CAGED ANIMALS

SUPPORT LEGISLATION FOR HUMANE TREATMENT

As an animal lover and financial contributor to animal rights groups such as PETA and The Dian Fossey Foundation as well as others, I find it atrocious to see these animals caged for such long periods of time. I have four dogs myself and make sure they get their exercise.

I've seen the Kaka'ako woman with all the caged cats, rabbits, and even a large hawk-like bird. I've even given her money but who knows where that was spent.

I encourage all to endorse and vote yes to the proposed House Bill 1510. There may be harsher issues out there such as the homeless, the meth-related crimes, the economy, etc. But this issue of inhumanely caging animals for such excessively long periods of time can simply be better enforced by passing this HB1510.

Please, everyone. Let's all have compassion for these poor, environmentally deprived pets that have compassion toward people and others alike.

LOW-INCOME HOUSING

TAX CREDIT PROGRAM KEY FOR PRESERVATION

This is in reference to the article (Feb. 8) written by Mary Vorsino on converting the state's public housing to mixed income developments. The article mentions that several funding sources would be required, including low-income housing tax credits.

Please be aware that our state Legislature is presently hearing a variety of bills (SB199, SB1247) that could eliminate the low-income housing tax credit program in Hawai'i.

This program is the largest source of equity funding in the nation for the development and preservation of low-income housing serving those at 60 percent and below of the area median income. The 2008 AMI for Honolulu for a family of four is $77,300 (2009 income limits have not been issued by HUD yet). EAH Housing supports the concept of mixed-income developments and the idea of transferring ownership of public housing to private entities. EAH is opposed to any legislation that limits or eliminates the current low-income housing tax credit program.

As a nonprofit housing developer and manager we could not do what we do without this tax credit program. The state should be considering ways to enhance this program to make it more competitive with Act 221 credits rather than considering its elimination.

CIVIL UNIONS

GOD'S CHILDREN SHOULD HAVE EQUAL PRIVILEGES

I'd like to respond to John Bishop's letter to the editor (civil unions) of Feb. 11. I just want to remind him that there was a time when majorities approved of slavery. Also, majorities didn't allow women to vote. What about majorities disapproving of interracial marriages?

Often it takes time for people like Mr. Bishop to open their hearts, instead of using their minds and their biases in forming their opinion. I hope that by now, more people have realized that the same God who made them made the others also, and being such a loving God, he'd like all his children to be treated equally and have the same privileges applied (unlike many religious leaders would have us believe).

I hope the above clarifies that majorities and religions do not always have the right answers, and that with further consideration and soul searching we learn to live and let live.

STIMULUS PACKAGE

A SOUND INVESTMENT IN HAWAI'I'S YOUNG KEIKI

Hawai'i's congressional delegates have led the way in supporting the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help our nation and our state emerge from the current economic doldrums — especially by investing in young children.

Last week, in Washington, D.C., I met with Rep. Abercrombie and staffers from the offices of Sens. Inouye and Akaka and Rep. Hirono to better understand the effects this legislation will have upon the children and families of Hawai'i.

I approached this issue not only as a policy director for Good Beginnings Alliance but also as an Air Force retiree who has lived around the world, a father, and the husband to a wife who has been a speech therapist, preschool teacher and kindergarten teacher.

I am pleased to confirm that this stimulus package will be a sound investment in early care and education with proven return for Hawai'i's economy.

The act includes new monies for Child Care and Development Block Grant, Head Start/Early Head Start, and Title I grants for K-12 special education and early education.

These new monies will benefit Hawai'i's youngest citizens, allowing parents to work, ensuring the growth of new jobs focused on quality learning for our children, and the creation of Hawai'i's future workforce by supporting the development of quality early childhood programs. Cost of economic stimulus plan — $789 billion; cost of investing in young children — priceless!

GAMBLING

STATES WITH LEGALIZATION NOT FARING ANY BETTER

Once again another bill is being introduced to legalize some form of gambling in our state. To suggest gambling in order to solve our budget crisis is outrageous. If we are one of only two states that lack any type of legalized gambling, then one would expect all the other states to be in better financial shape than us. As we can see, this does not work. California has both a lottery system and legal casinos. The lottery was meant to help the schools, yet we still hear of teachers being laid off.

State workers are also being required to take mandatory days off. Gambling can be enjoyable and sociable if kept within reason but the "chase" can lead to more significant problems.

In the long run, only the house wins. The only bet that I can guarantee is that we hard-earning taxpayers will have to put up with more idiotic ideas from some of our legislators in the future. To hear some of them whine that they are underpaid and can make more in the private sector I have two words — get out.

PARK FEES

PROPOSAL IS TO CHARGE TOURISTS, NOT RESIDENTS

I need to correct one item in your wonderful article on DLNR's plan to improve our state outdoor recreational places ("'Renaissance' proposed for parks," Feb. 11). DLNR is proposing to charge entry fees only for tourists, not residents, at a small number of state parks.

Most of the $240 million in park, harbor and trail improvements will be paid by commercial leases in areas like Kapolei and Campbell Industrial Park. But these revenues will not be enough to fix up and maintain our recreational places.

Our state spends about $107,000 per park/per year for all operating costs — that's maintenance, repairs, electrical, water, trash, master plans, everything — and has spent an average of $78,000 per park/per year in capital improvements over the past decade. It's no wonder these places are in poor condition.

Most people recognize park entry fees — common in national parks — are a fair way to raise funds to support parks. The DLNR Land Board will engage each affected community to identify the additional protections we must put in place to assure residents we don't intend to commercialize parks. We just want to care for these important places, and the residents and tourists who visit them, in the manner they deserve.

RAIL MONEY

TAKE OF FUNDS COULD WORSEN ISLE ECONOMY

Economic stimulus and creating jobs during this recession should be priorities for every policy maker and elected leader in our state.

Therefore, it is incomprehensible that Robert Piper of the state Department of Budget and Finance supports taking $300 million from the city's GET surcharge, which could delay the project ("We can't afford not to consider use of funds," Feb. 1). This could threaten thousands of potential jobs and more than $3 billion in economic stimulus.

Building rail transit will generate more than 11,000 jobs, creating paychecks for residents whose buying power will strengthen our economy.

Independent research by UH-West O'ahu economics professor Lawrence Boyd confirms this, demonstrating that the direct, indirect and induced local impact from building the airport route begins at $307 million this year, increasing to $1.2 billion in 2010 and $2.1 billion in 2011.

His investigation shows the rail project could soften the recession's impact this year, and could help grow the economy in 2010.

In addition, if the state were to grab the revenues from the GET surcharge specifically designated for this project, it could disrupt our progress and shake the confidence of federal transit officials.

According to Gov. Lingle's Web site, two goals of her "five point plan for economic action" are "investing in improvements to our infrastructure" and "maximizing federal dollars and partnerships."

Honolulu's rail transit project can help her achieve both goals, but only if we stay the course, and keep the GET surcharge money for its intended purpose.