Panel followed rules on Souki’s ouster

Richard Borreca’s column claimed an abuse of power when the Ethics Commission “removed” former House Speaker Joe Souki from office instead of his fellow legislators or the voters of Maui (“From Souki to a surcharge on property taxes, Legislature makes some unorthodox moves,” Star-Advertiser, On Politics, April 29).

Hold the outrage — the story is false. The commission followed Hawaii’s laws on how to handle complaints against legislators.

Souki signed the settlement on March 15. He admitted misconduct, waived his right to a public hearing and agreed to resign. The commission did not have to approve this resolution but did so the next day.

If he had gone all the way through the process, and the commission ruled against him, it would only have been able to refer the complaint to the House of Representatives.

Souki did something rare, albeit very late: He did the right thing. The commission did as well by sparing him, his family, the victims and the community the public spectacle.

James Wright

Makiki

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Ancient Hawaiians were astronomers

Veronica Ohara explained in detail what would be lost if the Thirty Meter Telescope is not built (“What will happen if TMT is not built on Mauna Kea?”, Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, April 26). Imagine what would be gained.

In her introduction to the Kumulipo, Queen Lili‘uokalani writes:

“The ancient Hawaiians were astronomers, and the terms used appertained to the heavens, the stars, terrestrial science, and the gods. Curious students will notice in this chant analogies between its accounts of the creation and that given by modern science or Sacred Scripture.”

What astronomers hope to see through the TMT is creation as it happened in the Big Bang. Imagine what the ancient Hawaiian astronomers would say.

Jean Toyama

Downtown Honolulu

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Hoping for a Beamer Brothers reunion

It was great to see the recent TGIF section featuring the return of Hapa on the front cover (Star-Advertiser, April 27).

I turned the page and saw an announcement that Robert Cazimero and his halau would be performing on Lei Day. Many of us fondly remember spending many a May Day at the Waikiki Shell with Robert and his brother Roland who, sadly, recently passed.

What would top off this already fine-looking May is a long-awaited Keola and Kapono Beamer reunion. And if not May, sometime soon? Just putting it out there, Keola and Kapono. You listening?

Mark Ida

Salt Lake

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Two-way traffic on one-lane roads

Our narrow residential streets are terribly overcrowded with vehicles on both sides of the road, leaving too little room for two-way traffic.

On curvy roads, there can be blind curves because of parked vehicles, creating a very dangerous situation, especially if cars are traveling too fast.

Garages and driveways often are used for other purposes. Driveways can store construction materials. Garages are often full of junk. Added parking pads, required by the city, can be used for dog kennels.

Instead, vehicles are parked on the street. Visitors to our home have trouble finding a space since neighbors use them all.

Perhaps requiring a permit to park overnight on streets would help encourage people to use their garages and driveways rather than public streets. This would even bring additional revenue for the city.

Fred Harris

Kailua

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Use cash to pay for small purchases

I understand why people use their credit and debit cards for purchasing goods and services. It’s convenient. They get travel miles, bonus points and perks. I have trouble comprehending this: Why do they use it all the time? I know people who don’t carry money.

Don’t they know every time they use their cards they leave themselves open to identity theft or worse?

Are they not paying attention to all the hacking going on?

Kmart, Saks Fifth Avenue, Under Armour, Equifax and now Zippy’s (“Data breach affects 25 Zippy’s locations,” Star-Advertiser, April 28).

I’ve seen people use their cards to buy a $2 bottle of water. I saw a young lady buy a $1.89 ice cream bar. She signed for it. So there could be interest charges.

In a power outage, cards are useless. I don’t understand why someone wouldn’t use cash for small purchases. Even for a plate lunch.

No one can hack a $20 bill.

Robert K. Soberano

Moiliili

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Schools amendment would hurt renters

There is no doubt the proposed property tax surcharge on “investment property” will pass in the November 2018 election, but only because the proposal is written in a biased manner (“Voters will decide this fall on a tax for education,” Star-Advertiser, April 24).

First of all, the surcharge will apply to rental property, not the misnamed investment property proposed in the amendment.

Rentals in $1 million non-owner-occupied homes already are singled out by the county to pay $6 per $1,000 assessment, instead of $3.50 per $1,000 for owner- occupied.

These homes are mostly owned by Hawaii residents and rented by Hawaii residents.

There are no assurances of how the money will be spent to improve education. How do we know the Legislature won’t just take away general fund money for every $1 the new tax generates?

Everyone wants to increase taxes on the “rich.” A $1 million rental home is not “rich” anymore; it is common.

Taking away more money from renters hardly helps anyone afford to live in Hawaii any more.

Garry P. Smith

Ewa Beach