Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning looks forward to working with HECO, the state and the county toward meeting O'ahu's energy needs in a cost-effective and environmentally beneficial manner.

DEBT CEILING

BILLS ON CITY BUDGET ARE INHERENTLY FLAWED

The City Council is holding hearings on Bills 78 and 79 relative to creating a city budget ceiling and limiting the city-issued bond debt payment to 20 percent of the general fund revenues in any one year.

Although the drive to set a ceiling on the budget is laudable, the issues with Bill 78 are the provisions for suspending the ceiling. Essentially the ease with which the ceiling can be suspended creates a climate in which bad planning and bad management become the order of the day, rewarded with a slap on the wrist. No accountability. Just go to the council for more money.

The core issue is the population and/or property value growth factors defined in the bill, but not explained — i.e., how are these growth factors determined in the first place?

The problem is further compounded by Bill 79 with its 20 percent debt payment limitation. First, the limit seems high as it means that only 80 percent of the general fund revenues are actually available to the city. However, assuming the city staff makes an error in their growth factor estimates, then it's possible that less than 80 percent would be available to the city, as we cannot default on the loan payments — i.e., the ceiling is suspended and now the city has to raise taxes again.

Nowhere in either Bill 78 or 79 is there any mention of cutting expenditures or lowering the budget.

BUT THANKS

NEITHER FASHION FLAIR NOR MUSICAL TALENT

I'd like to thank Lee Cataluna for the kind comparison to Jake Shimabukuro in her Jan. 10 column (saying I'm "dressing more like Jake Shimabukuro" these days).

Jake is an amazing talent who gives so much to our community. I've only been mistaken once before for the stylish virtuoso, by a nearsighted fan of his.

I must admit, however, that I'm really not blessed with much of a fashion sense. I am blessed, though, with a wife and daughters who do have that flair. They wanted me to write this letter to thank "Aunty" Lee for recognizing their efforts. Now, if only I could play the 'ukulele!

VALUATIONS

ILLEGAL RENTALS ARE SHOOTING UP OUR TAXES

The exceedingly high housing valuations and property tax bills are partly being fueled by the City & County's inability to properly enforce the residential zoning laws. This negligence has helped spawn a highly profitable yet completely illegal vacation rental industry in O'ahu's residential neighborhoods.

These businesses are illegal, are unfair to every residential homeowner who expects to be protected by our city's laws, and are helping to drive local housing costs (and your property taxes) through the roof.

If you are annoyed about your property tax, then contact the mayor and your council member and demand that they stop allowing illegal vacation rental businesses in residentially zoned neighborhoods.

AFFORDABLE

MALAYSIA OFFERS O'AHU MASS TRANSIT SOLUTIONS

I live in Honolulu, but I am writing from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Exactly two years ago, my wife and I were here on vacation. Yesterday, we traveled on an elevated, six-lane express freeway that traverses the city that didn't exist the last time we were here.

To put this extraordinary feat into perspective, imagine building an elevated freeway over our existing one from Pearl City to Kaimuki, including on-ramps, off-ramps and flyovers.

But folks, that's not all. Built next to the freeway was a light-rail system, complete with train stations and pedestrian overpasses, all in full operation.

From what I am told, all this was built very affordably and in less than two years. Obviously, they know something we don't.

So why not hire Malaysians to build our mass transit system? Riding down that elevated freeway was proof enough for me that they are light years ahead of our capabilities. In the time we've only been talking about mass transit proposals, they actually built two working solutions.

If the capability exists in this world to build an affordable mass transit system, shouldn't it be investigated?

DR. KING BROUGHT MESSAGE OF EQUALITY TO THE ISLANDS

Most of the people of Hawai'i are pausing today to remember and celebrate the significance of Martin Luther King’s life. Most of us know his contributions to the civil rights struggles in this nation, yet we slow down and honor his work and legacy.

We have to admit that his legacy has made America a more civil society, not perfect but certainly improved.

King visited Hawai'i twice, in 1959 and 1964. In 1959, the Honolulu Ministerial Union invited him to give talks at various places in the city.

The first visit was the year of statehood and great interest in racial equality. He spoke at the Armed Forces YMCA, and to the students and faculty at Punahou School. Also, he made a public appearance at the McKinley School auditorium.

King stated in his speech that evening "that time does not heal problems of a social order. Social change comes only through tireless work and persistent effort of dedicated individuals."

In 1964, King was invited by the Hawaii Council of Churches and the Symposium Committee of the University of Hawai'i Associated Students. He spoke to an audience of 10,000 at the university’s Andrews Amphitheater as a part of a Civil Rights Week program.

He told his audience that "legislation cannot change the heart, but it can restrain the heartless. It cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me."

He also spoke at an ecumenical service at Central Union Church. The late Abraham Akaka, pastor of Kawaiaha'o Church, loaned him a white robe for the evening.

King spoke of world brotherhood and told his audience that nonviolence "is the most potent weapon available to an oppressed people in the struggle for human dignity."

The slaying of King in April 1968 shocked the nation and Hawai'i. Religious and other leaders in Honolulu planned memorial rites. The Hawaii Council of Churches and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu requested that all churches throughout the city toll their bells at noon on the day of the memorial march. Thousands turned out.

In 1964, King expressed his appreciation to Hawai'i "for the gentle sweetness of her people."