Did I read the paper right? A woman was able to purchase a $1.6 million home in a very exclusive community, renovate for another $200,000 — for an unpermitted vacation rental (“Host uses short-term rental as path to homeownership,” Star-Advertiser, May 9)?

The story seems to be confusing affordable housing and vacation rentals. Is $400-800 a night “affordable?” Probably not. Let’s not even consider other unspoken questions that come to mind.

Moving on: The City Council’s lack of will — or is it ability? — to take action to protect local neighborhoods is but the latest example of government’s ineptness (“Council balks at vacation rentals decision,” Star-Advertiser, May 9). Streets are repaired, only to be torn up again a year later; unsafe sidewalks; homelessness; communities planned around luxury condos, with cursory consideration for locals; hesitation over a measly $70 per year property tax break, while the rail sucks billions.

Why question the reasons for locals leaving Hawaii and eligible voters giving up?

Les Inouye

Manoa

Click here to read more Letters to the Editor.