Molokai blockade was unwelcome

Molokai, for as long as I can remember, has billed itself as "The Friendly Island." Nothing could be further from the truth with the recent illegal blockade of a cruise ship in Kaunakakai Harbor by isolationist Molokai residents.

It is my hope that one day, those who unilaterally fomented this maritime blockade receive the same welcome in their travels throughout this small planet we all live.

That is, if they ever leave "their" island.

Randall Shaffer
Bristol, R.I.

Council should get creative on transit

I think Ted Kanemori’s idea to make TheBus free during traffic-congested commuting hours deserves consideration by the City Council ("Don’t wait for rail, make TheBus free," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Dec. 4).

I think we may be using the rail project as an excuse not to address our traffic-congestion problems in the short term. We have an excellent bus system. Why can’t we exploit it to address our traffic congestion right now?

The City Council needs to be more creative while we wait for a rail system, which we know is only going to made a dent in the growing congestion anyway. The City Council needs to get creative: Do some experiments and see what works. Waiting 10 years for the rail to partly address the problem is unacceptable.

Richard Manetta
Kaimuki

Clean energy costs can’t be overlooked

The interview with Mark Glick was quite informative ("Mark Glick," Star-Advertiser, Name in the News, Dec 2).

My concern is that the 70 percent clean energy goal is an economically impractical dream. Nowhere in the article was there a discussion of the cost to end users. Recently we have seen our electrical rates increase dramatically, and the state and federal tax breaks offered to the industry will have to be paid sometime. If the goal is reached, will our rates be three times higher?

In addition to cost, there are a number of unintended consequences that could result. With the decrease in oil consumption, will Hawaii’s refineries become uneconomical and shut down?

Also, if rates increase substantially, it will make economic sense for individual homeowners to put solar panels on the roof and add a bank of batteries, a stand-by small gas generator and controller in a small storage shed. This combination will allow them to become independent and get off the electric grid. Remaining customers will cover the lost revenues. If this becomes a trend, HECO will be in an economic downward spiral.

Bob Stengle
Aina Haina

Hirono has plan to cut budget deficit

Richard Borreca’s column about the deficit has a glaring error ("Help Congress help itself by cutting $174,000 salary," Star-Advertiser, On Politics, Nov. 29).

Mazie Hirono does have a plan to reduce the deficit. In the very press release that Borreca cites, Hirono said we should end the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy.

There’s only one candidate in the Senate race who has called for $2.8 trillion in cost savings that will cut our deficit and protect Social Security and Medicare. That candidate is Mazie Hirono.

Thomas Kiyojima
Hilo

Rather than OWS, how about voting?

Reading Mary Welsh’s letter ("Commentary unfair to OWS movement," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Dec. 6), I realized that there are many of us disenchanted with the way this country has changed the way it takes care of its citizens.

I arrived in Honolulu in 1950, have voted in every election since 1964. Our young people long ago have given up voting. Let’s encourage them to be more involved in politics other than the Occupy Wall Street movement, and to start taking part in our privileged election processes. Register to vote and eliminate those candidates who would continue to shock us with arrogant, snotty behavior.

It is amazing that they don’t care to practice decorum, which we should all expect from educated, informed, caring and, most of all, honest men and women who are vying to be our future leaders.

Or am I setting too high a standard? I surely hope not!

Jutta Bruss-Ryan
Waipio

Front-page photo unfair to McMackin

We were wondering why the Star-Advertiser determined it newsworthy to place the photo of a beaten man on Tuesday’s front page, while the sports section’s front page featured a football coach contemplating a loss ("Down and out," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 6). One photo seemed to be punitive, while the other was a football classic: Even the best of ’em lose.

University of Hawaii football coach Greg McMackin did have one winning season and was an excellent defensive coach during the halcyon June Jones years, helping to bring enjoyment and frustration to Warrior fans and players alike.

Phil Broms
Niu Valley

UH coach’s salary sets wrong priority

I am appalled and outraged to learn that University of Hawaii head football coach Greg McMackin earned $1.1 million annually, while UH president M.R.C. Greenwood makes only $427,760. I believe the priorities of the UH system, and perhaps all college systems, are grossly out of balance. I pray that I am not the only person upset by this information.

Jerry Tracy
Kealakekua