HOMELESS

MUDDLED THINKING, LACK OF PRIORITIES AT CITY AND STATE

I don't understand why several neighborhoods now have dog parks, where Fido and fellow dogs run leash-free. Dog parks are public-private partnerships. The dog owners raise most of the construction money, and the city provides the land. Should city land be used for helping people or dogs?

Tragically, at various times in recent years, the city and state have forcibly removed homeless people from their tents in various beach and city parks.

The logic behind dog parks and homeless removal actions represents muddled thinking and a lack of priorities.

Why can't the city let homeless people move their tents onto homeless parks? Living in a tent isn't ideal, but it is a better and cheaper temporary solution until something better comes along.

Why can't the city encourage developers and other groups to raise money and build parks for homeless people, the same way the Humane Society encourages the development of dog parks?

It amazes me how some people pamper their pets and overlook the more important needs of people.

It seems as though the good people of Honolulu would rather have dog parks in their neighborhoods than homeless shelters.

If a society is judged by how it treats the least fortunate, then let's all say "bow wow" to our neighborhood dog parks!

RESTAURANTS

TIPPING SHOULD BE FOR EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE

In response to Andrew Millbrooke's letter (Feb. 6) that military personnel are bad tippers. I find it hard to imagine someone criticizing them for poor tipping. They probably make less than you, are in a place other than home, and are protecting you, your family and this country.

Let's be real. If you don't like the tips, get another job. May I suggest you join the military and show your true patriotism. Then when you go out in a strange place other than home, and want a little entertainment, you can step up and give the correct (if you can afford it) tip.

I was also under the impression that a tip was for excellence in service. Since when did it become a requirement?

2008 ELECTION

OBAMA WOULD CHANGE AMERICA FOR THE BETTER

As a high school student, I feel that America needs Barack Obama because he would change America for the better.

The biggest and most dynamic change under an Obama presidency will be in foreign policy. As a nation, we need to re-think our approach to diplomacy. Major issues — terrorism, disease, nuclear weapons, environmental disaster — are increasingly international in scope. Sen. Obama is willing to meet with leaders of all nations because he hopes to make America a principal force in resolving global problems.

I believe as president Obama would make significant progress in setting forth a new, common-sense direction in foreign affairs. For example, he would immediately begin bringing home U.S. troops from Iraq, while remaining focused on eradicating terrorist networks such as al-Qaida's influence in the region; double America's contribution to fight global poverty to $50 billion; and set drastic and costly plans to invest in a clean energy future.

What truly makes him such a strong candidate is his admirable personal qualities. He tells audiences harsh truths. This honesty represents how he is keeping the citizens of America's best interests in mind.

With Obama as president, America would deliver its promises of equal opportunity, freedom and prosperity.

SENIOR BOWL

BRENNAN REPRESENTED HAWAI'I WELL IN MOBILE

We had the privilege of being in Mobile, Ala., during the Senior Bowl.

While Colt Brennan did not make a huge impression on the football field, he handled himself very well on TV and newspaper interviews, as well as meeting the fans at the autograph session.

Despite being asked tough questions by the media regarding doubts of his talent and abilities, Colt remained upbeat and gracious.

The line of fans seeking his autograph and wanting to meet him was second only to the SEC football players' line at the autograph session.

As residents of Hawai'i, along with former Hawai'i residents and many wannabe Hawai'i residents we met in Mobile, we were proud of the manner in which Colt Brennan represented Hawai'i and the essence of the aloha spirit.

COMMUTING

TRANSIT FARES SUGGEST A HEAVY SUBSIDY BY CITY

If the cost of transit is only going to be $2 to travel 20 miles, this system will have to be heavily subsidized. The cost in the Bay Area is about three times that, and in Tokyo it costs more than $3 to go five miles.

I remember a city transit manager saying there would be a subsidy of $100 million a year for the rail transit system.

It would be cheaper to give free rides on a local ferry system, and I doubt the estimated number of users given by the city authorities.

These are liar figures.

WAI'ANAE

LET THE LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS USE OUR PARKS

Not only do we have illegal squatters taking over the beach parks in Wai'anae, we have illegal squatters causing problems on a daily basis.

Recently, a guy was hiding from the police after throwing knives around at others at Ma'ili Point, where the homeless have taken over.

He was going back and forth between houses to hide and then he jumped in the ocean. Police said he was dangerous and possibly on drugs.

For almost two hours, he played in the water as the police on land could only watch him and wait for him to swim in.

He was kept safe and police made sure he would not get hurt. He's in the wrong, yet he is treated like a "good guy."

Every illegal squatter, every criminal, every drug dealer/user will continue to take over the parks; they are above the law here.

Enforce the law, clean up the parks and let the law-abiding citizens use them.

Will the city, the mayor, the police really enforce this eviction and keep them out?

TURTLE BAY

WE NEED TO WORK TO SAVE PART OF HAWAI'I

When I heard Gov. Linda Lingle's proposal to purchase the Turtle Bay property, a quote I used to have on my refrigerator came to mind. It read, "Make no little plans, they have no magic to stir men's blood. Make big plans, aim high, and WORK."

Here was a big plan and it stirred my blood. My only disappointment, and it probably shows my political naivete, was that the plan did not seem to stir everyone's blood the way it did mine.

If the property is available for purchase, we should not care who gets the credit for the vision of acquiring it. We should not care whether it is consistent or not with some past environmental decisions by Gov. Lingle — because on this one she is right.

It is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to save a piece of vanishing Hawai'i.

Rectifying a bad planning mistake of 20 years ago comes with a price. What is the price? I do not know. What I do know is that the price of not acquiring it will be much steeper.

Let's aim high and work. There are many creative ways to bring together dollars, but there will never be a way to restore to future generations lost beauty that rightfully should have been theirs.

HOMELESS

EMERGENCY SHELTER NEEDED IN HONOLULU

The affordable housing shortage is one of our biggest challenges, as noted in your Jan. 20 editorial, "Shelters won't solve Isles' homeless crisis."

However, this isn't an either-or situation. It's a complex problem that must be solved with a multipronged approach. And one element of this strategy should include an emergency shelter in urban Honolulu, as called for by the Lingle-Aiona administration.

Shelters provide a vital service for low-income residents who would otherwise be sleeping in parks, at the beach or on sidewalks. They also assist with food, medical care and employment opportunities.

Along with shelters, the administration supports construction of affordable units to increase the overall supply of housing. In fact, the state's Hawai'i Housing Finance & Development Corp. has a production plan to assist in more than 7,000 affordable units built over the next five years.

In an ideal world, everyone would have a comfortable home. In the real world, people lose their jobs, rents are raised and families find themselves out on the street.

At times like that, the importance of an emergency shelter is unmistakable.