What is Hawaii without free public access to shoreline and recreation areas?

The Hawaii Community Development Authority is holding this fragile issue in its hands with the proposed development of the Kewalo harbor. This is public land that needs to remain public — not leased to for-profit corporations that have no real interest.

The veiled offers of public access by profit-making enterprises is a slap to the face of any thinking person who knows how businesses work. The “lei of green” needs to be just that — a completion of the open park area between Ala Moana Beach and Kewalo Basin.

Let’s hope that our nonprofit watchdog groups come together to stop HCDA from granting any leases where shoreline access is developed for private gain.

Imagine Honolulu’s “lei” being stripped away for private profit.

John Shockley
Makakilo

Help those who help themselves

Homelessness is a tough issue in Hawaii experienced by veterans, drug addicts, the poorly educated, the mentally ill, displaced mothers and children, freeloaders, tourists, the working poor and on and on.

It doesn’t seem possible that it can be eradicated, but a lot could be done to help those willing to help themselves.

This morning I came across a homeless man sleeping on a concrete walkway under the eves of a building. When he heard the sounds of people around, he picked up his belongings, then the loose newspaper he had been sleeping on. No litter; he cared.

What a stark contrast to those shown on the news living in piles of trash, leaving it on the street for others to pick up.

Being homeless is a real problem needing a solution, but so is supporting people who just don’t care.

Greg Schmidt
Hawaii Kai

Some rail funds can be diverted

A lot of well-intentioned time and effort is being put in by the governor, mayor and other state and city officials on moving 200 to 300 homeless individuals from here to there while the total number of unsheltered exceeds 7,000 statewide.

Ultimately it will come down to money. The $1.3 million provided by the governor’s emergency proclamation is peanuts. City Council chairman Ernie Martin’s idea to use unexpended rail tax funds for affordable housing is a good idea. It should be expanded to include funding for the homeless and implemented by using a portion of the $160 million rail tax diverted into the state’s coffers so far, and by taking a portion of the rail tax each year. Funds needed to complete the rail could be borrowed by issuing bonds backed by the rail tax.

Dennis Kohara
Kaimuki

Council hires fox to guard hens?

Hiring a law firm to defend the City Council against ethics code violations in the ongoing rail drama seems like a simple job, as there are certainly many law firms out there to choose from (“City transit official is director of firm receiving rail case,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 9).

Yet the City Council has chosen to hire the law firm that includes a Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board member. It sounds a bit like letting the fox guard the hen house.

Such an action is either blatantly arrogant, or just plain dumb.

Dawn Garbeil
Maunawili

UH should end football program

I am not against college sports programs. However, it is becoming painfully clear that the University of Hawaii has to make a tough decision.

Our football team at Manoa hasn’t had a winning season in years. Not only that, but the university system has been losing money for years. Buildings in disrepair and the pay scales of university officials and coaches, as well rising tuition, paint a bad picture.

It is time for UH to consider not having a football team and using the money to keep buildings in repair and help lower tuition rates. I know athletes may need their scholarships, but they are here for an education and few will ever make a pro team.

Robert Davis
St. Louis Heights

UH sports need better marketing

While searching for a new coach, the state and the University of Hawaii also need to address systemic problems that make it hard for anyone to succeed here.

The first issue is revenue flowing into the athletic program. All game-day revenue should flow to the program, especially since it covers the cost.

Also, the Hawaii Tourism Authority should provide money to the school every time a UH team appears on national television.

UH needs to understand the athletics department is a marketing tool and treat it as such.

The second issue is much larger and applies to the state’s general inability to approve anything. This is evident by the UH’s sluggishness when it comes to hiring, signing a contract, or completing a construction project, as well as the state’s inability to spend federal funds that are already there.

Without changes to these issues it won’t matter who is hired.

Tyler Street
Lower Punchbowl

Thanksgiving is a reminder

Thanksgiving Day is fast approaching. It’s a reminder to express our gratitude for the good things we’ve received and show compassion for those who are less fortunate.

Most of us will be enjoying a nice Thanksgiving dinner with our loved ones and friends. But for many others, this day is just another day without food and shelter.

This eventful day gives us an opportunity to rekindle the flames of kindness and help the poor and the hungry — specifically the homeless. They take shelter where they can, and poor working families strive to free themselves from the grip of poverty.

We are a big-hearted people. Compassion is one of our defining traits and one way to preserve this is to help the needy so they, too, can have a joyous holiday season.

Rod B. Catiggay
Mililani

Cane burning is not Hawaiian

Raised in Haiku, I lived in Los Angeles as an adult for nine years.

It was pretty sad returning to Wailuku, Maui, and inhaling cane smoke and getting awful headaches.

I drew the line when I picked up my daughter at Paia School 10 years ago next to a burning cane field and found out that they stayed in a hot classroom with doors and windows shut so as not to let in smoke.

I spent years calling officials at Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar, asking them to please put air conditioners in the Paia classroom or to at least cut the cane around Paia. They gave me every excuse.

It is a farce that cane burning is cultural. The ancient Hawaiians did not burn cane and the sugar barons were involved in the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy. Furthermore, I have met more people on Maui with breathing problems than in Los Angeles.

Please stop the burning.

Margi Calder
Wailuku