WORK TOGETHER TO SURVIVE HARD TIMES

Well, let me see, do I want to have my hours reduced or do I want to get fired and be out in the streets?

If you think the economy is bad now, wait till the "massive" layoffs, then we'll really find ourselves up that creek! What I don't understand is why are only state workers asked to bite the bullet? They are already underpaid and overworked.

We all live in this state called Hawai'i and everybody should do their part in helping out; I think the word for it is kokua. If it means raising taxes, then so be it. If it means turning off some street lights, then let's do it.

This is getting too political, and we are all going to pay if everybody doesn't do their part to help get over these tough times. So, let's all do our part and work together, and I do mean all, to achieve our common goal of a better Hawai'i.

Gregory Mishima | Honolulu

INCREASE IN GET BETTER THAN LAYOFFS

I'm not and have never been a state of Hawai'i employee, but I believe that it is not right for them to bear the total burden of the state's budget deficit.

The budget deficit's burden should be carried by all of the people of Hawai'i. Since the state's general-excise tax is paid directly or indirectly by every individual and business in the state, I believe that a temporary increase in the GET is the fastest, most effective and fairest way to take care of the upcoming budget needs.

Furloughs and/or layoffs of state employees not only hurt the employees but hurt the state's economy, and their implementation will inconvenience all of the state's population.

Walter Takeuchi | 'Aiea

STIMULUS IDEALS DON'T HELP WORKERS

Being in the employ of the state of Hawai'i, I was a bit dismayed by our governor's recent decision to furlough me and my peers. It makes me wonder how real the economic stimulus idealism of our president really is.

In one month, I will not only face a 14 to 18 percent cut in pay, but I am also going to have pay an additional $150-$180 a month more for my health insurance coverage. I hope most of our fellow citizens know that as state workers, we still pay a good portion of our medical coverage. The state does not pay 100 percent medical for any of its employees, and if you have families you pay even a lot more.

I can only imagine how nice it must be for the president of the United States and the governor of Hawai'i to know they can still go out and wine and dine and have a good time, while the rest of us are struggling to keep our homes, and to keep our families safe from harm's way.

God bless the citizens of America and Hawai'i because we really need Jesus' grace and mercy right now.

David Fukuzawa | Pearl City

SMALL EXCISE TAX HIKE WOULD DO THE JOB

Gov. Linda Lingle is using a double standard in her opposition to raising the general-excise tax to cover the budget deficit. Financial analysts predict that a one-half percentage point increase on non food items would avoid furloughs to state employees — including teachers — and would maintain state services.

Recently, she allowed the county to add on a one-half percentage point surcharge to the GET to fund the rail transit system.

In that case, she was primarily concerned with having the county — not the state — collect the 0.5 percent tax. Is funding the rail more important than state workers and educators? Is the governor more concerned about maintaining her fiscally conservative image at the expense of state workers?

David Christopher | Hawai'i Kai

HEALTH CARE

BEWARE THE COSTS OF THE 'PUBLIC OPTION'

Rick Lloyd (Letters, June 19) says he is all for the "public option" for national health care. As a federal employee he has had the public option for 50 years and he believes everyone should be able to have the same plan.

Such a plan now costs the federal employee up to $700 a month. To cover the people who can't or don't want to work or pay for the public option, just double the premiums for those who can and will pay?

My advice is watch out what you put before this administration and Congress. They might just take you up on what you offer.

Russel Noguchi | Pearl City

SENATE BILL 1350

PLANS FOR KAKA'AKO A COMPROMISE

The ultimate goal of legislation is to serve the greater good.

Senate Bill 1350 does not address circumstances unique to each constituent group. It is a compromise. Although we were not completely satisfied with the outcome, we appreciate every constituent's position was considered.

In 1976, extensive participation by the private and public sectors resulted in the Kaka'ako Redevelopment Plan, completed in 1982. Its purpose was to transform the blighted community into a high-density neighborhood of 19,000 apartments, of which 75 percent were to be affordable.

Anticipating growth in the urban core, the state government invested more than $500 million for the necessary sewer, water, power, road, drainage systems, removal of toxic waste and public parks.

The infrastructure was installed for the express purpose of constructing a high-density neighborhood with buildings up to 400 feet.

SB 1350 does not require affordable units if construction does not exceed 45 feet in height or more than 1.5 times the land area in density. Properties less than 20,000 square feet are exempted in the 1982 Kaka'ako rules and SB 1350.

SB 1350 does not replace the Kaka'ako rules. The purpose is to preserve the original intent of the 1982 legislation for a mixed-income neighborhood.

Momi Cazimero | Owner, Graphic House Kenneth Matsuura | Retired president of GE Capital Hawaii Inc.