As a veteran, I ask that people do not disgrace or desecrate Confederate soldier statues and Civil War monuments.

President Abraham Lincoln was right to ask citizens to look to the future while respecting our fellow countrymen on both sides of the Civil War. They were brothers and sisters, cousins and neighbors. We do more together when we educate and try to understand.

Our elected officials — including former presidents — would be wise to condemn acts of violence and to convene listening sessions to consider options. Hasty decisions, like calls for the outright destruction of statues by some, or disavowing duly elected national leaders, will only aggravate the situation.

Many of these statues have survived for more than a century. Surely they can stand for a few more months while we discuss, with civility, how best to respect and honor the sacrifices of those who came before. Only then can we move together to face the many pressing challenges that face our state and our nation.

Todd Offutt

Aiea

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Local investors lose, mainland ones win

Gov. David Ige recently signed into law a bill that effectively raises the income tax rate on Hawaii investors from 8.25 percent to 11 percent, an increase of 33 percent.

Concurrently, the Legislature declined to pass a bill that would tax real estate investment trusts (REITs), which are primarily out-of-state entities that invest in Hawaii real estate but pay no income tax to our state on their earnings.

Doesn’t this seem short-sighted? Wealthy Hawaii residents can move elsewhere to avoid paying high taxes, but REITs can’t relocate their Hawaii assets. The state is losing an estimated $50 million a year in tax revenues and that number will only continue to grow. Why are we punishing local investors but giving mainland investors a free ride?

Michael J. Fergus

Downtown Honolulu

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Fire ants attack at Ala Moana Park

As a Honolulu-born Australian resident, I treasure my annual family pilgrimage back to these beautiful islands every summer. One of our favorite pastimes is to sit and watch the sailboats race on a Friday out at Ala Moana Beach Park.

This past week, however, I was unfortunate enough to sit down on the grass (as there were no open park benches), and was attacked by an entire army of aggressive fire ants. I now have uncontrollably itchy, blistered legs, which I understand will take more than a week to recover.

Fortunately, I did not encounter a severe allergic reaction, but I wonder if the government has considered this problem and may address it in the near future — as my discussions with residents since it happened indicated that this is a big problem here.

I would hate for other tourists to encounter the same fate.

Tanya Day

Canberra, Australia

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Union leader should work with HFD brass

Being a retired first responder, I can appreciate our firefighters’ efforts in the Marco Polo condominium fire. It presented them with challenges every second.

But as usual, the Monday morning quarterbacks come in, with days to analyze decisions that our firefighters and their supervisors had to make in a split second.

I am tired of Bobby Lee, president of the Honolulu Fire Fighters Association, joining in the quarterbacking. It seems he is very critical of the fire department administration; I can’t remember one good word he has had for them.

Maybe Lee should take lessons from other unions. There is a process by which the union can meet with management on issues like this to settle these types of concerns. It is called “meet and confer.” It is widely used by other unions as a tool that often nets good results.

I urge Lee, to give this process a try, so then I can give him and his union a “shaka.”

Michael Brede Sr.

Kailua

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City struggles with feral cat problems

Have we all gone nuts?

It’s been reported that our esteemed City Council is facing a “daunting task” with at least three versions of a low-cost spaying option for feral cats (“Bill calls for lower price for sterilizing feral cats,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 9). The stated rationale is that this new low-cost spay/neuter program would help decrease cat and dog populations.

Furthermore, Bill 22 would add pet owners with Medicaid or low-income housing vouchers to those who qualify for $20 pet sterilization vouchers (EBT cardholders already qualify). The city currently provides $500,000 annually for this purpose.

Notwithstanding our current city problems, if this is a “daunting task,” we’re all in deep trouble.

Roger C. Evans

Ewa Beach

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Frank Haines left legacy of compassion

We were saddened to hear of the passing of Frank Haines (“Architect contributed to multiple isle landmarks,” Star-Advertiser, Obituaries, Aug. 12).

Your article highlighted many of the accomplishments that make up the legacy Frank left here in Hawaii.

Frank’s iconic buildings were only one side to him. Frank was a most compassionate individual who dedicated his free time to giving back to the people of Hawaii.

He was integral in leading many local nonprofits and helped build the community of Hawaii from behind the scenes.

Up to the time of his passing, Frank served as a key member of the board of Parents And Children Together. He joined our board in 1995 with the purpose of sustaining the Family Peace Center, which supports families dealing with domestic violence, and remained on our board ever since. His dedication, sincerity and heart echoed the ethics of what we strive for at Parents And Children Together. We will miss Frank dearly.

Ryan Kusumoto

President and CEO

On behalf of the board of Parents And Children Together