TAP UNCLAIMED PROPERTY FUNDS

As an alternative to the Legislature's ongoing commitment to raising taxes, here's a possible source of additional funds. The state of Hawai'i's unclaimed property program currently has a balance of approximately $120 million and, while the state is able to invest the funds in interest-bearing certificates and have access to the earnings, there is no vehicle in place (unless there is some compelling or legal reason it can't be done) to tap the fund balance that continues to grow in perpetuity.

Wouldn't it be realistic to put a time limit on the claimant's right to retrieve their money — 10 years seems to be plenty of time. This means the fund could always have a floating 10-year balance, plus it could generate annual sliding payments to the general fund, be earmarked for the Department of Education, or even used to help cover budgetary shortfalls.

Simple. No new taxes needed and the state becomes the beneficiary of a lot of money that right now can only draw interest. What a novel concept.

Neil Field | Kane'ohe

GUN DEATHS

KEY FACTS INCLUDE COUNTRY COMPARISON

In response to Mr. Robert Lottie (Letters, May 13), I think he really wants to return to the days of the Wild West when people killed each other in the streets every day. With automatic weapons children can now gun each other down in the hallways dozens at a time.

Can you imagine if everyone carried a gun and someone started shooting in a football stadium? People would not know who the gunman was and just shoot the first person they saw with a gun. The death toll could reach hundreds.

If anyone is guilty of poor reporting that omits key facts to sway public opinion, I think it is Mr. Lottie.

Terrence Ching | Honolulu

MAUI HUMANE SOCIETY

NEGATIVE COVERAGE A DISSERVICE TO AGENCY

The Maui Humane Society takes exception to recent negative coverage by The Honolulu Advertiser, which seems intent on fanning the flames of a "controversy" of its own making.

The March 31 story ("Controversy strikes Maui animal shelter") was built entirely on opinions from ex-employees and ex-board members. Certainly, if you interview individuals who were "let go" from any business, you can build a controversy from their comments, accurate or not.

The May 2 announcement of our new officers described our annual meeting as a "raucous crowd of nearly 200" criticizing the agency. In reality, out of the estimated 130 people (staff, supporters and critics) at the meeting, 33 presented public testimony; 17 of those were critical.

Last fall, the board hired an O'ahu consulting firm to review our overall organizational structure and management. They found no evidence of mismanagement, but recommended some improvements in board governance, management procedures and employee morale. We are implementing these changes, and everyone at MHS is feeling re-energized.

MHS is a sound organization, managed in a responsible, conscientious manner. By continuing to present MHS in a negative light, the Advertiser does a grave disservice to our agency and to the animals and community we serve.

Candy Aluli | Chair, Board of Directors, Maui Humane Society

PUBLIC WORKERS

LEGISLATURE'S ACTIONS DEFENDED OUR KEIKI

I was disgusted by the class-war rant from the M.D. living in Hawai'i Kai concerning our legislators defending public workers from pay cuts (Letters, May 13). I wonder if doctors, who earn many times what we make, should throw stones when they live in glass houses.

In America, we pay many times more for healthcare than any other country. My healthcare premiums continue to increase. I am a teacher. I am highly educated, but I make far less money than other types of professionals with advanced postgraduate degrees. Many doctors can afford to send their kids to private school, so maybe that explains why some think it's OK to gut public education.

My union leaders continually defend our profession for very little or no compensation. Teachers are constantly under scrutiny or attack by politicians, media and individuals hungry for outrage and scapegoats.

The decline in tourism has not reduced our intense workload, and we have already suffered massive budget cuts. Compare our wages to other states, including the cost of living, and it's evident that Hawai'i's teachers are paid extremely little.

The Legislature's actions defended our keiki.

Nikan Arapoff | Wailuku, Maui

CINCO DE MAYO

HAWAI'I CAN BECOME PRIME DESTINATION

Imagine: The edge of Chinatown on Nu'uanu Street, 9 at night on Cinco de Mayo; two blocks sealed off; 5,000 people in the street, many local Hispanics — excited, thrilled, partying, happy and glowing; a center main stage with Hawai'i's great salsa band Son Caribe playing salsa music and people ecstatically dancing and enthralled. Music everywhere, clubs and bars filled up.

What a great, great, great night. Beautiful, fun, dancing people everywhere across the horizon of this amazing happening.

Hawai'i can become a prime Cinco de Mayo destination. Hawai'i has a phenomenal Hispanic party. It would be incredible to get this annual event on YouTube or national television. When Hispanics across America see this amazingly wonderful event happening, thousands of them will come to Hawai'i fast. This would really help Hawai'i's economy by bringing in a huge new sector of never-before-tapped tourists — Hispanics.

Close to 1 billion people speak Spanish. Most folks don't know there are Hispanics in Hawai'i — and here at Cinco de Mayo in downtown Honolulu the Hispanics are everywhere by the thousands — and they are having fun.

C.T. Ryder | Kula, Hawai'i

HAWAIIAN CROW

PRESERVATION FUNDS CAN'T BE COMPARED

In his April 22 article criticizing spending to restore 'alala habitat, David Shapiro overlooks several points.

Comparing spending for homeless shelters and for wildlife preservation is apples and oranges. One might compare spending for the homeless to spending on park maintenance, judicial salaries, and many other government operations. One program has nothing to do with another. Were 'alala funding stripped from the federal budget, it would not go to Honolulu's homeless.

'Alala are on the verge of extinction, which truly is forever. If we allow other considerations to keep us from saving 'alala now, we never will. It will be gone. Any species loss is tragic, but losing 'alala, figuring in so many Hawaiian myths and beliefs, would be worse than most.

While the money is called 'alala preservation money, it is much more. A whole ecosystem must be restored, benefiting dozens of other species also at risk. 'Akiapola'au, 'i'iwi, and dozens of plants and insects will benefit from restoring 'alala habitat.

The current economic crisis will be gone in a few years. But if we do not save it now, the 'alala will be gone forever and each of us will be poorer.

Dan Lindsay | Hilo