Letters to the Editor

Squatters aren't owed beachfront property

I found the saddest part of your May 30 squatters article to be the fact that the two kids in the picture have never lived in a real home and, inferring from the attitude of their mother, never will.

It seems that the squatters have done nothing over the past decade to improve their situation and yet insist that they are somehow owed beachfront property.

It seems as if the police are publicly complaining too much about laws they don't agree with. It's a law, and the police should be looking for ways to implement it to the best of their ability, rather than throwing up their hands and saying it is unenforceable.

Perhaps working with the Department of Parks and Recreation and changing the camping permitting process might be a good start, after all.

Housing moratorium would let us catch up

I take issue with assertions made by Castle & Cooke recently. This developer maintains that a housing moratorium in Makakilo would hurt. Well, yes ... it would hurt Castle & Cooke! But for Makakilo-Kapolei residents, a housing moratorium would allow time for much-needed roads and classroom space to catch up with development in this rapidly growing community.

While Castle & Cooke has spoken at the local neighborhood board and other community meetings, questions raised there remain unanswered. Makakilo residents are looking for support to complete Makakilo Drive to the freeway to provide a second access road to Makakilo and alleviate traffic congestion in Kapolei. Residents also want additional classrooms for all grades to alleviate severe overcrowding that is already hindering education here. We would also like these roads built to 'Ewa Development Plan specifications and for promised park space to be provided.

These are not excessive demands. We are only asking for a fair shake from developers, and this developer's response that past developers have not provided such rings a bit hollow to these ears.

Let us get out of Iraq, the sooner, the better

We need to get out of Iraq!

After the interim government is in place by June 30 and a nationwide election is held sometime in January 2005, our troops and the coalition troops should pull out within six months. During that time period, we should request the help of the United Nations, especially from countries with Muslim majorities, to provide security after we leave. Hopefully, everyone will be out of Iraq by the end of 2005.

Many Iraqis were happy when Saddam Hussein was ousted, but that euphoria is no longer there. The welcome mat is nowhere to be found.

Honolulu airport could use some sprucing up

I have just returned from another trip to the Mainland and was again struck by three items:

• After seeing so many clean airports on this trip, I found Honolulu International Airport a disgrace. The drabness and dirt are a poor introduction to our city and Hawai'i. The carpets look as if they could stand to be scrubbed and vacuumed, and the concrete, tile and textured walks need to be repaired, pressure-washed and sealed where needed. These items don't call for a major million-dollar repair job or makeover, just professional, ongoing maintenance.

• Why can't the Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau loan or give the same introductory video that Hawaiian Airlines has to the other airlines? It is beautiful and a welcoming introduction to Hawai'i — advertising at its best, upbeat and a hype for first-time visitors.

• Why can't baggage carts be free? This manini operation surely isn't a moneymaker, and free service would make us equal to most of the other airports I visit around the world.

Police take on many duties not their own

For those of you who always say "Where's the police? They're never around when you need them":

• The fine men and women of the Honolulu Police Department will handle problems in public housing, public schools and the state highways and freeways. The sheriffs should do this.

• HPD will respond to barking-dog and loud-rooster complaints. The Hawaiian Humane Society used to respond to these calls.

• Harbors Division used to handle calls in the state boat harbors. Not anymore; HPD does this.

• The Liquor Commission once took a more enforcement-active role at drinking establishments notorious for bar fights. Hardly anymore; HPD does.

• Calls to 911 about illegal fishing or hunting must be handled by HPD because the DLNR's enforcement phone line is met with only a voice recording.

Government isn't giving us what we pay for

Let's be clear: Hawai'i has one of the greatest tax burdens in the country.

As someone who is a transplant from one of the least-taxed states, I notice the difference when I look at my pay stub.

How is it that the roads and schools are so much better in states that have a lesser tax burden? Why would a state that has such a great tax burden not be able to provide its citizens the due compliment of having one of the most well-educated populaces in the nation and an infrastructure to match?

This is a problem of one party dominating the politics for decades with no significant challenge, and the end results are both corruption and laziness. Does anyone deny that this is the truth?

Ultimately, it is the voters who must bare the responsibility for the lackluster performance of their government. Thus, it is up to the voters to step up and make the changes necessary to produce a responsible and efficient government.

'Binding' arbitration is just that, the law says

State chief negotiator Ted Hong stated in his May 25 letter that a more accurate term for "binding arbitration" would be "advisory arbitration."

This is a novel concept, so I decided to check for myself. I looked in the Hawai'i Revised Statutes and found that the collective bargaining law Chapter 89-11 (g) states, "The decision of the arbitration panel shall be final and binding upon the parties on all provisions submitted to the arbitration panel."

The law is straightforward. There is nothing "advisory" about the arbitration decision. It is definitely final and binding upon the state and the union.

Hong also wrote that "the state is not legally required to follow an arbitrator's decision."

Chapter 89-11 (g) disagrees and states, "The parties shall take whatever action is necessary to carry out and effectuate the final and binding agreement." Again, straightforward language that the state must legally honor the decision.

Hong concluded by criticizing a public school administrator for wanting his arbitrated pay raise. I do not recall Hong similarly criticizing the governor and her Cabinet for accepting hefty raises from the Executive Salary Commission. The governor herself gets an 18 percent raise in 2006.

It is very clear the Lingle administration believes that what is good for the bosses is not good for the workers.