Homelessness solutions likely to be unpopular

Pay airfare for habitual drug criminals who have families willing to take them back on the Mainland. Extradite arrested persons who have outstanding warrants in other states before prosecuting them here. Note that they will be arrested and charged if they return to Hawaii.

Legalize pot so individuals are not encouraged to become drug dealers.

Raise the minimum wage across the country and link it to regional cost-ofliving indexes (so Republicans would support it).

Provide free contraception without the need of prescriptions to all women of childbearing age. Stop incentivizing families that can’t afford children to have more.

Make public temporary services more available so temporary workers don’t lose a large portion of their wages to private employment services.

Tax short-term vacations rentals to the point where they are only marginally profitable. Inspect all short-term vacation rentals periodically and strictly enforce zoning laws for non-conforming shortterm vacation residential remodels. Support unions that act responsibly. Pass zoning laws to end sleeping in or obstructing public spaces, but expect legal challenges.

Provide inexpensive, drug-free barrackstyle housing for the homeless in out-ofthe-way places with free bus service to and from for these residents. Require mandatory job hunting and/or training for these residents. Provide and encourage healthy recreational opportunities for these residents.

Stop making Hawaii a mecca for out-ofstate retirees by raising their property taxes, at least for the first several years of residency.

Ronald Schoenherr

Wailuku