Letters to the Editor

Coral Andrews’ ‘baby’ doing poorly

Leaving a $175,000 annual salary behind, Coral Andrews, executive director of Hawaii Health Connector, is resigning as of Dec. 6. She said that it was time to let go ("Andrews to exit top Connector post," Star-Advertiser, Nov. 23 Opens in a new tab).

I would agree.

At her job since December 2011, Andrews has overseen a program that has the fifth-lowest enrollment figures in the nation, and since Oct. 15 has enrolled only around 257 individuals.

In addition, Hawaii was the last state in the nation to post a health plan on the exchange. Comparatively speaking,that $175,000 salary would pay the wages of Honolulu’s mayor and employ one additional teacher in our schools.

Not only here but across our nation, big money has been spent to advance the Affordable Care Act, with very little to show in return. ACA is a well-intended program that has gone amok.It is a very sad ordeal for all of us to see.

Andrews said that the Hawaii Health Connector has been her "baby." Unfortunately, the infant has come to full term, but the baby is on life support and is barely breathing.

I truly hope that her baby will survive.

Richard Dinges
Hilo

It’s Honolulu, not Hahnahlulu

As consumers, we should boycott businesses that advertise on television and radio mispronouncing the name of our capital as "Hah-nah-lulu." City and state officials also deserve correction. The pronunciation is "Hoh-noh-lulu." (Hana is located on Maui.)

This sort of carelessness is offensive to the sensibilities of many, particularly those of us of Hawaiian blood. Please be sensitive, please respect our language.

Jack Lee
Honolulu

‘The least of these’ are our brethren

A verse from a book embraced by many proclaims, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Some who believe in this book respond positively and help "the least," such as the Institute for Human Services or Catholic Charities and others.

Some respond negatively with condescension, loathing and sledgehammers. They seem to blame "the least" for their adversity, to forget the aphorism, "There but for the grace of God go I."

I humbly ask that this latter group look into their hearts and ask for compassionate guidance on dealing with the problems of "the least of my brethren" rather than abhorring them. They are our brethren.

It won’t be easy, but please look, openly, honestly.

James A. Hildenbrand
Waialae Iki

No need to import Christmas trees

Why are we importing all these trees? There is a locally grown Christmas tree farm here on Oahu. There is no need to buy imports with all the bugs.

What’s the point of those agricultural disclosure forms on the airplanes when we allow shiploads of trees and other imported products? I understand why some nutritional produce is imported and seriously inspected. However, that is different than a luxury product such as a tree, which could easily be substituted for one grown locally, or something else.

And folks were so worried about the prospect of environmental damage from the Superferry and the molasses spill.

Tree buyers, check your environmental conscience.

Nancy Miller
Waikiki

Oahu has too many cars for comfort

David Rolf, executive director of the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association, said that an additional 4,000-plus cars on Oahu roads is "great for the whole community" ("Registrations of new vehicles in isles jump 24 percent," Star-Advertiser, Nov. 19 Opens in a new tab).

He needs to get out more — that is, unless he’s talking about some other community.

Cynthia Oi said the "collective number of miles driven has tumbled," but she’s talking about the United States in general ("With traffic unbearable, driving’s no fun anymore," Star-Advertiser, Under the Sun, Oct. 24 Opens in a new tab).

I don’t think anybody who’s tried to drive our roads recently feels there’s less traffic. H-1 is jammed morning, noon and night, and that’s before Koa Ridge being built. The Pali Highway can be bumper-to-bumper, both directions, all day long.

Jamaica, another island, has managed this mess by requiring that for every vehicle brought in, one must be taken out. I understand that in Manila, the number of cars on the road is controlled by an assigned-day system. Are we not capable of devising such simple and enforceable rules?

Tom Tizard
Kailua

Why are GMOs so demonized?

I admit it. I don’t get it.What is wrong with genetically modified food? Is it bad for my health? If anyone has shown that such food will make you ill, I haven’t seen it.

There are already many chemicals, antibiotics and pesticides in our food that are allowed. So why the uproar about GMO?

I can understand that GMO food should be labeled as such to simply notify the buyer. If organic food is labeled as such, GMO food should be labeled. But I get the impression from the anti-GMO protesters that they see this as something far more sinister and dangerous.

Preventing salmonella, E-coli, botulism and other food-borne diseases makes public health sense. But GMO? I don’t get it.

Lunsford Phillips
Kailua

Loud motorbikes a danger to seniors

Bikers who have to be jerks and race their motorbikes so loudly on Ala Moana from Hobron to Ala Wai bridge should beware. Their actions could set off a pacemaker or scare an elderly person to a heart attack — then how funny would it be.

Someone could die due to their selfishness.

Bill Fuson
Ala Moana