Vacation rentals do too much harm

While lamenting the overtaking of our neighborhoods by multi-generational families and their vehicles, Lisa Adlong acknowledged that such doubling up is usually by necessity (“Multi-generational homes bring tumult,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Oct. 29). What she failed to recognize is that some of the blight she bemoans is caused by the alternative she prefers — vacation rentals.

Thousands of residential homes have been converted illegally to vacation rentals, contributing to loss of housing and escalating rents for our residents, relegating many of them to crowded, undignified living conditions, if not homelessness.

Should the wishes and demands of vacationers and associated financial interests take precedence over the rights of local residents to a roof and decent living conditions? Unfortunately, the answer for some of our fellow citizens and government officials seems to be yes — an answer that completely ignores the human, social and fiscal costs to our communities and taxpayers.

These costs far outweigh the taxes that would be collected on these vacation rentals.

Ursula Retherford

Kailua

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No tears for the tourism industry

So the tourism industry is bummed because it’s still waiting for the money it was to receive under Act 214 passed by the Legislature last session (“Delay in state funds to aid homeless pains tourism industry,” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 29).

This act is unconstitutional in two ways: First, its subject doesn’t match its title — “Relating to Taxation” — because the original contents dealing with tax rates for low-income taxpayers were gutted and replaced and ended up allocating $1 million to tourism associations to address homelessness in tourist and resort areas. Second, the final language never received the required three readings in each house because it was drafted during the sausage-making that goes on at the end of each legislative session.

What should pain all of us is that this happens all too often, and it happens because we let it. The abuse of our Constitution can be stopped, but only if we voters replace the offending legislators with people who take seriously the oath to uphold the Constitution.

Nancy Davlantes

Kaneohe

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Hawaii GOP needed to improve Hawaii

Self-proclaimed “local Republican” Eric Ryan is out of touch with the Hawaii GOP (“Hypocritical to invite Huckabee to speak,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Oct. 27).

The Hawaii Republican Party has never worked harder to provide positive, well-funded candidates as an alternative to the devastating catastrophe of a one-party system we are enduring.

One only need look at the never-ending tax increases to fund rail to see that we are taking away the very ability of Hawaii’s citizens to survive.

It seems the only purpose of our Democratic Legislature is to devise new taxes every year to impose on our already paycheck- to-paycheck taxpayers.

It’s time to stop this oppression. The Hawaii GOP is our only chance.

If Ryan would like to contribute his time and money to join in the challenging work of turning Hawaii into a state we can all afford to live in, I look forward to his help.

Pam Smith

Ewa Beach

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Protesting violence by police helps us all

As shocking and dismaying as the NFL protests may be, the players are doing us a service, including for well-off white guys like me.

Casual police use of deadly force and lack of accountability are outrageous. Such violence inevitably spills over into other communities: Anyone can die defending their homes from unannounced raids at the wrong address, or be killed while innocently trying to ask for help, like Australian tourist Justine Damond in Minneapolis (“Fatal shooting by officer prompts call for answers,” Star-Advertiser, July 18).

In some communities, this happens so much that it is not an accident — it is a pattern of negligence. Not fixing these patterns is an affront to all Americans. Better police procedures and training can reduce the rate of lethal errors. We as American citizens and taxpayers have a right to expect and demand better. By taking a knee, these athletes are standing up for all of us, and may help save our own lives.

Michael DeWeert

Kaneohe

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No national anthem at symphony, opera

Jerry James is so right about the inappropriateness of playing the national anthem at symphony concerts, or for that matter, operas (“Symphony no place for national anthem,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Oct. 27). As I recall, this is not the first time someone has raised this justifiable concern in your editorial pages.

I would also point out the inappropriateness of displaying two large flags onstage during concerts. If there is a need for displaying these flags for any reason, the hallway would be a better place for them, not the stage. Classical music and their conductors are multinationals.

Hamid Jahanmir

Makiki

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Kuhio Beach waters need to be tested

For months now, I have been surfing the breaks at Kuhio Beach Park. The waters around the area seem to have deteriorated in quality.

As of Oct. 28, the smell was similar to sewage. This smell has been predominant throughout the summer. I wonder if anyone has monitored or diagnosed where or why this is. Considering that our beaches are our single most important tourist attraction, the city and state should want to ensure the utmost in pristine and desirable conditions.

Theresa Strange

McCully-Moiliili