B&B BILL

CITY NEEDS TO CONSIDER POSSIBLE LIABILITY ISSUES

As a longtime Kailua resident, I've been following the B&B debate closely.

The Advertiser's Oct. 23 editorial, which argued that a more "sensible" approach is needed in regulation of such dwellings, did not mention the liability such operators create for themselves and potentially for the city.

Homeowners' policies rarely cover any paying guests should injuries occur during their stay. The next recourse for an injured party would be to sue the city. Why? By extension, if the city issues a permit to these small-business operators in residential neighborhoods without requiring proof of adequate insurance coverage for paying guests, it opens itself up to possible lawsuits.

Going forward with the permitting process without a clear plan of regulation/enforcement is a bad idea. Ignoring the liability factor for uninsured operators and its consequences for the taxpayers is patently irresponsible.

AFFORDABLE RENTALS A CRITICAL ISSUE FOR CITY

The illegal living quarters housing 50 people that collapsed in Kalihi offered a view of the sordid living conditions forced upon fellow citizens by the lack of long-term affordable rentals. It also offered a view of the city's poor record of enforcing regulations.

The 50 individuals in Kalihi are not alone in their predicament. Many others are piled up in houses that are bursting at the seams. There are no long-term rentals that they can afford. They are a thread away from homelessness. They are desperate and defenseless.

Are we not turning a blind eye and a cold heart to their plight when we support the demands of special interests to allow thousands of homes in our residential neighborhoods to legally convert to short-term visitor accommodations?

The city admits that the passage of Bill 6 now before the City Council, which would legalize such conversions, would not only alter our neighborhoods but also reduce the stock of long-term rentals. This would fuel increases in rents and force even more people into living conditions devoid of human dignity.

It is appalling that there seems to be little will on the part of the City Council and the city administration to stop the degradation. If Bill 6 passes, we must ask: Have we lost our moral compass?

FISHING

YOUNG FISH TAKEN WITH GILL NET AT WAIMEA BAY

A 7 a.m. on Sunday, my brother and several men parked their cars along the highway, above the Waimea Bay jump rock.

They stood in disbelief as four men surrounded a large school of halalu with a three-piece gill net. The net was loaded with fish and they re-laid it around the rest of the school that swam upstream toward Waimea Valley park.

All witnesses started yelling at these men as they quickly took their nets to their parked cars at Waimea Bay Beach Park.

What are the laws regarding this?

To the other people who witnessed this absurdity, please submit your version. According to other sources, this was also done on Saturday, the day before. Auwe!

SOCIETY

FEW HELP WHEN DOGS RUNNING LOOSE ON ROADS

Dr. AnnaMaria Preston's letter (Nov. 2) about stopping to help the injured dog is an important message to all dog owners: If that were your dog, wouldn't you want someone to stop and help?

I can't count the number of times I have stopped my car to run after a loose dog — when I'm in a dress, in the middle of traffic, on my way to a meeting and even on the way to my grandmother's 95th birthday lu'au.

While I'm chasing these dogs, no one ever offers to help. They just watch the dog run by while I'm yelling "Stop that dog!"

A few years ago, on New Year's Eve during rush hour on Fort Weaver Road, a small Benji dog was limping down the middle of the road and the cars just drove around him. I was able to catch him and took him to my vet because it was clear that he had been hit.

Unfortunately, the dog died of internal bleeding while in her care — a bill that she never made me pay for. The dog didn't have a microchip and I never knew if the family learned about the dog's fate.

I know that if my dogs got loose, I would be frantic trying to find them. Since my dogs have microchip IDs, my chances of getting them back are greater. These animals are a part of our 'ohana. Help them find their way safely home.

GOVERNMENT REVENUE

STATE LOTTERY SHOULD BE DISCUSSED AGAIN

I think it's time to bring back the state lottery debate.

The Department of Education could sure use the money.

Even us deadbeats could get another chance of living the high life again. What do you think? I'm all for it.

CONVICTED FELON

U.S. SENATE SHOULD EXPEL SEN. TED STEVENS

I don't mind that Sen. Daniel Inouye sticks by his friend, convicted felon Sen. Ted Stevens. That's what friends do. But since when do convicted felons get to keep their jobs and perks, and continue to represent us as Americans? When they're senators, that's when.

Would your employer keep you if you had been found guilty of seven felonies for making false statements? I doubt it.

The Senate can no longer in good conscience police itself. The good old boy and girl network is corrupted by the misguided notions of those like Sen. Inouye, who just give the "aw shucks" line and act like somehow their lofty status prevents them from actually having to be responsible to the findings of a jury in these United States of America.

I've asked our Hawai'i senators to demonstrate true leadership, and call for the immediate expulsion of one of their own, convicted felon Sen. Stevens. No feedback. So I leave you with this — it's been said you can judge a man by the company he keeps.