Carroll Cox a good public watchdog

I was bothered to find that the environmentalist, Carroll Cox, the person who first investigated and initiated the complaint against Honolulu Planning Commissioner Andrew Jamila, was not given credit ("Panelist fined for landfill ethics violation," Star-Advertiser, Aug. 12).

Over the years I have observed the many issues Mr. Cox has brought to our attention, the variety of unforgivable irregularities (scams) caused by government officials and appointees.

It is my understanding that Mr. Cox, who is not compensated monetarily by anyone, has uncovered and exposed the corrupt practices of government officials and their appointees. Let’s give credit where credit is due.

Celeste Voeks
Mililani

Governor’s secrecy should not surprise

Why is anyone surprised that Gov. Neil Abercrombie refuses transparency in his judicial choices?

Remember, people, this is the man who blithely cost us nearly a million dollars to hold a special election because his overweening ambition made him quit the office he was elected to serve.

I can only hope others will join me at the voting booth to make this hubristic politician a one-term governor.

Mark Stitham
Kailua

Governor did not need to borrow art

In the article about Hale Kia‘aina, the official residence of Hawaii’s governors, it mentioned that the governor was seated in his state Capitol office, "cheerfully decorated with books, etc. Another piece of art or two is courtesy of the Honolulu Academy of Arts."

The entire purpose of Hawaii’s Arts in Public Places Act, the first in the nation and now emulated by several other states, was to provide just that — art in public places. This was/is paid for by setting aside 1 percent of the construction costs of every state structure expressly for the purchase of art. Thus, the art in all state buildings, legislators’ offices, state airports, schools, etc., is a part of this program.

When former first lady Vicki Cayetano realized that most of the vast collection was not actually seen by the public, she spearheaded the establishment of the Hawaii State Art Museum, a true gem. There is still, apparently, a large amount of state-owned art not on view.

Couldn’t the governor have selected "a piece or two" from that collection?

Why would he have to borrow from the Academy of Arts?

Alice Tucker
Honolulu

Redistricting plans still seem illogical

I read B.J. Reyes’ story on the shifting reapportionment borders and was disappointed by the emphasis on affected representatives, although I’m sure it interested those affected ("Plan would shift district borders," Star-Advertiser, Aug. 4).

Since I checked the maps online the last time I voted, I’ve been waiting to see if there was any improvement in the shocking mosaic of my hometown, Kaneohe. Seriously, I can’t understand why Kaneohe and Kailua representatives, at all levels, have allowed it to happen. I know without online access, ordinary people like myself just expect that such things are done by responsible, hard-working committees.

Back in 2010 I was shocked to see crazy things like Haiku Plantations lumped over the hill with Ahuimanu, although you can’t get from one to the other without going around the hills. The new maps do the same thing with Lanikai, making it part of Waimanalo.

Is it just too logical to center each district on the town(s) and work outward? At least Kaneohe is only two districts, 48 and 49, this time, and Haiku Plantations rejoined Kaneohe/Heeia, bringing part of Ahuimanu with it. But poor Kailua! Check for yourself at http://elections3.hawaii.gov/citizenhelp/plans/reapportionment-house.pdf.

Ramona Davis
Kaneohe

There’s no negative to PACE program

The Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program was defeated last year in Hawaii, but discussion can start now to keep it fresh in everyone’s mind when it comes up for vote. Some facts:

» PACE programs provide long-term private funding for solar power and energy efficiency, with no burden to taxpayers or ratepayers. Homeowners make repayments for the installations in their homes through property tax assessments over many years.

» Twenty-seven states have passed enabling legislation for PACE.

» The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) effectively killed PACE last year because of concerns over seniority of liens. The newly introduced PACE Protection Act (HR2599) seeks to restore these innovative and wildly popular programs while satisfying FHFA’s concerns.

There’s no downside to PACE. We hope our congressional delegation will restore the PACE revolution by voting for HR2599.

Joel Savoie
Honolulu

Some catamarans need to be safer

Large catamarans sailing off Waikiki are very scenic and pleasurable. However, it is not safe and is a danger to the unsuspecting public. The catamarans have pivoting masts, which have only a single support shroud on each side of the hulls. This is a dangerous single point of failure.

The pivoting mast concept comes from high-performance racing and has no place on passenger boats. This design error can easily be remedied by preventing mast rotation and by adding the proper standing rigging to the mast.

Milton Allione
Kailua