Richard Manetta complained about the unnecessary costs and complications of the city running golf courses (“City should get out of running golf courses,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 25).

Cities need “green spaces” for the health of residents. Green spaces absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. Green spaces include parks, schoolyards, forests and golf courses. Green spaces actually reduce the stress on infrastructure and utilities.

A golfer on a city course pays about $8 an hour to play a round of golf. Should we charge park users $8 an hour per person for picnicking, jogging or walking?

We should all be glad some of our citizens are willing to pay a fee above their taxes to keep up some of the needed green spaces.

Russel Noguchi

Pearl City

—

If you dislike Trump, then run for office

Virtually every day on television and in the newspapers President Donald Trump is attacked. If you are disappointed with your elected officials, why don’t these critics take President Barack Obama’s advice: “Grab a clipboard, get some signatures and run for office yourself.”

The detractors from Hollywood, academia and the media don’t have the moxie to do that. Trump did and he won.

John Berry

Makiki

—

Development has improved Kailua

To those yearning for “Old Kailua,” I’d like to point out that in the not-so-distant past, Kailua played host to a considerable share of derelict buildings, empty storefronts and general filth (“Petitions hope to save Pali Lanes,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 2).

No one was walking after dark and no one was eating at restaurants we didn’t have.

Anyone who thinks that only national chains like Target and Whole Foods have moved in is not paying attention. Most of the businesses along Hekili and Hamakua streets and Kailua Road are locally owned and operated. Many restaurants also are local. There is new life to previously dangerous streets like Kihapai and Uluniu, and these places all thrive because of tourists and residents alike. Shop local and it will stay local.

I actually bowl at Pali Lanes and I don’t want it to go either, but if it isn’t kept up and it’s served its useful life, it’s time for something new. Think larger.

Mark Ayers

Kailua

—

Restripe freeway lanes near Red Hill

Traffic would flow better on the leeward-bound downhill side of the Red Hill/H201 freeway if it were restriped to blend the far right and left lanes near the bottom and create four continuous lanes rather than have the right lane merge while the new left lane opens up.

The current arrangement is a mess and snarls traffic. It would smooth things out and make traffic run better on the freeway from end to end if the road was restriped to be four continuous lanes. A little time and paint would save the island’s commuting residents a ton of time, fuel and stress.

Mike Hanson

Mililani

—

Using illegal aerials is criminal activity

Anyone who launches illegal aerial fireworks violate laws. They are criminals, no different from drug dealers, burglars and thieves. They justify their actions as “cultural” or “traditional.” But before you pen a response letter to justify your actions, answer these questions, and if any are “yes,” you are a criminal.

>> Did you purchase your illegal fireworks from a “connection,” not a legally licensed fireworks provider (accessory to a crime)?

>> Did you know you were breaking the law when purchasing the fireworks, but ignored it (unlicensed practitioner, illegal possession)?

>> Did you know that you were handling a bomb that could kill and maim your family, friends and neighbors, and damage property if not launched safely, but didn’t care (murderer, assailant, arsonist)?

The most chilling factor is that illegal fireworks are set off in the presence of children and teens, legitimizing flagrant disregard for laws and police. As a parent, you are to blame if your children continue your legacy of law-breaking.

James Fukumoto

Aiea

—

Don’t build new jail; rehabilitate instead

There are much better ways to reduce the overcrowding in our Oahu jail than spending millions to build a bigger one.

New York and New Jersey have reduced incarceration by thousands, with a reduction in the crime rate that is actually greater than the national average. Our jail is filled with low-risk people who simply cannot afford bail.

Even a few days in custody causes extreme stress. People miss taking needed medications and may lose their job, housing, and even custody of their children.

It looks to me like the new jail idea came from developers who want the property that the Oahu Community Correctional Center sits on, which happens to be right next to the rail line.

Creating more programs, social services, mental health and drug abuse treatment, instead of putting people in cages, will help the poorest among us, streng- then our communities and increase public safety.

Let’s show the world that we are the aloha state.

Ka‘imi Nicholson

Palolo