Don’t break the law, immigrate legally

How twisted our society has become. It’s outrageous that even some of our churches are willing to harbor illegal immigrants, and some individuals are pushing for Honolulu to become yet another “sanctuary city.”

I was born and raised on Oahu. My maternal grandparents were from Hong Kong. My husband’s father was the first of his ohana to come over from the Philippines. He had to petition for the rest of his ohana to come to Hawaii. It took them years, sacrifice, separation and money. It wasn’t easy, but it was legal — and now our ohana is able to enjoy all the benefits Hawaii and America offer without fear.

If you break the law, you suffer the consequences. As the proud daughter of a retired Honolulu Police Department captain (now deceased) our children were brought up to believe the same.

How are we to teach future generations right from wrong when we can’t tell the difference ourselves?

Stephanie Keolanui-Cachola

Kalihi

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Migrants put food on everyone’s table

OK, President Donald Trump is doing what he said he was going to do. The very people he’s calling criminals are the same people who bring Trump’s and everybody else’s vegetables to the table.

I lived in Santa Maria, Calif., for more than 30 years. I recall government helicopters chasing field workers like animals. Let’s not forget that California is the breadbasket of America and much of our world.

I never saw one white person working those fields.

Robert E. Steadmon

Ewa Beach

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Protect tourists from aggressive homeless

We love Waikiki and have been coming here for 15 years. My wife and I, along with our 4-year-old daughter, recently took a stroll near the Duke Kahanamoku statue at 9:15 p.m. Suddenly, two homeless men started arguing. It came to blows. Our little one was scared. About five minutes later, the police arrived. They did nothing.

I decided to assist and approached the officers, asking if they needed any information. When I pointed out one of the perpetrators, the officer shrugged and said, “That’s just what happens. Typical night in Waikiki.”

Police officers have a tough job, but I was surprised by their response. The homeless population in Waikiki is blatantly obvious. For a beautiful city that prides itself on Hawaiian hospitality, it’s an embarrassment for a city that has no problem charging top dollar for its exquisite hotels and fine dining restaurants.

Honolulu has an obligation to keep not only its citizens safe, but also to protect its tourists.

James Bernasconi

Chino Hills, Calif.

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Obama’s presence felt in judge’s ruling

It’s too bad former President Barack Obama isn’t as gracious as former President George W. Bush by quietly fading into the background to let the new president solve America’s problems — something he failed to achieve.

It was no surprise to learn that Obama was a classmate of U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson and coincidentally happened to be in Hawaii at this time.

Most rational people would agree that $150,000 in legal fees could be put to better use, like perhaps toward the homeless situation. After all, the ruling will be overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, as these lower-court judges have overreached and have become too politicized.

Elaine K.C. Sturgeon

Waikiki

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Save the historic Naalehu Theater

Regarding the imperiled historic Naalehu Theater in the heart of this Big Island town, I’d like to remind our apparently oblivious elected officials that the 76-year-old plantation-era landmark is being purposely “demolished by neglect” by the 300 Corp. of Honolulu, its callous owner (“Neglect of Naalehu Theater has some seeking restoration,” Star-Advertiser, March 15).

For well over a century, many generations of area residents originating from around the globe spent much of their lives toiling in the now-vanished cane fields, and it’s a real shame that such humble monuments to their heroic efforts are now so quickly being lost.

At a minimum, Ka‘u lawmakers Maile Davis, Richard Creagan and Josh Green should introduce resolutions on the county and state levels urging that this once-vibrant community resource be restored to a safe and useable condition. If shadowy corporate principals remain obstinate, then the property should simply be removed from their toxic ownership through the legal condemnation process.

Glen M. Winterbottom

Naalehu, Hawaii island

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Speed monitors useless on Kainalu

For years, some residents on South Kainalu Drive in Kailua have tried to get speed monitors.

Actually, all of Kainalu needs them, both north and south. Well, two have finally been installed, in two ridiculous, useless places. They are so close to intersections that no one could be speeding at that point.

We were told by City Councilman Ikaika Anderson’s office that multiple studies were done by the Department of Transportation Services to ensure the devices were warranted, and locations were appropriate per national standards and guidelines. Furthermore, the locations cannot be changed and we must accept that the current placement is correct.

I would like to know what the multiple studies cost that produced such useless results. No wonder our roads are so awful.

Shirley Hasenyager

Kailua

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Manoa roads need more than patches

Kudos to Kenneth Taylor (“Fix the roadways, especially in Manoa,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, March 11).

Manoa and East Manoa roads are main thoroughfares with very heavy traffic. They have received numerous pothole repairs that provide jarring rides, not to mention new holes that must be dodged.

My weekly drives throughout the island make me wonder why the city resurfaces roads that are in much better shape than Manoa’s. Consideration is needed.

Larry Brown

Manoa