State lags in building affordable housing

Bravo to the state Employees Retirement System for earning 13.4 percent this past year and now having a total of $15.6 billion in assets (“State retirement fund gains 13.4 percent,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 15).

It should be noted that not one dollar of ERS assets are invested in public housing in Hawaii. With a shortage of thousands of low-cost units it must be pointed out that the island nation of Singapore (half the size of Oahu, but with five times the population) builds an average of 20,000-plus low-cost housing units per year and funding comes from their Central Provident Fund.

In fact, Singapore has built more than 1 million low-cost flats in the past 25 years and about 82 percent of the population lives in such government subsidized housing.

Obviously, we in Hawaii do not have the will to do what is right regarding housing for our local residents.

Sanford W. Friedman

Nuuanu

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Hawaii hurricane threat like Guam’s

It’s too bad that the commentary by Ann Pobutsky and Enrico Neri wasn’t titled, “Guam has lesson for Hawaii” (“Puerto Rico has lesson for Hawaii,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Oct. 11).

I believe it would have caught the attention of readers better.

I have been to Guam twice and agree with the writers in their assessment, and hope the government officials and citizens here will read it.

Jerry Shimoda

Nuuanu

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Listen to public on homeless solutions

Last year, a letter from me was published (“Force homeless into shelters or camps,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, April 4). It read, word for word, as follows:

“Following up on the recent article, ‘Councilmen intent on tent cities’ (Star-Advertiser, March 2), I am in full agreement — and pleased that finally someone is listening.

“I’ve written a couple of letters to the editor regarding a space for the homeless. Find open land, build a shower and a restroom, provide running water and let the homeless camp there.

“However, go one step further. Make it a law that the homeless have two choices: Either go to a shelter (assuming there is space), or take their tents and go to the designated camp site, with help from the city to move.

“No more sleeping on sidewalks, in parks or on the beach.

“The law must be enforced to make it work.”

That was written 18 months ago. Has the city done anything? No. Maybe it should listen to ideas from the public and once and for all solve the homeless problem.

Toby Allen

Hawaii Kai

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Bible’s message can help homeless

I commend the state departments of Transportation and Land and Natural Resources for their plans to address the homeless population from the Nimitz Highway/H-1 viaduct area.

Their efforts to help the homeless and protect the surrounding community and environment are a refreshing example of the state government doing a good job with our tax resources. I commend the state for its efforts to clear the camp and offer help for homeless individuals.

As one of Jehovah’s Witnesses I believe that sharing the Bible’s message is the best way we can help homeless people, and give them a better life. God’s Kingdom provides the only permanent solution to homelessness and other problems that continue to plague mankind.

Caleb Char

Waianae

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Hypocritical to invite Huckabee to speak

The Hawaii Republican Party has traditionally taken a liberal stance on many issues, most notably on abortion and gun control.

Recently, it has also been outspoken in its opposition to President Donald Trump. In a statement presumably made on behalf of the party, former state chair (now vice chair) and former Congresswoman Pat Saiki opined, “Donald Trump has made a mockery of the presidency of the United States. I think he’s torn us apart. Trump has done major damage to the Republican Party.”

Does anyone else find it curious, then, that Saiki’s local GOP hosted a pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, and pro-Trump speaker — former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee — at its annual “make-money-to-pay-the-overhead-but-NOT-even-support-its-own-candidates” fundraiser?

As a local Republican, I gotta say that the hypocrisy and opportunism are unmistakable.

Eric Ryan

Ewa Beach

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Symphony no place for national anthem

There is no requirement or need to play the national anthem at symphony concerts. I was shocked at that display of irrelevant nationalism when I went to the first concert of the fall.

We need some depth of thought about real patriotism and its place in community events.

Jerry James

Makiki

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HMSA will pay for Pap test if needed

HMSA will pay for an annual Pap smear if, like me, you’re at a higher risk for cervical cancer (“New HMSA rules cut back women’s cancer screenings,” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 16).

I know this because I work at HMSA, where we firmly believe in preventive care. Health screenings are the best way to find potential problems early before they advance, spread and become more difficult to treat successfully.

While our policy has been to pay for cervical cancer screening every three years, we’ll pay for an annual Pap test if a woman’s health or family history puts her at a higher risk.

Yes, we have medical policies, guidelines, recommendations and all that. But when it comes to what our members need, we’re here to help. I believe in HMSA’s mission to improve the health and well-being of everyone in Hawaii and I’m proud to be a part of it.

Marlene Nakamoto

Makiki