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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Saturday, July 2, 2005

Letters to the Editor

Regular rentals can be worse than B&Bs

In the Kailua neighborhood I live in, there is mix of known long-term rental homes and known vacation rentals and B&Bs. The long-term rentals are the worst-cared-for homes in the neighborhood and usually have six to eight vehicles parked in the front yard and road, peeling paint, dried lawns with weeds, and the loudest parties.

By contrast, the vacation rental homes are well cared for, nicely landscaped and have the usual one or two cars in the garage.

So when people say that vacation rentals put a strain on our resources, they should instead be calling the non-resident homeowners of long-term rentals and asking them to stop lowering our property values by their poorly maintained homes.

Chris Beddow
Kailua



Will Akaka bill be good deal for all involved?

In all the discussions about the Akaka bill, why is it that no one has mentioned the most important consideration of all: Is it going to be a good deal financially for all the people concerned, the non-Hawaiian and Native Hawaiian citizens of the state of Hawai'i?

Consider this. Suppose the state of Hawai'i were for sale. Would it be worth more before or after approximately half of the state was taken without compensation and millions of dollars in revenues from rents and taxes were lost forever? A quick way to arrive at the answer is to pretend that you are a potential buyer.

The Native Hawaiians are confronted with a similar dilemma: how good a deal are they getting? What kind of value do they put on thousands of acres of fragmented parcels — marginal lands with no infrastructure, no improvements, scant revenues, little income — and a very distant development horizon? The only way to find out how much their land is worth is to advertise it for sale and see what akamai buyers are willing to pay.

Suppose the Akaka bill turns out to be an absolute disaster for reasons that no one can anticipate, like disagreements between the state of Hawai'i and the new Hawaiian nation, the possibility that the Supreme Court of the United States rules the bill unconstitutional, or that non-Hawaiians, Native Hawaiians or both become disillusioned with the outcome and demand to return to Square One. What will happen then? Hard to figure. The bill is silent on this point.

James Growney
Tantalus



Six-cylinder cars aren't much better

In response to Norma Nichols' June 24 letter concerning taxing any vehicle over six cylinders: Some eight-plus-cylinder cars are much lighter than the fewer-cylinder alternative, thus creating less need for repair.

I bet you drive a four-cylinder Jetta or Civic. Neither produce that much less emission than a new Ford Mustang GT, since the ultra-low and low-emissions vehicle regulations went into effect.

Also, before your tunnel-vision corrupts you, remember there are eight-cylinder trucks that deliver produce to the docks to be shipped to Hawai'i, and in Hawai'i there are trucks that deliver the sofa you sit on.

Note: The last time I checked, the number of four-cylinder econo-cars with single passengers far outnumbered the eight-cylinder cars.

Charles Trayer
Kapolei



Mom stepped out of her comfort zone

Congratulations to Sandy Yuasa! She placed third runner-up for the 2005 Mrs. Hawai'i Beauty Pageant. We are extremely proud of her accomplishment. Although she didn't win first place, she is a winner in our hearts.

Sandy is a wonderful role model for the women of Hawai'i. One year ago, she set her mind on competing in the Mrs. Hawai'i Pageant. As a mother of two kids (ages 27 and 29) and a grandmother for three grandchildren, she worked extremely hard to achieve her goal. Throughout the year, Sandy would exercise five days a week while following a strict diet consisting of fruits and vegetables. There were many obstacles during her journey; however, she continued to strive toward her vision.

We all have dreams and goals in our mind. But it will never come to reality unless we step out of our comfort zone and do something about it. Sandy is a perfect example of someone willing to take that extra step in life. We love you, Mom!

Rob Clark
Pearl City



Shannon Ajifu stood up for LGBT youth

I wish my son could have met her, but she left us too soon.

Shannon Ajifu is a woman I respected and admired. She was insightful, formidable and compassionate. Her convictions and inner strength allowed her to advocate for a group of kids who are usually discounted and overlooked: gay kids.

Shannon was one of the driving forces on the Board of Education who helped revise Chapter 19's Harassment Policy to include students who are harassed based on their sexual orientation. Shannon knew that lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) kids needed protection, and she did not stop her support until the rules were changed.

On behalf of all the LGBT youth and their parents and LGBT parents and their kids, and those who stand for civil rights for everyone in the Hawai'i public schools, thank you, Shannon. We will all miss you, but your spirit will live on in our hearts.

Gov. Lingle, please honor Shannon Ajifu's life and legacy. Appoint someone to her BOE position whom Shannon would approve of and nominate. Thank you.

Sue Reardon
Adviser, Kalaheo High School's Gay-Straight Alliance



Flag wrongly displayed

There is so much disrespect for our "Stars and Stripes" these days, but why does the Satellite City Hall in Pearlridge join them by displaying our flag with the stars and blue field to the south? It should be to the north; check your Boy Scout manual.

Chester Chaffee
Pearl City