Catching up with first American in space

The recent flights into outer space have demonstrated that billionaires are able to accomplish the same achievement that the first American into space accomplished in 1961. The first American in space was a chimpanzee named Ham.

Anyone can ride on a rocket into space, even a chimpanzee. Building a rocket is a different matter, and the true pioneers are seldom, if ever, recognized. The fact that Jeff Bezos, Richard Branson and other 1-percenters feel that it is appropriate to squander money on thrill-seeking, while Earth is being ravaged by environmental depletion, only demonstrates that they are completely out of touch with reality.

Instead of, “Let them eat cake,” it is, “Let them watch us fly into outer space.” A total waste of time and money.

Bruce Huddleston

Kailua

Tour helicopters disrupt lives, climate

One curse of overtourism not mentioned in stories about management plans is the proliferation of helicopters.

More than 30 times on most days, tour helicopters blare across our neighborhood north of Kaneohe. Every helicopter’s flight path, coming and going, also affects thousands of other homes.

Where did anyone get the idea that making an industry out of breaking into people’s lives with loud noise they can’t avoid — repeatedly — is okay?

Let’s reclaim our quiet sky with public pressure and legislation to protect this natural resource the way others are protected. The pace of climate change also calls for reducing nonessential flights.

There is a better way to appreciate the uniqueness of Hawaii — close up and in more detail. That is from the safe seat of a giant-screen theater with steep seating, showing IMAX-format films. Let’s offer this experience instead.

Meanwhile, I urge tourists and tour planners to think twice about booking helicopter flights, out of compassion for Hawaii residents and wildlife and the planet.

Kay Lynch

Kaneohe

Don’t call Las Vegas the ‘ninth island’

Can we please stop using the term, “ninth island,” when referring to Las Vegas? What probably began as a joke and then a marketing scheme now is widely used, much to the chagrin of our Native Hawaiian community.

Nihoa is the actual ninth island and is a place we can be proud of, with its history and diverse bird and plant species. Our islands are a spiritual place, so the joke of Sin City as the “ninth island” is really grating and shows a lack of respect to our people and our history.

We all love Las Vegas, and many of our people now call it home. But making it synonymous with one of our islands is wrong, especially today when we should know better. Enough already.

Kamalani Hurley

Mililani

Prosecutor’s office breeds mistrust

Months ago, Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm said he planned to rebuild public confidence in a fractured office plagued by corruption. Instead, it appears that leadership is kowtowing elsewhere — to a progressive movement aimed at defunding the police.

Why else would prosecutors, tasked with seeking justice for the citizens of Honolulu, ignore a grand jury decision? Yes, it’s statutorily allowed but that doesn’t mean it’s right.

Ironically, there’s now a greater rising tide of mistrust for the prosecutor’s office. This is clear from the majority of comments online or at public rallies where the presence of supporters for the three Honolulu police officers is far, far greater than the loud, small opposition.

This is not justice. Rather, it’s a subversion of our judicial system by a publicly elected official whose term lasts another 3-1/2 years.

Kaiwiola Coakley

Wilhelmina Rise

Property tax bills rise despite promises

I just received my real property tax bill. Despite Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s promise of no property tax increase, my annual bill jumped more than 21% in actual dollars.

Considering we’re all reeling from COVID-19’s impact, our local government is raking us over the coals while providing decreased or no improved services.

It’s a sham to say “no tax increase” because the city is not increasing the tax rate. If the city raises the assessed property value, we all will be paying more in taxes. If you say “no increase in property taxes,” that should mean no change in dollars. Otherwise, it’s just more governmental smoke-blowing.

R. Ronnie Goo

Mililani