Thanks for treating pets like family
I would like to thank American Savings Bank for recognizing our pets in our cars. Monthly I go to pay my mortgage through the drive-thru window at American Savings. I usually have my little female dog Umi with me. She has grown very fond of her trip to the bank because they give her a doggie treat at the window. She gets so excited and starts digging to try and hide it.
It really has become a fun part of paying our mortgage. I am encouraged to donate dog biscuits to the bank so they can continue to provide this small gesture for our pets (family members) because it makes the owners really happy.
Hawaii is not the most pet-friendly state but the bank is a great start to recognize our furry friends. Umi is excited the minute I pull up to the window, she knows what’s coming!
Linda Tohara
Kailua-Kona
No need for discretionary funds
I support Mayor Harry Kim’s intention to end discretionary funds for members of the County Council. As a social worker for the state of Hawaii, I never received nor expected discretionary funds. Any extra expenses I might have had were recognized and honored by the state of Hawaii as a legitimate part of my job, such as transportation reimbursement to visit my clients or for transportation costs to Honolulu for necessary training.
Discretionary funding is a ridiculous concept and certainly subject to the whims of the receiver. Our county budget is not infinite and must be tightened up wherever possible, especially in view of the reckless spending of the previous administration. I applaud your wisdom, Mayor Kim. Many, many thanks.
Janet Ashkenazy
Honokaa
Don’t cut people out of process
This letter is in response to Nancy Cook Lauer’s story on public participation of the planning process here on the west side.
The article stated that some parts of public participation will be eliminated and some parts expanded. My question is if it ain’t broke, why fix it? The process of public hearing notices that stand to be eliminated only enhances the concept that government is “used” by only people who stand to gain from it, behind closed doors.
An example of this is a recent public hearing for a Bolton project in the area by the Pualani subdivision which caught my attention because of the noise and dust as a result of Bolton’s rock crushing activity.
Because of the notice being required to be advertised in the local newspaper, I was able to attend the hearing along with many other people in the surrounding communities as the hearing was packed. The Bolton representatives did not show up, leaving many with unanswered questions. Since then, it seems the whole matter of permits and proper land usage has gone underground.
In this era of divisive politics in governance, it surely seems this potential change in policy only helps those in power and this possible change is just another example of this self-serving philosophy.
In other words, why do I get the feeling that certain people in power here in west Hawaii don’t give a darn about their constituency and do whatever they want and fatten their own pocketbooks in the secrecy behind closed doors?
Bryant Ching
Kailua-Kona