Affordable housing is mere catch-phrase http://www.staradvertiser.com/2017/05/28/editorial/lett...

May 28, 2017 | 79 | ! Check Trac

Editorial| Letters

Aordable housing is mere

catch-phrase
Posted May 28, 2017
May 28, 2017

CHRISTINA CHUN / CCHUN@STARADVERTISER.COM

Kauhale Kakaako Apartments at 860 Halekauwila St. is seen behind 404 Ward Avenue.

I continue to read with bewilderment that our politicians continue to throw around the
term, aordable housing. What exactly is that? Is it a subsidized $100 a month studio
for a homeless family? Is it a $150,000 house for folks trying to get into a home? Not
likely.

The developers arent going to give up that half-million dollars or more each, for
construction of single-family homes. There isnt now and never will be aordable

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housing on Oahu. The only real aordable housing is the free sidewalk that the
homeless rent until they are forced to another location.

Its a sad future for them, and a sad future for those who want but could never aord a
home here. How many brilliant and talented minds does Hawaii lose each year to
actual aordable housing on the mainland?

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Many of us have caught on to this catch-phrase that sounds real good, but goes
nowhere.

Jay Vinton

Foster Village

Preserve resources today for future

Climate change, population growth and natural resource depletion are converging and
will create tremendous challenges for future generations.

The next three years provide the last chance to limit global warming to safe limits in
this century, according to United Nations scientists. Unless nations move before 2020
to cut their emissions more aggressively, the window of opportunity will close.

The UN also predicts the worlds population will hit 9 billion by 2050, requiring 70
percent more food production to feed everyone. That prediction will come sooner now
that Chinas 1-child policy has ended; 17.86 million children were born in China in
2016, an increase of 1.31 million from 2015. And thats just China.

We are currently consuming 1.6 Earths or 60 percent more resources than the Earth
can naturally replenish. More people, more consumption. Shouldnt the debate be how
to provide future generations more opportunities for a life as we know it today?

Dan Nakasone

Wahiawa

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Fine those misusing service-animal label

Has anyone else noticed an increase in unruly, non-service animals inside theaters,
restrooms, grocery stores, restaurants, buses and even airlines lately? There seems to
be an increase in pets masquerading as service animals here.

Pet owners have found a loophole in the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. They
use a fake identication for an emotional support animal (ESA), bogus certications
that are easily purchased online. Genuine ESA are restricted to fair housing laws and
are not trained as service animals. The distinction is that service dogs are trained to do
work, or perform a specic task for a disabled person.

Trained service animals are well-behaved and welcome everywhere. Pet owners who
take advantage of the service animal status should be ned the same as non-disabled
people who park in handicap stalls. Lets create legislation to impose a $250 ne each
time a non-service animal is falsely identied to gain entry into a restricted area.

Karyn Herrmann

Hawaii Kai

Struggling caregivers need much support

Kathy Jaycoxs commentary speaks to an issue that confronts many families today and
will be of increasing concern in the future (Its time, nally, to enact kupuna caregivers
law, Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, May 21). We applaud the eorts of the Legislature
and eagerly await the signature of Gov. David Ige on House Bill 607.

We experienced that struggle of caring for aging parents. Our hearts go out to all those
in our community who now face that same problem, who are desperately working to
provide the love and care needed for their parents. This bill brings hope to those
families. The anguished voices of caregivers will now be heard and addressed.

Deanna Espinas

Palolo Avenue

Reinstate caregivers respite program

I applaud the Legislature for the kupuna caregivers bill to subsidize families $70 per
day but more importantly, the state should reinstate a program called The
Caregivers Respite Program, which was defunded several years ago.

This program was a clearinghouse of sorts matching paid caregivers with families with

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limited resources. Most for-prot agencies charge families $30 or more hourly for
work performed by hired caregivers, who get paid $10-$12 hourly. With the respite
program, the family negotiates with the hired caregiver a pay that is equitable for
both.

The $70-per-day subsidy from the state would pay only for a couple of hours if families
hired from an agency. With the respite program, it would buy at least three to four
hours. Day-care programs are the most aordable but not everyone is willing to go to
daycare; most seniors would rather stay at home and only need a few hours of
assistance.

Julie Chiya

Makiki

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