We bought a home in Hawaii Kai for our five kids when no one wanted to live out here. It was too far or too much traffic. Now the area is developed and our same old home sits on a lot just as it was 45 years ago, aging gracefully with just the two of us in the home. The kids are gone.

I am retired, but taxes go on and the tax assessor gleefully reassesses property at higher values brought on by low interest rates. (This year he kept it about the same, but our rental properties suffered higher taxes.)

I feel a flat tax for all homes is fair. However, taxing a home based on some value to get more revenue to waste on some bureaucratic project is totally unfair. I reached the age of 85, and now I see my savings dissipating into the coffers of government. A flat tax is OK, but leave my retirement money alone.

Jim Delmonte

Hawaii Kai

EXPRESS YOURSELF

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser welcomes all opinions. Want your voice to be heard? Submit a letter to the editor.

>> Write us: We welcome letters up to 150 words, and guest columns of 500-600 words. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Include your name, address and daytime phone number.

>> Mail: Letters to the Editor, Honolulu Star-Advertiser 7 Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana, Suite #7-500 Honolulu, HI 96813

>> Contact: 529-4831 (phone), letters@staradvertiser.com, staradvertiser.com/editorial/submit-letter