PROPERTY VALUES

LUCKY YOU LIVE HAWAI'I — TAXES ARE GOING UP

Here we go again.

How can the City & County of Honolulu Real Property Assessment Division value a one-bedroom leasehold apartment with no parking at $317,100? I cannot even get $120,000 in the market.

The general excise tax is going up soon, property tax is going up. "Lucky you live Hawai'i," huh?

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

BAH, HUMBUG! TO RAIL, PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS

I just received a property assessment that is 130 percent higher than one year ago. Units in my building are not selling at 90 percent of last year's appraisal.

I cannot afford any additional taxes. Especially for a system that seems like nothing more than gravy for planners, contractors and financiers.

Nearly all riders of the transit system will come from the present bus system.

Finally, I have heard no mention of how much land and access will have to be taken from current landowners (chances are a lot) by condemnation.

Happy Holidays! Santa says HO HO NO!

CONCERT HALL

CITY SHOWS NO RESPECT FOR SYMPHONYGOERS

I am stunned and appalled by the city's decision to bump the Honolulu Symphony out of the Blaisdell Concert Hall for the first half of the 2007-2008 season to accommodate "The Lion King."

This signals a total lack of support for the symphony. It also broadcasts a lack of respect for the symphony, subscribers and the many others who benefit from the presence of the Honolulu Symphony.

It would be lovely to have an arts complex that would include a theater that could host such productions. Donald Trump, where are you? Our great city needs something more than multimillion-dollar condos. We are at risk of losing our soul for the almighty dollar.

WATADA CASE

OVER THESE HOLIDAYS, REMEMBER TRUE HEROES

I was shocked to see that Ehren Watada was given leave as he is facing a court-martial in early January and is going to "discuss" his stance on the war.

Mr. Watada (I refuse to call him Lt.) will celebrate a great holiday season being lauded as a "hero." I hope that Mr. Watada enjoys his holidays, and I hope he remembers all those who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan this year who are not with their families and who will not be given a forum in which to spew their opinions.

I also hope he remembers all those who have given their lives. When I hear this man being called a "hero," I almost want to laugh. I can tell you about a "true hero," whom Watada will not acknowledge. His name was Capt. Mark Paine and he was killed in Taji, Iraq, Oct. 15. He was a great friend of my husband and served as one of our groomsmen six years ago.

However, while Mr. Watada spends his holidays here in Hawai'i, Mark will spend this and every holiday hereafter resting in Arlington Cemetery.

Please remember the heroes who are serving or have served and those who gave the last full measure of devotion for their country. They're the real heroes.

UPKEEP

TENNIS COURTS NEED BETTER MAINTENANCE

Can the city do more to maintain our tennis courts? The Pearlridge Park courts in 'Aiea have hundreds of feet of hazardous cracks. A resurface would take care of the problem. Time is of the essence. It would be sad if someone got permanently injured. Please don't let the answer be to remove the nets, as was done at the Koko Head courts last year.

Hawai'i's tennis world should be another steppingstone toward our youths' dreams. Tennis courts also provide the opportunity for our elderly players to enjoy more camaraderie and smiles during their twilight years.

The sight of tennis courts creates a spark in thousands of young and older eyes. Let's keep those sparks alive and provide the resources to maintain and safely spread this tennis excitement all over each island.

STRYKER

GIVE AMERICA'S TROOPS TRAINING TO PROTECT US

Re: Commentary by Sen. Dan Inouye, "Don't fence them in" (Dec. 17).

What is wrong with the minority who continue to block the U.S. Army's need to train our troops?

We are at war and need to give our Army the best equipment and training the United States can offer. Each one of these Stryker units costs the U.S. government more than $1 million to build and is equipped with the most modern technological, combat-efficient equipment available to any army in the world.

The environmentalists say these vehicles will destroy our land. They should appreciate the fact that we have land we can freely use to train our Army to protect our country. If our troops are not combat-prepared, some day we could be ruled by the enemy.

FOOTBALL

COLT BRENNAN IS REASON UH FANS AT STADIUM

The No. 1 reason Colt Brennan should return for his senior year: The fans want to continue to watch him play. He's the reason we're at Aloha Stadium. Certainly not for the swap meet.