HOMEOWNERS

REAL ESTATE SPECULATORS DRIVE UP PROPERTY TAX

I'm a loyal taxpaying owner-occupied homeowner. Why do the City Council and city administration let me be victimized by the real property tax system via the market and speculators?

TO SOLVE PROBLEMS

BILLIONAIRES MUST GIVE MORE OF THEIR MONEY

It occurred to me while reading an article about the Gates Foundation that there are not more billionaires contributing to these types of causes, such as homelessness and the poor.

If we were to enact a law that after your first billion, 1 million of every billion after that would go to these types of problems (it would be called "The poor man's law"), it would help to alleviate some major problems. Then we could move on to things like free medical for all, and so on.

Money won't solve everything, but it wouldn't hurt.

BOTTOM FISHING

NORTHWESTERN ISLANDS MONUMENT TOO LARGE

Vast sums of federal and trust money have been spent to persuade Hawai'i residents of the significance of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument. Most disturbing to both fishermen and consumers of bottom fish is the unnecessary vastness of this project. The boundaries were defined to far exceed the reef area of these islands, atolls, shoals and banks.

The bureaucrats in Silver Springs, Md., egotistically decided to define the NWHI sanctuary area so as to exceed the area of the Great Barrier Reef Sanctuary of Australia. While once being able to boast of having the largest marine sanctuary, the Aussies are not to be outdone and are considering an increase in the size of their reef sanctuary.

The ramifications of this national bureaucratic rivalry is that it excludes bottom fishers from the NWHI. These few fishers fish at depths of 200 to 1,000 feet far beyond the reef area. This exclusion reduces the supply of bottom fish for Hawai'i consumers. Supporting the feds' effort are the minions of the Pew Charitable Trust, who have attempted a buyout of the remaining bottom fishing licenses of those who fish the NWHI for bottom fish. Thus, behind the bureaucratic rivalry and extreme conservationists lies a clash of cultures between those of locals and outsiders.

EDUCATION

KUDOS FOR NIU SCHOOL'S NEW CURRICULUM PLAN

Congratulations to Niu Valley Middle School and Principal Justin Mew ("Niu Valley Middle to pilot elite curriculum," Jan. 1).

In just your first year as principal of the school, you've chosen to chart a course using the elite International Baccalaureate curriculum for a more globally focused education.

It is clear that such a change requires bold leadership at the school level and a willingness by parents and students to cooperate to accomplish the high purpose of such an enriched curriculum.

Best of luck as you travel on what seems will be an exciting journey down a great river of learning.

SYMPHONY

CONCERT HALL IS A VENUE THAT MUST BE SHARED

In response to recent articles and editorials saying the Ho-nolulu Symphony is being forced out of its home at the Blaisdell Concert Hall, please be assured that no such action has occurred or is contemplated.

The Blaisdell staff made every effort to retain as many requested dates as possible for the symphony's 2007-2008 season. Alternate dates were also provided. At the time of contract signing for the 2006-2007 season, Honolulu Symphony staffers were also made aware of the possibility that a large Broadway show was considering a performance in Hawai'i.

The show that has been mentioned offers a tremendous opportunity for the citizens of Ho-nolulu to experience another aspect of the performing arts. It has received rave reviews, and will be enjoyed by many who would not normally have exposure to such a venue.

The City & County of Ho-nolulu is committed to the Ho-nolulu Symphony and the performing arts. Just a few weeks ago, Mayor Mufi Hannemann presented a city grant in the amount of $75,000 to the Hono-lulu Symphony Society.

The Blaisdell is the only major concert hall available on O'ahu, and we need to allow other organizations the opportunity to use it periodically. In past years, it has been the Honolulu Symphony dates that prevented other shows of shorter duration from performing.

We all need to share this important city asset.

IRAQ

WATADA IS A NEW BREED OF THINKING SOLDIER

The letter by Al Eisner (Jan. 2) is more shocking evidence of the pervasive attitude of conformity in our society.

Lt. Ehren Watada is a new breed of thinking, brave soldier who knows what the oath he took means and demands. He realizes that you cannot follow orders by a regime that discounts the rights of its citizens, and by deception tricks its fighting men and women into action.

We should all take a history lesson and learn from not-so-distant military disasters.

We know that this war started under a totally different scenario than World War II, etc. The simplistic rule of "you are either with us or against us" does nothing to explain Ehren Watada's guilt or innocence.

This war has caused us to disagree vehemently, thus creating heated discussions. So disagreement within the military is not only normal, but to be expected. Ehren Watada has been courageous enough to lead us into this debate.

Risking his young future, in a different way than those with guns in the war zone, he, too, is serving his country.

ENVIRONMENT

EARTH'S LIFE WILL ADAPT TO GLOBAL WARMING

Global warming should by now be recognized as fact. Shrinking glaciations and polar ice are evident. This global climate change is feared by many, especially those in areas with marginal elevations such as Pacific Ocean island communities. Aside from some necessary relocations, is this global warming all negative?

Increased global warming should do several things. Warmer air will hold more moisture, increasing rainfall. Warmer air uplifts and oceans will lead to more severe weather patterns.

More rainfall may slowly check and reverse the southward expansion of the Sahara desert. A warmer climate will extend growing seasons, and increased areas and seasons of plant growth will increase the atmospheric oxygen and reduce carbon dioxide.

Polar ice caps will recede at an increasing rate. Temperature-sensitive organisms like coral will die off and perhaps adjust by flourishing at increasing depths where the water will be cooler.

Life will not end, it will adapt. Hats will be in, and shaved heads will be out. Heat from the sun will have an exponential warming effect on the atmosphere with its increasing capacity for holding moisture.

So look for hot and humid days and lusher plant growth!

TAXES

WELFARE RECIPIENTS SHOULD BE DRUG-TESTED

As a teacher holding down two jobs, I pay taxes (lots). I work hard, and if they require me to take a drug test, I'd do it.

I think it's time we start making all welfare recipients and people collecting unemployment checks pass a drug test.

I don't think this is too much to ask of them, since they don't work and I pay for their living.

It's not real difficult, and they don't even have to study or do homework. It might even save us lots of money — you think?