• ‘Irish’ up over timeshare letter • Arrogant attitude • My Honolulu perspective • Presidential uncertainty • Punish decision makers ‘Irish’ up over timeshare letter Thank you for publishing the letters responding to the Tolbert’s letter about the timeshare taxes.
• ‘Irish’ up over timeshare letter
• Arrogant attitude
• My Honolulu perspective
• Presidential uncertainty
• Punish decision makers
‘Irish’ up over timeshare letter
Thank you for publishing the letters responding to the Tolbert’s letter about the timeshare taxes. I wanted to write yesterday, but my “Irish” was really up and I had to wait until I simmered down a little and got my own aloha back.
There has long been an imbalance in the taxes paid on timeshares, and they are due for an increase. People who live here, work two or three jobs, and don’t have the option of purchasing a luxury timeshare somewhere else or being able to afford the activity options available to visitors, deserve a tax break.
And they deserve to be tipped for the great service they deliver, since the expectation of getting tips is built into the wage structure of restaurant, hotel and activities jobs.
I will never say “Don’t come here if you feel like that.” I simply ask that they try to understand that Kaua‘i is not simply a playground for them. If paying a proper proportion of taxes on their holiday homes makes it impossible for them to eat out in restaurants, I recommend purchasing food at the many farmer’s markets and enjoying it at home. Then they would have more of a truly local Kaua‘i experience.
If that’s what they want.
Peggy Kemp
Kapa‘a
Arrogant attitude
I was very annoyed to read the Tolberts’ letter to the editor. I don’t think that the County Council is being discriminative at all to timeshare owners. In fact, I think that they are putting the residents of Kaua‘i first when it comes to considering a bill that reduces property taxes for Kaua‘i residents.
The Tolberts’ need to look at things as if they were in our shoes. We live here 365 days a year. You do not. We work hard to pay our bills, put food on the table and have a roof over our heads. Many locals here cannot afford to purchase a home because of the housing market and many have to work two or three jobs just to make ends meet. Dramatically reducing our taxes may help keep the residents of Kaua‘i living here. Plain and simple.
Many timeshare owners purchase their timeshares for sheer luxury. Most own homes somewhere else and probably own timeshares elsewhere as well. Do any of you support local tourism in your communities? What if the roles were reversed? Would you still feel singled out? Try to see things from a local’s perspective.
Our County Council is doing what they’re supposed to do — represent the people who live on Kaua‘i. Besides, if you do not like the taxes for your timeshare here, you can always trade it for somewhere else, right? Most of us here can’t afford to live anywhere else.
Anuhea Lumacad
Koloa
My Honolulu perspective
John’s letter (“Wanting Superferry responsibility,” Letters, July 25) saying “Take a vote on who wants a responsible, honest ferry, or an irresponsible, deceptive one, and we can all be in the same understanding, and bring the sunshine in.”
Sounds like a great idea. That doesn’t rate a vote. No one wants anything irresponsible or deceptive.
Now the comments I hear from my relatives and friends on Kaua‘i … there are only two camps regarding the Superferry, totally no and totally yes.
No middle ground, regardless of whether all the rules, laws, requirements, or conditions are met.
OK, John, when all the “T’s” are crossed and all the “I’s” are dotted to your satisfaction. I still wonder if the people of Kaua‘i would like to take a vote on having a responsible, honest Superferry? “Yes” we want it, or “No” we don’t.
Notice I said people of Kaua‘i. Didn’t mention anything about anyone else. Didn’t say if I was against it, or for it. I just wondered how Kaua‘i people felt about it.
So, that’s my “typically from a Honolulu perspective.” Curiosity.
Stan Wright
Kaneohe, O‘ahu
Presidential uncertainty
John McCain is an anachronism. Once he was gunpowder. Now he’s just talcum. Any candidate for president of the United States who has no concept of the Internet and its far reaching effect on American life, cannot possibly lead us into the future. McCain’s candidacy is based on events of the past. Senator Obama’s is based on a view of the future.
How Obama will perform if he is elected president is yet to be seen. Voting for president of our country is the greatest gamble the American voter can take. There are no guarantees. The four years following the election will show whether we elected a hero or a bum.
Unlike the UK’s parliamentary system, which allows for a vote of confidence if there are serious questions about the performance of the Prime Minister, we are stuck with our choice, except for the option of impeachment, which has not been used very wisely in the past. Compare the impeachment of Bill Clinton for a personal indiscretion to the failure of Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi to impeach President Bush and Vice President Cheney for lying us into the Iraq war. Take your pick between an unwise sexual encounter versus a disastrous seven year war, costing billions of dollars and millions of casualties, both civilian and military.
Harry Boranian
Lihu‘e
Punish decision makers
In response to the Tolberts’ letter of July 24, you are very fortunate to be able to afford a timeshare on Kaua‘i, especially in these difficult economic times. I love Kaua‘i, too, and visit when I can afford it. Sometimes I sleep on a sofa in my sister’s 400-square-foot cottage. It’s worth it to visit her and enjoy the splendors of Kaua‘i.
Although I can understand your consternation at the prospect of a tax increase, how does it express aloha to punish people who serve you in good faith when you dine out? Are you aware that ordinary people on Kaua‘i often have two or even three jobs just to survive? Please direct your complaints to the decision-makers. And be grateful that you are so blessed.
Lola Kemp
Seattle, Wash.
