Blangiardi, Amemiya both can serve city
We just had a competitive but decisive election for mayor of the City and County of Honolulu.
Both Rick Blangiardi and Keith Amemiya come from the private sector with their strengths and limitations; however, both were willing to change their lives and that of their families by serving in the public sector in a highly visible position.
We need both of them.
It would be a shame for us to lose the services and expertise of Amemiya, with youthful energy and close ties to local communities.
While campaigns create a lot of insults and harsh words, from supporters if not the candidates, we need both men to forget about the campaign and both serve, as our community has too many issues facing us.
Mayor-elect Blangiardi should ask Amemiya to serve in his administration in a critical role. The managing director’s role is to implement the mayor’s priorities. But a smart mayor would also listen to his managing director, and with their partnership, be a strong team.
Clyde B. Morita
Kaneohe
Installments best way to pay property taxes
I just mailed to the city the last payment for my real property taxes. The original letter from the city said paying this tax in four equal installments would be a one-time option.
I really hope and recommend that this becomes a permanent policy. It is so much easier to pay monthly, rather than trying to save up for a lump-sum payment every six months.
If anyone agrees, please contact the members of the City Council, the new mayor and anyone else who might be able to make this happen.
S. Rick Crump
Kaneohe
Mayor-elect should have worn a mask
In reference to your photo on Page B1 of the Nov. 5 Star- Advertiser, it seems to me that an unmasked, non-socially distanced Mayor-elect Rick Blangiardi doesn’t reflect his “It’s All About You” philosophy.
Was he worried that readers wouldn’t recognize him if he was wearing a mask? Not likely in that photo. Mask-wearing protects the wearer and shows aloha for others. I hope that, once he is sworn in as Oahu’s new mayor, Blangiardi will continue Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s plea for masks and social distancing at all times.
If not, he might as well change his philosophy to match that of President Donald Trump’s: “It’s all about me.”
Anne Wheelock
Nuuanu
Give surgeon general a break
Congratulations to Steve Alm, our new prosecutor. Although he will not be sworn in for a few weeks, perhaps he could pass the word to his future employees to stop acting like complete knuckleheads and to quit pursuing the Surgeon General of the United States (“U.S. surgeon general and aide plead not guilty,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 3).
Lloyd Jones
Kahala Nui
High-tech workers better than tourists
How utterly refreshing that Zippy’s CEO Jason Higa is heading a hui to promote Hawaii’s most precious resource: its weather (“Hawaii offers appeal to remote workers,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 4).
Drawing remote workers to come work in Hawaii, with well-paying, high-taxed jobs, little or no commuting and significantly less polluting, is better than drawing in thousands of tourists every week. Taking a long plane ride is one of the worst things an average citizen can do for the planet. Washing sheets and towels every day is a loss for the environment. Rental cars and tour bus traffic, anyone?
Plus, these people become members of our community, invested in its well-being, instead of the hit-and-run tourists.
While the “Makaukau Hawaii — We Are Ready” theme is being promoted by the usual Hawaii power brokers, beholden to their investors, there is a rising public sentiment against tourism, at least anything remotely close to its pre-COVID status.
That so many people with tourism jobs had so little financial reserves sadly indicates how poorly these service jobs provide.
Now is the time to seek a new direction, with fresh ideas pointing toward a sufficient and viable future.
Patrick Kelly
Kaimuki
Hawaii is great place to work remotely
I’m thinking of remotely working from Hawaii.
In “Bring home Hawaii’s high-tech expats” (Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Oct. 25), Barry Weinman talked about expats returning home using the proceeds from selling a small part of their incentive stock options to a local venture capital fund.
Lots of Silicon Valley companies are now paying employees to work remotely. Those employees could choose to work in Hawaii, get fully paid with benefits and in some cases a relocation package.
They could move back to Hawaii relatively risk free, sell some of the vested options, and together with some comrades, start a high-tech company, or join an existing company in Hawaii.
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
Mark Dash
Palo Alto, Calif.
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