FUNDING

CONGRESS SHOULD BE INVESTING IN OUR PEOPLE

With all the scandals swirling around Congress, one serious failing has not received enough attention. Congress left for its pre-election recess without fulfilling its most basic responsibility: enacting spending bills that invest our tax dollars wisely. Instead, they passed a short-term measure that shrinks most domestic programs and tosses decisions about the rest of the year to a "lame-duck" session.

The failure to protect funding for education, healthcare, job training, housing assistance, nutrition aid, Head Start and many other services hurts us all.

Government should be investing in our children, making sure they grow up healthy, safe and ready to learn. Low-income people need relief from high energy and housing costs. Workers and students need training for decent jobs. Instead, Congress cuts billions from domestic programs while at the same time continuing tax cuts that help the wealthiest few.

When Congress comes back, members will confront proposals to cut still more. Every member of Congress and every candidate should commit to support enough funding to reverse recent cutbacks and reject proposals that will make things even worse.

ELECTION 2006

'YES' VOTE URGED ON CHARTER AMENDMENT 8

Hawai'i has the perfect climate for more walking and bicycling. More people would walk and bike to exercise, save money and help the environment if Honolulu became a pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly city.

It can be done if government and the community work together. Help us get there by joining a growing list of YES ON 8 COALITION members: AARP, American Heart Association, Hawai'i Bicycling League, Kokua Kalihi Valley, HMSA and many more listed at hbl.org. Vote YES on Charter amendment 8.

ASSISTANCE

LINGLE HAS PROPOSED RENT SUBSIDY CHANGES

We agree with the Advertiser editorial (Oct. 18) that the state rent subsidy program needs to be fixed. That is why Gov. Linda Lingle proposed legislation in 2005 and 2006 to allow more needy families to use state rent supplements.

The program, first enacted in 1967, provides a small subsidy to families who pay more than 30 percent of their income as rent. However, the Legislature designed the program in such a way that too few needy families qualified for the subsidy. Gov. Lingle recognized this and proposed three changes.

First, the program was restricted to families who lived in privately owned apartments. This meant families living in public housing who were having trouble paying their monthly rent could not apply for a rent subsidy. Gov. Lingle asked that the program be expanded to public as well as private rental units. This change was made by the Legislature in late April and included in Act 100 signed by the governor on May 16.

Second, the program was restricted to families making 50 percent or less of the median income. This meant, a single person making slightly over $24,500 per year could not seek rent supplement help. Gov. Lingle proposed to broaden the program so more people could use the rental funds. This change did not pass.

Finally, Gov. Lingle proposed that the cap of $160 be lifted. This figure is in the statute and can be changed only by the Legislature. The rent supplement has been frozen at $160 since 1988. Gov. Lingle asked for a change in the amount in 2005 and 2006, but the Legislature failed to enact the increase.

We hope your editorial will be a wake-up call that the program needs fundamental changes to help more residents with rent. We look forward to working with the Legislature, the community and the media to make this a reality in 2007.

HIGH RENTS

PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE LANDLORDS' PROBLEMS

Everyone complains about high rents. Nobody sees the side of the landlord, who must pay higher property taxes, higher insurance rates, increased general excise taxes, and increases in repairs and expense because of tenant abuse.

Some tenants leave TVs, fans and air conditioners on even when they are not home, and some let the water run.

Landlords also can have problems trying to recover unpaid rent and dealing with vandalism.

Also, the archaic laws governing the rental community need to change, such as the limits on the number of people living together.

Everyone should realize nothing is free. That's why landlords sometimes, in disgust, resort to selling their property.

When you have bad tenants, everyone suffers.

The city and state are responsible for providing low-cost housing for people who can't afford to buy. They say they have no money for that housing. I say they have no money because no politician has the guts to push for the lottery.

Instead, they'd rather tax the landlord, who is trying to make a decent living and trying to make ends meet.

ANTI-WAR RALLY

MANY HAVE PROTECTED U.S. AND ITS FREEDOMS

I would like to answer Chuck Cohen's question, "where were you?" (Letters, Oct. 9).

I spent more than 24 years in the service of the greatest country in the world all over the world, standing duty on land and afloat, on holidays and sacrificing personal time with family for Mr. Cohen and his cronies to have the liberty and luxury to gather at Thomas Square.

I am glowingly proud of my 24 years and would not have done it any other way. Mr. Cohen, I leave you with a quote from a movie that sums up the majority of veterans' attitudes very nicely: "I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it. I prefer you said 'thank you,' and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post."

You're welcome, sir.

ARMED SERVICES

MILITARY SHOULD GET IN FREE AT UH'S GAMES

The two-for-one admittance for armed services personnel at University of Hawai'i games is a no-brainer!

C'mon, UH, they should be let in free! Hey, they are risking their lives every day to protect our freedom. What more could we ask?

Further, it won't be a total loss, since they certainly will bring family members and friends to the game, as well as spend money on food and drinks.

Surely, this will be a great way for UH to show its support for our armed forces.

Go Bows!

EARTHQUAKE

DISASTER DECLARATION DOESN'T HELP SCHOOLS

After the earthquake hit, I thought that Gov. Linda Lingle didn't do that bad in her response.

Some things could have been better, but all in all, it wasn't that bad. However, on Oct. 17, your Web site had a headline saying that "Lingle lauds major disaster declaration." Unfortunately, this declaration provides no federal aid for homes, businesses, schools and roads.

How can the "education governor" laud the declaration when it doesn't provide aid to our schools?

In her debate, Gov. Lingle stated that she always puts the people of Hawai'i over her party, but I guess it doesn't apply when it comes to the person who she once called one of our "greatest presidents of all time," George W. Bush.

KSSK'S PERRY & PRICE KEPT PUBLIC INFORMED

Perry and Price. They did it again! Their dedication and expertise in keeping the public informed regarding the recent earthquake and power outage is greatly appreciated and second to none. They can always count on my vote!

TRAFFIC

LANE CLOSURE WARNINGS NEEDED A MILE EARLY

I have a suggestion for the people who repair our roads. Why not put up a warning sign a mile or so in advance to notify motorists that a lane will be closed. That would give motorists plenty of time to merge into the lanes that are open.

As it is now, the closure happens all of a sudden, with no advance warning. The result is a bottleneck.

DHHL

RETAIL COMPLEX WILL FUND HOUSING FOR HAWAIIANS

Please let me clarify an Oct. 4 letter to the editor ("DHHL housing should be put ahead of mall") that misinterprets the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands' plans for a retail complex in Kapolei as being developed at the expense of building homes for Native Hawaiians. The opposite is true. It is being developed so we can build homes, and it will provide benefits beyond that.

DHHL has evolved into a large master-planned developer with major residential projects on the Big Island, Maui, O'ahu, and Kaua'i. We also have residential developments on Moloka'i and Lana'i. From 2003 to 2008, we expect to offer 6,000 leases, more than was issued over the previous 81 years.

For DHHL to build homes for Native Hawaiians, we must have revenue to pay for the development of infrastructure. On-site and off-site work, roads, water, sewer and electrical lines are costly. A steady revenue stream is crucial to pay for these costs.

Infrastructure for projects in the next five years will cost more than $150 million.

While we build homes and communities for Native Hawaiians, we also believe the ahupua'a must include opportunities to not only live, but to work, play and learn.

This commercial site will provide employment opportunities at all levels, and will play an important role in developing Kapolei.

This project will help pay for the infrastructure for Native Hawaiian homes, and it will reduce traffic by providing opportunities for many in the region to work closer to home. As the "second city" emerges, we look forward to strong, healthy communities and a Native Hawaiian presence that will be good for everyone.