FAR RIGHT A THREAT TO MORE THAN THE GOP

Is the far right continuing to control the GOP? Led by those such as Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck, they have done everything possible to align themselves with hate groups. They apparently dislike the president due to his race, opposed Sotomayor due to her race, and they oppose a woman's right to choose. They stridently oppose the rights of 50 million people to have health care.

What has happened to the majority of Republicans who don't agree? Are they afraid? Why won't they stand up for middle America and those who value love versus hate, diversity, health care for all, and a clear separation between church and state?

As a former Washington state legislator (Democrat), I saw the value of a two-party system where both sides work together in a civil manner. The far right is a threat not only to the Republican party itself, but to the fabric of our democracy.

Limbaugh recently compared the Democrats to Nazis, yet the Republican right wing's propensity toward hatemongering is extraordinarily dangerous. When 90 percent of the Germans failed to act, the Nazis took over the government, which won on lies. It is crucial that moderate and liberal Republicans take back their party.

Mark Litchman | Honolulu

RIVER ST. PROJECT

AREA HAS POTENTIAL TO BE CHINATOWN JEWEL

I don't know why our Downtown/Chinatown community is forced to take the brunt of the burden for sheltering the homeless, feeding the poor and providing services for the mentally ill and drug abusers.

It also makes absolutely no sense to talk about "revitalizing Chinatown," then consciously creating a skid row on River Street. River Street has the potential to be one of the jewels of Chinatown — it's in a historic district, next to the water, and across from the park, a perfect location for market-priced housing, shops and cafes. That would fit well with future plans of locating a transit station a few blocks away.

Lynne Matusow | Honolulu

CITY'S FOCUS SHOULD BE BEST USE FOR LAND

As a social worker, a resident and a Chinatown business owner, I have a unique perspective on the proposed River Street Residences. I support transitional housing for the homeless, housing for the mentally ill, and the Housing First model.

All of these concepts fit into my ideal of a compassionate society. However, the city government needs to plan social projects that provide a comprehensive continuum of care rather than just building on available city-owned land. Placing "housing first" in an area renowned for drug dealing will only enable the addicts to continue their self-destructive behavior.

In accordance with the Chinatown Neighborhood Board's recommendation, the city should include this property as part of a comprehensive plan for the River Street corridor and greater Chinatown. 1330 River St. may be blighted, but it is still waterfront property next to major city parks and Japanese and Chinese temples.

The city's focus should be the character of Chinatown and the highest and best use for this land. Many cities on the Mainland (San Antonio) and in Asia (Seoul) utilize riverfront assets as an economic engine.

Honolulu should do the same with the Nu'uanu Stream.

Sandra Pohl, MSW, MPH | Honolulu

GOVERNOR'S RACE

WILL JOB OF RUNNING CITY BE ABANDONED?

Does anybody still think Mufi Hannemann is not going to abandon his job as mayor to run for governor? First he transferred all his money into his gubernatorial war chest, then he sent his lawyers to block Neil Abercrombie from doing the same. It's typical for politicians to say one thing and then do another, but as an O'ahu taxpayer, I think this is more serious than usual. What is going to happen to rail transit, our solid waste and sewage issues and the city budget if no one is fully concentrating on running the City and County of Honolulu?

Pua Auyong | Honolulu

ORGAN DONATION

ADVANCES MEAN GIFT CAN BRING LONG LIFE

Your editorial ("Donors can provide priceless gift of life," Aug. 11) coincided with the news of the death of the longest-living heart transplant.

Tony Huesman died of cancer at age 51, 30 years after receiving a heart transplant. Potential organ donors should realize that transplant recipients can now lead long and productive lives thanks to advances in transplant medicine.

Michael Bornemann, M.D. | Honolulu

HURRICANE RELIEF

UNION LEADERS HAVE A SAY IN USING FUND?

Councilman Romy Cachola writes: "The pressing question facing state and union leaders is whether to use the (hurricane) fund to balance the budget." Am I missing something here?

Since when do the union leaders have a say in using the hurricane fund or any other government fund? I admit I have not read our state constitution, and Councilman Cachola may be better informed than myself on these matters.

Still, I don't remember voting for any of the union leaders in any of our state elections. Maybe it was a Freudian slip and he meant to say "union (-controlled legislative) leaders."

Peter Chisteckoff | Mililani

KAMA'AINA RATES

LOCAL HOTELS ACT LIKE FAIR-WEATHER FRIENDS

I would like to address the managers of the hotels here in Hawai'i: All year you have made it clear that business is bad, and that you need the support of your 'ohana (the kama'aina) to stay afloat.

Hawai'i, being the small community that it is, rushed to your aid. However, on a relatively busy weekend, I called a number of hotels looking for a kama'aina rate to celebrate a family event — and was told there were none. This is the definition of a fair-weather friend; you call upon us when you need us, but when it would be a stretch to return the favor, the doors are closed in our faces.

I will not be returning to any hotel that tells me that they are "too full" for kama'aina, instead choosing to spend my dollars elsewhere.

I hope you will keep that in mind when electing to charge a few more dollars for a room that will be very empty after Labor Day.

Kent Sharrar | 'Ewa Beach