. Smith
Ewa Beach
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Don’t waste money fighting travel ban
Why is the state using our tax dollars to seek a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration’s new travel ban?
We need every available dollar collected from our taxes to help our own homeless. I wish the governor and attorney general would show as much passion for the homeless as they do for the travel ban. Are they oblivious to the tents and unsanitary living conditions on our city streets?
Stop attacking the travel ban and start concentrating our money, energy and time on helping our own citizens live a better life.
Patricia Louie
Liliha
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Trump can restore Kingdom of Hawaii
President Donald Trump, in his address to Congress, said the time for small thinking is over.
Yes, the time for biggest thinking is now:
>> Restore the Kingdom of Hawaii back for the forgotten peoples in Hawaii.
>> End annexation and the 50th State of Hawaii.
>> Return all federal occupied lands back to the Kingdom.
>> Return all income tax paid by residents since annexation, and all federal tax dollars taken from Hawaii.
>> Hold the federal government accountable to clean up Hawaii.
>> Restore only Kingdom laws in Hawaii.
Calvin Hulihee
Aiea
Roy Nakamura
McCully-Moiliili
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Power-hungry GOP ruining our country
When Barack Obama was president, Republicans accused him of being unfaithful to the Constitution for issuing executive orders. But they joyously cheered when President Donald Trump issued a string of executive orders, claiming he is doing the right thing.
The Republicans’ shameful acts of hypocrisy lend credence to the belief that they’re only interested in power. They put their party ahead of what’s best for the country and the American people, which is inconsistent with their slogan of “America First.”
The guiding principle of the Republicans is that unless they run the government, they will ruin it. Now, they control Congress and the presidency but they’re still ruining it because they’re blinded by their lust for power.
Trump’s constant attacks against his critics, which include the media and government institutions, have corroded the pillars of democracy. Such behavior and his admiration of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s leadership are telltale signs that Trump wants to turn America into an authoritarian country.
Rod B. Catiggay
Mililani
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Waikiki too pricey for many visitors
This is the sixth winter we’ve holidayed in Oahu in the past 15 years. We always anticipate great weather, exquisite and beautiful fauna and flora, breathtaking ocean currents, the luau, and the welcoming aloha spirit throughout the island. This year we’ve noticed a changed Waikiki.
We often dined at Perry’s, a buffet with atmosphere and affordable to middle-income visitors. We haven’t found anything comparable — yet.
We once filled our suitcases with gift items and mementos of the island at the International Market Place. Now, we simply walk on by — the high-end shops are not within our means.
We attend the Kuhio Beach hula shows three times per week, a truly Hawaiian cultural experience.
Hopefully, it will not become an attraction of the past. We cherish the opportunity to buy and enjoy locally grown produce at the farmers markets, and hope the land on which they are grown does not succumb to real estate developers.
Sharon Uteck
Waikiki
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Reagan eased FDR’s internment excesses
The 1942 executive order for the internment of the Japanese was written and signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, probably the most revered Democratic president of the last century.
Isn’t it ironic that the 1988 bill to compensate every survivor with a tax-free check for $20,000 and a formal apology from the U.S. government was signed by President Ronald Reagan, probably the most revered Republican president of the last century?
Kay Williamson
Hawaii Kai
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West Side needs alternative routes
My heart goes out to the victims of the terrible car crash on Farrington Highway, near Honokai Hale, on March 6 (“1 dead, 2 hurt in Farrington Highway crash near Honokai Hale,” Star-Advertiser, Top News, March 6).
But why did it take nearly four hours to complete an investigation and open the highway?
There are no alternative-route exits on that particular stretch of highway, and myself and thousands of other motorists were held hostage from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
I understand from local residents that this is not an unusual occurrence there. What roles do the mayor and police chief have in ensuring that citizens and tourists are able have access to the only route through that area? What is a reasonable amount of time to inconvenience such a large number of people?
I don’t think that four hours is reasonable.
Christine Featherstone
Ontario, Canada
