Delay of election aids Na‘i Aupuni

As someone who has steadfastly opposed the Hawaiian Roll and Na‘i Aupuni’s attempts to capture the Hawaiian sovereignty movement, I also am completely opposed to the U.S. Supreme Court’s block of the vote that Na‘i Aupuni has undertaken over the last month (“U.S. high court halts balloting for delegates to Hawaiian body,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 3).

In fact, Justice Anthony Kennedy’s stay gave Na‘i Aupuni an excuse to extend the voting period an extra 21 days. All känaka who are working either to restore the lawful kingdom or who are pursuing a clear and authentic self-determination should not want to see the Na‘i Aupuni process dragged out and given new life.

Grassroot Institute has done neither the residents of Hawaii nor Hawaiian nationals any favors. But it has reminded us that thousands of our people objected to federal interference during the U.S. Department of Interior hearings last year. We still object.

That the conservative members of the Supreme Court should lecture anyone on race preference is just the latest American absurdity.

Jon Osorio, Noe Goodyear Kä‘opua, Andre Perez

Movement for Aloha no ka ‘Äina (MANA)

NRA a sponsor of terrorism?

The National Rifle Association (NRA) was established in 1871 to innocuously promote gun competency and safety.

By 1977, the NRA had shifted to political issues after the Gun Control Act was passed. It has since worked to reduce the authority of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and was instrumental in preventing the renewal of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban in 2004.

Today’s NRA appears ambivalent, if not complacent, about gun deaths in America. It is responsible for the democratization of military-style weapons with little restriction on magazine capacity.

Was this the intent of the authors of our Second Amendment (1789) when guns held only one bullet? Or, should the NRA be declared a sponsor of terrorism?

Jeff Bigler

Wailuku

Could we please see road map?

Hawaiian Electric Co. CEO Alan Oshima appears confident that a NextEra takeover of his company will benefit customers, while admitting that the estimated $30 billion it will take to get us to 100 percent renewables could be right, but that we won’t know for sure “until we know the road map clearly.”

The road map may be fuzzy, but Oshima confirms that it includes using liquefied natural gas to supply 70 to 80 percent of our power for decades. Is there a cost-benefit analysis comparing LNG substitution with other options, including ramping up investments in renewables?

Already HECO’s inability to develop a process in which such options can be evaluated has led to the loss of at least 1,000 jobs in the renewable-energy sector.

George Cattermole

Waikiki

Don’t let Hee get away with it

I just read the article about Albert Hee’s friends and family coming to his defense (“Politicians, kin and pals of tax cheat push judge for lenience,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 3).

This is a man who “skimmed” $4 million for personal expenses. His wife claims they don’t live lavishly and his daughter is stressed. Aren’t the wife and daughter the same ones who were being paid, part of the $1.6 million in salaries for not even working at the company? Where did they think the money was coming from to pay for those lavish trips, expensive jewelry, high-end restaurants and college tuitions?

Hee is described as a generous man to his family, friends and the community. I would be generous, too, if I had stolen $4 million. Anyone who has ever been a recepient of gifts, money or contributions from Hee should view it as tainted.

Hee should be punished and harshly, to send a message to anyone who thinks they can get away with it, regardless of health conditions.

Sharon Yamamoto

Makiki

Excusing Hee will be shameful

Today’s story on the “outpouring of support” for Albert Hee, who has been convicted of spending lavishly on his family while ripping off taxpayers, made me furious (“Politicians, kin and pals of tax cheat push judge for lenience,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 3).

Why do we lock up the poor and the violent and excuse the privileged and connected when they have less excuse than anyone for committing crimes?

Hold Hee accountable. Let’s not shame ourselves as a community by doing anything less.

Elisa Johnston

Makiki