LEADING NATION IS NOT SURPRISING

The headline "Isle housing costs now highest in U.S." (Sept. 22) might better have read, "We're still No. 1!"

Unfortunately in most ways, this just isn't news. Hawai'i has topped the list of states for estimated owner-occupied housing units in every decennial census going back to 1960. And we have been No. 1 or No. 2 for rental costs since 1980.

My late friend Harvey Shapiro would have pointed out that the first statistic also means Hawai'i homeowners have the highest housing values in the country, assuring them of wealth needed for things like medical emergencies or helping educate their children.

However, that silver lining comes with substantial clouds — other Census data stretching back decades also show we are perpetually among the national "leaders" in things like small home size, crowding, workers per unit and, of course, low homeownership rates.

It won't be easy to turn any of this around, but hats off to groups like Housing Hawai'i, which are trying to summon up the political will for change.

But given our history, it makes you wonder why the University of Hawai'i is not among the national leaders in affordable housing research and policy studies.

John M. Knox, Ph.D. | Honolulu

VACATION RENTALS

LACK OF ENFORCEMENT LEFT US VULNERABLE

"We live on an island, people," said Councilman Ikaika Anderson during Tuesday's hearing on illegal vacation rentals. He is right. However, he is wrong about what that means. Because we live on an island, respect for our laws is a necessity.

The council, however, has rewarded, not punished, those who flagrantly violate the law. In doing so, it has encouraged, not reduced, illegal behavior. The council began down this path 20 years ago when it responded to violations of residential zoning laws by caving in to violators. By failing to enforce its laws, the council created the situation that troubles our community today.

If residents complain, there is no government enforcement. If they sue, there is no enforceable judicial remedy. If we testify before our lawmakers, our words fall on deaf ears. By failing to enforce the law, government has left the community vulnerable.

We may live on an island. However, we may no longer live in a community where the law matters.

C. Connors | Kailua

AIRPORT AGENTS

VISITORS' 1ST CONTACT SHOULD BE PLEASANT

After a great trip to Japan, I was sorely disappointed when "greeted" on my return. Maybe it was too early in the morning, maybe they didn't have their coffee — but the INS and Customs agents acted as if they were doing us a favor!

Brushing it off as a one-time incident, I felt compelled to write this as I heard similar comments from friends and associates. Being that this is the first encounter with our state, the first impression that a visitor has, shouldn't there be better management of the personnel staffing these functions?

I'm quite certain there are good agents but all it takes is one — and for that one, it's unfortunate that we can't say "Don't let the door hit you on the way out."

George Mosier | Pearl City

TEACHER FURLOUGH

FURLOUGHS SHOULD BE DURING VACATIONS

Now that the HSTA members (81 percent) approved their contract, I applaud the HSTA leadership and members in taking the first step in helping reduce the state's budget shortfall and eliminating the layoffs of young teachers for the next two years. This is a step forward in lieu of what the HGEA leadership is doing to protect their young members: nothing.

The thing that concerns me is, why are some of the teachers contradicting the contract by saying that the (17) furlough days will shortchange the students? If the students' learning is a priority, then why weren't the furlough days scheduled during the spring, winter and summer vacations, when the students and teachers are away from school?

George Nakashima | Pearl City

WHITE HOUSE POLICY

NEW ADMINISTRATION HAS EFFECTED DOOZIES

In just eight months the White House has changed the name of the "war on terror" to "an overseas contingency," proclaimed that nondomestic terrorists should be given Miranda warnings, ordered the Justice Department to investigate and bring charges against CIA interrogators doing their best to keep us safe, ignored the killing of Iranian protesters, agreed to Russian demands to ignore mutual defense pledges with Poland (with no apparent quid pro quo), bowed to Muslim kings, exploded the national deficit more than all past White House administrations combined, promised to severely reduce our nuclear arsenal as unfriendly countries want to build theirs, and has delayed giving Gen. McChrystal the troops he says he needs to confront the al-Qaida threats in Afghanistan. I feel safer already!

Mark Desmarais | Honolulu

HEALTH CARE

MANY SENIORS BACK OBAMA AND REFORM

A letter in the Advertiser Sept. 15 repeatedly invokes "we seniors" in opposition to President Obama's efforts at health care reform. Other sources cite seniors' opposition to "big government" becoming involved with health care.

Odd, isn't it, that most seniors are heavily dependent on Social Security and Medicare for their survival, which are certainly "big government" programs they would not want to give up.

The fact is that many informed seniors do support President Obama and health care reform, including a public option (which they already enjoy in Medicare), despite claims to the contrary.

Bill Cunningham | Kane'ohe