B&B LICENSES

BIG KAMA'AINA HOMES SHOULD BE ELIGIBLE

Opponents of City Council Bill 6 ("Honolulu City Council favors legalizing new B&B operations," Oct. 16) are concerned that these rentals will destroy the integrity of O'ahu neighborhoods.

There are many big, old kama'aina homes in old kama'aina neighborhoods owned by kama'aina families that are graying. These big old homes and little old homeowners are just not compatible with our smaller contemporary families.

These old kama'aina relics are the integrity of our neighborhoods and deserve to be preserved and protected.

Kama'aina owner-operators of B&B's who are neighborhood residents for more than 20 years should be eligible for B&B licenses. We should not be chasing down our kama'aina kupuna who have B&Bs if there are no complaints from their neighbors.

Large, old homes and mansions, especially those that have been owned by kama'aina families for generations, should be eligible for licenses. Preserving these old local homes and old local homeowners deserves special consideration in the disposition of these new B&B licenses.

B&B VOTE A SLAP AT O'AHU NEIGHBORBOODS

The recent vote by the City Council to give preliminary approval to Bill 6, which would eventually legalize bed-and-breakfast operations on O'ahu, is disheartening and a slap in the face to our local communities.

How can the council support a bill that is not supported by neighborhood boards in places such as Waimanalo and Kailua and even the city's own Planning Commission?

Does the council know what's best for individual communities? Does the council want to decrease the number of long-term rentals in this already tight market in favor of short-term vacation rentals?

Does the council understand the implications of their actions on future generations? This whole debate is about money and greed, on behalf of the owners of the illegal vacation rentals and the City Council themselves, who see an avenue to swell their depleting coffers. We have seen what greed causes with the recent implosion on Wall Street. Enough is enough, let's not sell out our communities for a quick buck.

BEVERAGE CONTAINERS

ALOHA STADIUM LACKING IN RECYCLING EFFORT

As a longtime University of Hawai'i football season-ticket holder, I am disappointed that Aloha Stadium does not make an effort to encourage recycling of beverage containers.

I've seen many tailgaters throw their beverage containers in the trash bins around the parking lot. The stadium does not provide recycle bins both inside and outside of the facility to collect recyclable beverage containers.

The city is making a great effort to encourage recycling to help alleviate our landfills; it's time for the state to step up and fully support recycling.

CONCON

CONCON WOULD FORCE SOME VITAL QUESTIONS

The 1978 Constitutional Convention illustrated the impact that 102 everyday citizens could have in shaping Hawai'i.

The diverse group of delegates gathered not in pursuit of selfish interests but with a commitment to exercise their right to be heard. It was the start of political careers for some like future governor John Waihee III and former mayor Jeremy Harris, and a highlight for civil servant Bill Paty and public interest attorney William Burgess. Thirty years later, we are presented with the same opportunity in a time of new concerns.

Who is behind the anti-ConCon movement? The Mainland-based National Educational Association is payrolling groups such as the Hawaii State Teachers Association and the University of Hawai'i Professional Assembly (banded as the Hawai'i Alliance) to the tune of $325,000. Something seems amiss when 80 percent of Hawai'i eighth-graders perform below the proficient reading level, yet teacher unions are battling threats to the status quo.

A ConCon would force vital questions about the way state government is run — questions that government officials may find threatening.

While ConCon estimates range from $2.5 million to $42 million, every year the Legislature spends $37 million in administrative costs alone.

A ConCon is a bargain — one that provides a rare opportunity to increase government transparency and accountability for all.

DISCRIMINATION

MENTALLY ILL DESERVE OUR COMPASSION, HELP

When has blatant discrimination against those who suffer from mental illness become the vogue in our community?

I was stunned by the voices that nixed the city's requirement for a new housing development on River Street to specifically serve mentally ill homeless with 40 percent of the units.

The project was conceived as a response to area residents who wanted homeless individuals taken off the streets. Many homeless people who populate the Downtown area have multiple needs.

I am deeply saddened to realize that the stigma of mental illness continues to run so deep among our local residents. This stigma often leads individuals suffering mental illness to hesitate seeking or accepting treatment. It also contributes to people suffering deep depression to commit suicide, or to fall into alcoholism and drug abuse.

Such was the experience of IHS founder Father Claude Du Teil, who himself suffered "manic depression" (as bipolar mood disorder was known in his day) that led him to alcoholism before he was correctly diagnosed and treated for his mental illness.

Most would agree that he made a lasting contribution to the community with his acts of compassion.

I hope Honolulu residents might consider fresh ways of helping those who are homeless and struggling with life because of impairments to thoughts or mood.

After all, each of them is still someone's brother or sister, son or daughter, mother or father, lest we have forgotten.

ELECTIONS OFFICE

OFFERS TO VOLUNTEER AT POLLS WENT UNHEEDED

Regarding local election officials' concerns about a lack of staffing during the general election, their laments are falling on deaf ears here.

My friend and I were very excited about this historic election and tried five times to volunteer our services, both online and via phone.

Our calls were not returned, we heard nothing via e-mail and we finally quit trying out of frustration.

I unfortunately suspect that the Elections Office will treat voters with no more competence and ability on Nov. 4, so expect vast mismanagement and confusion on that day.