I’m delighted that many bank employees will be receiving an end-of-the-year bonus due to the drastic cut in corporate tax rate.

However, I will not be receiving a bonus and I suspect many others in Hawaii will not be receiving a bonus either.

In a meritocracy, rewards are given to people for outstanding performance, and not just based on working for a bank that has had an unexpected windfall.

Catherine Ngo, CEO of Central Pacific Bank, said the bank wanted to “take care of our hard-working employees, who are our most important asset” (“Bank to offer bonuses,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 26).

I would argue that the bank’s most important asset are its customers. Perhaps using this windfall to provide perks or better interest rates to customers would be a better public relations move and might even help to increase the bank’s clientele base.

By the way, the insurance companies just increased medical insurance premiums; those bonuses will disappear within a matter of weeks.

Michael Bornemann

Hawaii Kai

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GOP tax plan will cut basic social services

The congressional Republicans have left crumbs on the table after their big giveaways to corporations and the wealthy who don’t need it.

These tax cuts will have harmful effects. They will add a huge debt burden of more than $1.5 trillion onto our children and grandchildren. Based on what Republicans have said, this swollen deficit will lead to cuts in basic social services, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. They constitute an attack on the middle class, the poor and the elderly.

Furthermore, the manner in which this legislation was “crafted” and passed was shameful — sloppy, secretive, with no hearings — rushed through to appease an egotistical president and his diminishing base of support.

My hope is this will be the last hurrah for a political party and president who serve only the rich and powerful and erode the living standards of the vast majority.

John Witeck

Kamehameha Heights

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‘Monster’ description shows media bias

With the trend being to bash the media for bias, I can understand why after reading the headline, “More ‘monsters’ are on the rise” (Star-Advertiser, Jan. 2).

Yes, they are large houses. Perhaps they are attempts to skirt the law. Most definitely they are legal — at least until the media, which obviously have taken sides on the issue, get a firm grip on the matter and move to make them illegal.

Opinions should be called such and posted in the opinion section.

We all know housing costs are high and many families try to find ways to own their own part of paradise. This is one way. Before making them all illegal, perhaps a better way of vetting them should be considered.

Either way, calling them “monsters” only works to promote fear in the voter’s mind. Call them what they truly are: “large” houses. Or prove further that the media are no longer neutral and have convinced themselves that their opinions are now facts.

Michael Turman

Wahiawa

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DOH leadership fails to take responsibility

Following last week’s critical audit of the state Department of Health, we are left with responses from its director, Virginia Pressler, that are alarmingly aloof and out of touch (“Audit critical of state’s response to disease outbreaks,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 29).

Despite major breakdowns in leadership that exacerbated infectious disease outbreaks and enabled the escape of dangerous inmates from the Hawaii State Hospital, there was no meaningful remorse (particularly for the dozens of people sickened with Hepatitis A, dengue and salmonella).

Rather than take full responsibility for the disorganization and failures outlined in the audit, responsibility was deflected upon a lack of resources. Continued hubris and lack of accountability will not solve the dysfunction at the Department of Health.

Stephen Chun, M.D.

Houston

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More public housing needed for homeless

The Hawaii Public Housing Authority, with very little media coverage, recently signed a $1.3 billion deal to develop Mayor Wright housing (“State officials sign deal on Mayor Wright redevelopment,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 30).

Is someone trying to hide the fact this huge investment gets us no net gain in public housing units? This deal doesn’t pass the “stink” test. We need more public housing if we ever hope to get the homeless off our streets.

Glenn Young

Nuuanu

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Enforce codes before requiring sprinklers

The tragic fire in the Bronx that killed 12 people spread quickly because a door was left open (“Deadly New York fire sparked by 3-year-old playing with stove,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 30).

It’s my understanding that solid doors with automatic door closers are required. How many of the high-rises without sprinklers comply with this part of the fire code?

I cannot see how the Marco Polo fire could have spread so quickly without doors being left open. With concrete floors, ceilings and most walls, a fire should be contained to a single unit. My building has quarterly air conditioning service and also checks of smoke detectors and automatic door closers to ensure they are working properly.

Occasionally a resident will remove the door closer, making the door easier to open, but creating a real fire hazard. This gets corrected quickly.

Do we really need to have owners spend hundreds of millions on sprinklers when enforcing the existing fire code would be almost as effective in saving lives?

Bill Nichols

Waikiki