Don’t decriminalize dangerous drugs

There are no words strident enough to voice my opposition to Senate Bill 2793 (“Hawaii bill would decriminalize small amounts of ‘dangerous’ drugs,” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 15). How can we, as a society, suggest that normalizing the possession of dangerous drugs sends the right message to our children? Or to those who are struggling with addiction?

Now, clearly, we are facing unprecedented overcrowding in our prisons, and the pressure must be mounting to open the relief valve. But this is definitely not the way.

Let’s start with those who are serving time for real misdemeanors (e.g., non-impaired driving offenses, vagrancy, public intoxication).

How dare we allow poison to make its way into our neighborhoods? Or, to dust off the old adage: Don’t do the crime, if you can’t do the time.

Kent Sharrar

Ewa Beach

Leasehold: solution or sleight of hand?

The state proposes to tackle the home affordability crisis by creating leaseholds, but it is not clear how this works in practical terms (“Lawmakers and Ige back bills for housing and tax relief and for working families,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 15).

A leasehold is a glorified rental arrangement that ensures the freeholder retains ownership into perpetuity, while the leaseholder pays for the outward pretense of ownership. In addition to purchasing a leasehold, the leaseholders may have to pay a rent and could be evicted over a dispute.

The biggest drawback, however, is that as the lease reaches expiration, the resale value of the lease diminishes exponentially in value. This means that if you bought a leasehold with a short lease you will be unlikely to recoup your investment, assuming you could even find a buyer.

So, any notion of building wealth through home equity quickly evaporates. This sleight of hand ensures the state can resell the same lot over and over again, while the leaseholder is left holding an asset of diminishing returns. If it seems like a bad deal, it’s because it is. It offers no tangible solutions to the housing crisis. Caveat emptor!

Victor Saumarez

Lahaina

Tourists take over popular local sites

I grew up here.

I remember the glory of big surf on the North Shore, but I never go there anymore because of the millions of tourists and the traffic and crowds they create.

I don’t go to Ala Moana Center, because the stores there aren’t for me. I don’t go hiking much, because all the trails are so crowded. I remember snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, but now the parking lot is full by 7 a.m.

I do go to Ala Moana Beach Park, but now they want to make room for more Japanese brides to come in their limos, take pictures, and leave. What about kamaaina? Shouldn’t we get to enjoy these things?

Enjoy the millions of tourists, while residents like me leave to make room for them.

Shari Sprague

Manoa Valley

There is freedom in not buying things

In the Sunday Insight section appeared a small article headlined, “Not Buying Offers Freedom” (Star-Advertiser, Spending Well, Feb. 16).

I write this as a personal affirmation, a tiny contribution to reversing our climate crisis, as an emotional and spiritual discipline and to plant ideas for a simpler lifestyle.

The columnist, Danya Issawi, found satisfaction and sanity in not buying stuff. She refused to “participate in structures that exploit people and damage the Earth.” She wrote, “The first few months of being away from purchasing things were pure joy.”

She “made do” with what she had. She used old rags instead of buying whiteboard erasers.

She wrote, “Not buying things has freed me to have more time and energy for relationships with others.”

She contemplates her God, her higher power and what brings calm and sane thoughts. I only wish our culture, which defaults to excitement and consumption, would take the Buy Nothing Day philosophy to heart.

Gary Harrold

Hilo

Consider other mayoral candidates

Richard Borreca wrote about “four major candidates” running for the office of Honolulu mayor and mentioned the high-powered people and money backing them (“For mayoral hopefuls, including 2 political newbies, time will be of the essence,” Star-Advertiser, On Politics, Feb. 16).

He does a disservice to his readers and the voters of Oahu by not mentioning other candidates such as Choon James, who has agreed not to take donations from lobbyists, and several others who offer us an opportunity to vote for someone other than the “Hawaii establishment.”

I encourage voters to do their own research, starting with the Office of Elections and Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission.

Natalie Iwasa

Hawaii Kai

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