All-mail voting will improve elections

I agree with Marti Townsend (“Vote by mail to save the day,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, April 11) and David Shapiro (“Establishing all-mail voting would increase voter turnout,” Star-Advertiser, Volcanic Ash, April 15). I am in strong support of House Bill 1401, which will provide mail-in ballots to all registered voters.

Having the option to vote by mail creates opportunities for more individuals here in Hawaii to participate in elections and have their voices heard.

Only 43 percent of eligible Hawaii voters actually participated during the 2016 election cycle, a national low. There are options to help us do better: vote by mail is one of them.

Not only does mail-in voting provide more flexibility to vote for those who are unable to make it to the polls, it will also save the state a substantial sum of money and alleviate pressure on polling locations and workers on Election Day.

With so many pressing and important issues facing the state today, we need to ensure that every registered voter has the chance to elect leaders who will represent them, and who will work to make Hawaii a better place to live.

Tanya Dreizin

Liliha

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Don’t disrespect office of governor

I want to express dismay over state Rep. Sylvia Luke’s public name-calling of the governor (“crybaby,” “caged animal,” “desperate,” “pathetic”) over the Hanabusa fundraiser controversy (“Ige calls rival’s fundraiser ‘a very concerning event’,” Star-Advertiser, April 15).

Luke needs to set an example that people in public office can disagree agreeably without resorting to insults and without disrespecting the office of the governor, no matter who occupies it.

Just because that is not happening in Washington doesn’t mean that Hawaii has to follow suit.

Lily Ling

Waialae Iki

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Luke should refrain from name-calling

Concerning Gov. David Ige’s response to a letter signed by Senate President Ron Kouchi, House Speaker Scott Saiki, state Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz and state Rep. Sylvia Luke (“Ige calls rival’s fundraiser ‘a very concerning event’,” Star-Advertiser, April 15): In the article, Luke showed absolutely no class by personally attacking the governor.

She is not serving the best interests of the people when she engages in such conduct. Name- calling in politics on the mainland is prevalent, especially in our nation’s capital. Luke has now decided to bring it to our state. She should take the high road and stay away from name-calling.

Janis Oshiro

Aiea

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Tupola, Hee better governor choices

Kevin Dayton described the unprofessional banter between Gov. David Ige and U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (“Ige calls rival’s fundraiser ‘a very concerning event’,” Star-Advertiser, April 15).

The article reminded me why Hawaii is known as a state with the lowest voter turnout. Taxpayers expect far more from our elected officials.

We are not interested in mudslinging. We struggle to make ends meet, to maintain health care insurance and to provide for our families. Not one word from either of them on what they would do to make our lives better.

Clayton Hee has proposed a lottery to raise money in lieu of raising taxes and says he would stop the rail at Middle Street to stop the bleeding of our wasted tax dollars.

State Rep. Andria Tupola has also come up with great ideas on how not to raise taxes, by changing our priorities.

Why waste time giving space to infantile bantering, when candidates with substance are ignored? Hee and Tupola have positive plans to move Hawaii forward. They deserve coverage in your paper.

De MONT R.D. Conner

Nanakuli

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Minimum wage too low to get housing

An article in the Star-Advertiser, “Low-income rental tower could break ground in 2020” (April 13), is about 198 affordable rental units to be built by Kobayashi Group for $87.6 million.

The state would lease the land for $1 per year, and donate $15 million for a juvenile facility. The state may also loan Kobayashi money, along with tax credits and bonds, to finance the project.

Of 198 units, 188 would go to people earning:

>> $43,980 per year for singles, or $22.91 per hour.

>> $50,220 per year for couples, or $13.08 per hour.

>> $62,760 per year for family of four, or $16.34 per hour.

The remaining 10 units would go to people making less.

Since $22.91 is affordable, make that the minimum wage. If $22.91 is good enough for the state and Kobayashi Group, it’s good enough for me. Some of us might actually be able to afford the affordable housing.

Dorian Miller

Makiki

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Keep lantern service on Memorial Day

In response to Robert Holub and Stephen Lerman, I too am a veteran and also a Buddhist, and would like to see Memorial Day observed with the lantern ceremony continued (“Lantern floating day needs to be changed,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, April 9; “Find way to change lantern day schedule,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, April 12).

I feel it to be a greater tribute to honor all those who serve, have served and sacrificed their lives, in addition to all those families remembering and honoring their loved ones.

As the ceremony and prayers are focused to their memories, and to all those others who have come before and follow us, it is a more fitting and sincere act beyond the mere observance of another commercialized holiday, as attested by the tens of thousands who attend, and continue to make Memorial Day a memorial for all.

Sam Hashimoto

Mililani