Letters: Hold up on changing homeless policies; More clarity needed in rules closing bars; Mail-in voting created frustrating delays

Hold up. Wait a minute. Stopping the homeless disruption policies before you have a plan in place may not be the best move right now (“Mayor-elect Rick Blangiardi to eliminate ‘compassionate disruption’ homeless approach,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 9).

Having a meeting to discuss what’s already in place is not a plan to replace those policies. The new mayor-elect shouldn’t come in making policy changes before he has a full understanding of the problems.

I can respect that the new guy wants to come in and clean house, but maybe slow your roll a little here on this one. Canceling those kinds of programs without other solutions in place doesn’t sound like a great idea. Not to me, anyway.

We’re all wishing you good luck with this problem, sir. It’s a doozy!

Michael Young

St Louis Heights

More clarity needed in rules closing bars

The current mayor has a habit of just shutting everything down, no meaningful foresight in any of his actions. I am sure the new mayor will incorporate thorough planning and foresight and he will open business smartly and cautiously.

He should penalize a little more firmly those businesses that violate proclamations; shutting down a bar for just 24 hours is just a slap on the hand. Look at the disparity in the proclamation that Bill Comerford addressed (“Bar fight: Lawsuit claims bias in regulating Hawaii businesses,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 8).

Gentlemen clubs able to open by adding food to their menu; a few other bars following suit.

There is no clarity in the rules today and that’s the mayor’s fault. He is the mayor and supposedly in charge and leading the city.

When you start a shutdown, you need to plan a recovery process at the same time, looking ahead with foresight. I’m happy to get a new, smarter mayor.

Clifton T. Johnson

Ala Moana

Evidence doesn’t show systemic racism in U.S.

Some points to ponder as we experience the current state of the U.S.: If Supreme Court justices are to be impartial, why are there liberal and conservative justices? If the United States is systemically racist, how was it possible for Barack Obama to be elected and re-elected to the presidency?

The First Amendment allows for free speech that could include civil disobedience, but why are rioting, looting and arson condoned? Does the destruction of public and private property make the country better? Is uncivilized behavior to be the new norm?

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and others worked hard to make integration a reality, so why is there a drive toward diversity? We are the United States, not the Diverse States of America.

Why do many immigrants from Asia and the Middle East achieve the American Dream? Could it be that privilege isn’t just white?

John Mazur

Kailua

Mail-in voting created frustrating delays

Dismay, disgust and frustration: These are the likely feelings of those who feel that the vote-counting is taking an inordinate amount of time to finalize in order to declare winners.

In-person and absentee-ballot voting would have declared winners within 48 hours. The proponents of this new, now obviously failed, mail-in voting, the ones who created this unnecessary delay, have only themselves to blame. We are the laughingstock of many in other countries who rightly now question democracy in the U.S.A.

Donald Graber

Downtown Honolulu

If Gore can challenge results, so can Trump

I can’t help but notice that little or nothing is being said in the media about the election of 2000.

There were “irregularities” with some ballots then in Florida, and Democrat Al Gore refused to concede, much as our president has now.

It took some 37 days to settle all that out, until Gore’s concession on Dec. 13.

I think the people need to be informed that our present situation is not unprecedented, but then omission is a powerful tool of the press. Let the system play out in the bright light for all to see.

Gordy Fowler

Aiea

When in New Mexico, spell it chile, not chili

Regarding your story on Rocky Long and his love of New Mexico’s chili, that spelling is wrong (“New Mexico defensive coordinator Rocky Long enjoying his homecoming with Lobos,” Star- Advertiser, Nov. 5). In New Mexico, it’s spelled “chile.” Chili is the Texas spelling, which is not really chile but a spicy stew. There’s a major rivalry there!

Stella Lujan

Kailua

Newly elected leaders must plan for the future

Thanks to Sam Pooley for reminding us to keep our eye on the ball (“After the pandemic, Hawaii can’t return to ‘normal’ tourism,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Nov. 3).

Normal tourism must not be Hawaii’s future. Indeed, several future- oriented groups did form to envision a resilient diversified future economy, post-pandemic. Gov. David Ige’s Economic & Community Recovery Navigator, Aina Aloha Economic Futures and AgHui are among them.

All have sought out and received input from community or industry-specific stakeholders. Now these visions must be resourced, facilitated and organized for implementation and action.

At the same time we must not forget about our small business sector. In order for small business to be the backbone of a future Hawaii economy, they too must be resourced, facilitated and organized.

The timing is perfect for a kick-off. Hawaii has just elected leaders for county, state and federal offices. Let’s challenge them to be engaged and set policy for a Hawaii economy and society that is not just a return to normal tourism.

Sydney Keli‘ipuleole

Kaneohe

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