While I agree that more hygiene centers are needed to assist Honolulu’s homeless, I take issue with the description of the hygiene center at Pauahi Hale that appeared in the Star-Advertiser (“Councilmen intent on tent cities,” March 28).
Mental Health Kokua’s (MHK) Safe Haven program has managed and staffed the Pauahi Hale hygiene center for a year.
The facility has two units with toilets and showers and is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. It is clean and painted a bright color.
Because it is staffed, the facility has experienced no vandalism, damage or graffiti.
More important, it serves 60 homeless people per day, conducts homeless outreach and screens people daily.
We also make referrals to services. In 2015, MHK placed 65 people into supported housing.
Thank you to the Chinatown community for its support and help in the effort to end homelessness.
Greg Payton
Chief executive officer, Mental Health Kokua
Loss of TMT is lost opportunity
It is a puzzle to me that some Hawaiians are proud of the voyaging canoe Hokule‘a, which is guided by the stars, but they are so against a telescope that could enlighten future generations of all people through enhanced study of the stars and the universe.
A few people have chased away opportunities for learning and for economic growth by forcing Thirty Meter Telescope officials to look for sites other than Hawaii for the $1.4 billion project. This project was studied and evaluated for seven years prior to the protests and was given the go-ahead.
Arlene G. Woo
Makiki
Proposed towers a bad trade-off
Three 350-foot towers in the middle of Waikiki, with developers claiming “less intrusive” views of the ocean for mauka residents?
It’s bad enough those monoliths would be scaring away tourists hoping for a Hawaii experience, but the idea completely ignores the effect on the rest of us.
One of the small pleasures of living on this island is the outline of Diamond Head, always beautiful and sometimes almost spiritual.
Want to have that profile marred forever by a shiny glass spike of condos and hotels?
In exchange, the builders are offering minuscule public parking, minimal homeless facilities and a small park. And with every look, you also get a reminder to vote out the politicians who give away what’s good about Hawaii.
Dan Binkley
Makiki
Superdelegates should heed vote
The people of Hawaii who participated in the Democratic presidential preference poll Saturday put up with a fiasco of a process.
Bernie Sanders won almost every district, prevailing over Hillary Clinton with about 70 percent in actual votes.
By election standards, it was a beat down.
Hawaii’s Democrats set a mandate.
I urge the party’s superdelegates Mazie Hirono, Brian Schatz, Mark Takai and Shan Tsutsui to reconsider their support for Clinton, and recognize the will of the people.
I urge the party’s other superdelegates to do the same.
Mel McKeague
Makakilo
Why not hold HMSA liable?
Does Sen. Rosalyn Baker have a second job with Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA)?
Is she funded by them?
What other reason could there be for her to rewrite House Bill 2740?
If HMSA wants its newly created policy of doctor-requested patient imaging to be pre-approved by a third-party company in Arizona, then HMSA should be willing to be accountable and responsible to its members. That means it should be liable for its policy decision; it is why members pay dues.
Baker should try and maintain an appearance of impartiality, or at least pretend she is working for consumer protection.
Listening to and incorporating the Hawaii Medical Association’s positions into the bill would have been the best she could have done.
Andrea W. Bell
Kailua
Hawaii taxes need overhaul
Sounds like it is time for the state and county to overhaul their tax policies.
Hawaii’s poorest are paying twice the tax rate of Hawaii’s wealthiest, and excuse me, but that’s almost too hard to say.
As for the state Department of Taxation arguing about its heavy administration costs, maybe it’s time to cut its staff, especially its top earners.
Sue Kachiroubas
Moiliili
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