I’m looking forward to a bright new year, and to appreciate our wonderful state of Hawaii and her people.

I am grateful to all the patients who allowed a rewarding practice in East Oahu. Mahalo to all of you. You are family.

If you want to feel rich, just think of all the things you have that money can’t buy: the aloha, warm sunshine, friends, good health, happiness.

Wishing all the best for a productive 2018.

Joyce Cassen, M.D.

Aina Haina

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Dogs at Sans Souci bother beachgoers

Sans Souci Beach is one of the prettiest lengths of beach at the end of Waikiki, enjoyed by visitors as well as locals.

It has been designated as a place where dogs are welcome, but has quickly developed into a place where dogs run amok. Invariably, it involves a large dog owned by a male, who not only is oblivious to the safety and comfort of other beachgoers like very small children, but adamantly acts like he is entitled to allow his dog to be run unleashed on the beach.

I was personally told by a California transplant to mind my own business when his unleashed dog was harassing a frightened lady holding her small leashed dog in her arms. The lifeguard said he was not a police officer and did not intervene. Bullies like these are in total contempt of local laws and common courtesy, and no one is doing anything to change this pathetic situation.

Hilahila, Honolulu!

Jeanne Kozuch

Hilo

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Do-nothing culture harms Kamehameha

A recent Island Voices commentary about Kamehameha Schools spoke volumes about an invisible malaise crippling powerful men in Hawaii who shirk their collective responsibility to correct wrongs and to pursue justice for those who need help (“Account for abuse of students,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 20).

“Doing nothing is doing something, right?” is unbecoming and very telling about the old-boys mentality of covering for each other and blaming their attorneys for poor advice.

Like President Truman said, “The buck stops here.” No lame excuses whatsoever. Just think what their silence has cost in human suffering, and who it has set their institutions back decades, just to protect their own okoles and status quo.

I agree with the writer that punishment is due for those choosing not to act — no rich pension for them.

This do-nothing, say-nothing culture is very bad for Hawaii. It’s no wonder people do not vote — whats the use?

Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock

Chinatown

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Hard to overstate dangers of Trump

I completely agree with Beth Rasmussen (“Powers that be stage a coup against U.S.,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Dec. 22).

My friends, while not trusting President Donald Trump, thought I was overstating the issues about a government takeover. Now, however, I think they are coming to see that I may not be paranoid after all.

I see this power takeover as a reminder of the book, “Nineteen Eighty-Four.” The oncoming specter of control of free speech, and the takeover of news media for the purpose of spreading propaganda, to throttle any viewpoint that speaks against Trump and Co. are very familiar.

Look at Russia, North Korea and China. If you dare to speak out against the ruling party, you are called a liar — uh, I meant, FAKE NEWS! — even with absolute proof to the contrary.

This could be funny if it wasn’t so darn scary. Be afraid, people — be very afraid.

John Hoover

Kailua

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Help homeless with unusual housing

A comprehensive plan to end homelessness will be introduced in the Legislature in 2018. By using unconventionally constructed housing instead of “‘wood, brick and mortar,” the Pu‘uhonua Villages bill would create 8,000 units, each with 320 square feet of living space, for less than $200 million and take a couple of years.

Compare that to 8,000 units of traditional “wood, brick and mortar” construction, which would cost more than $3.5 billion and take from eight to 10 years. We have an affordable housing shortage because there’s no such thing as affordable brick and mortar housing.

The only genuinely affordable housing is housing that’s affordable to build. For example, the First Assembly of God Church will use 12 InterShelter Domes as transitional units for only $10,000 to $15,000 per unit, as opposed to $450,000 per unit for conventional housing. Everyone should support this bill.

Mike Goodman

Hawaii Kai Homeless Task Force

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Better solution needed for homeless

On Saturday morning, I read the Star-Advertiser headline, “Police cite homeless at Mother Waldron Park.” An hour later I walked down Beretania Street to Safeway and saw homeless people camped on the sidewalk literally every 10 or 15 yards.

There were loners, couples, kids: real people needing a place to stay, but now living on property so public that several times passers-by needed to walk on the street, one of this city’s main arterials.

At that time I thought of the useless and painful cause-and-effect that comes from just moving people around. I wondered when we will see funding and political will for a better solution than this.

Dan Binkley

Makiki

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Oshiro served constituents well

Several months ago I learned that my state representative, Marcus Oshiro, was leaving politics to join the Hawaii Labor Relations Board. I am happy for him and his family, but saddened for the Wahiawa community for losing such a great person who represented us well.

I can only wish him the very best in his new endeavor, and thank him for everything that he has done for us.

Dickie H. Au

Wahiawa