Redistricting panel acting responsibly

Ramona Davis criticizes the current work of the redistricting commission ("Redistricting plan still seems illogical," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Aug. 29).

As the senator representing Senate District 25, which encompasses parts of Hawaii Kai, Waimanalo, Keolu Hills, Lanikai and Kailua, I want to clarify some of the erroneous assertions made in her letter.

The proposed new districts provide that House 50 would partially represent Kaneohe and Kailua. My predecessor represented both Hawaii Kai and Waimanalo, in addition to Kailua, for several terms with no public protest. It is very appropriate that Waimanalo is represented with Kailua, as both are located in Koolaupoko.

Election redistricting is not based on geographical boundaries but instead on results of the 2010 census. Also, it is not the responsibility of elected officials of Kaneohe and Kailua to tell the commission what are "logical" district lines. In fact, it is the contrary. That legal responsibility lies with the commission, which is represented and appointed by both political parties.

Sen. Pohai Ryan
D-25th (Hawaii Kai, Waimanalo, Keolu Hills, Lanikai, Kailua)

Oahu should have more recycling bins

As a frequent visitor to Honolulu, I am continually dismayed at the lack of recycle bins in public and hotel areas.

I know the people of Hawaii are devoted to their ocean life, and it leaves me frustrated to see so much plastic thrown away. The debris finds itself out to sea threatening all manner of ocean creatures.

I have a feeling the great garbage patch out there in the Pacific was built on plastic store bags and a plethora of hotel shampoo vials.

Gail Maher
San Diego

Japan Little Leaguers showed good values

For the first time, I watched a Little League game, between Mexico and Japan, and I was impressed.

Especially the team from Japan.

This team is well disciplined, well coached and they promote excellent sportsmanship. When the umpire called the third strike, the batter graciously bowed. To me this was the highlight of the game.

Winning or losing is not the most important thing in a sports contest, but displaying good character in playing the game should be a lesson to all of us.

Herbert Morioka
Aina Haina

Cal Thomas a failure as a prognosticator

Cal Thomas writes about President Barack Obama’s pick for an economic adviser, Alan Krueger: "Krueger’s accuracy is not a good one" ("Obama misplacing his hope in new economics adviser," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 1).

However, several years ago a study at Hamilton College indicated Cal Thomas was the least accurate pundit. The research paper was entitled, "Are Talking Heads Blowing Hot Air? An Analysis of the Accuracy of Forecasts in the Political Media."

So a prediction of doom from Cal Thomas should provide at the very least a glimmer of hope for success for those struggling with the unemployment problem.

Jim Wolfe
Nuuanu

Academy did not loan art to governor

A recent letter published in this newspaper criticized our governor for borrowing works of art for his office from the Honolulu Academy of Arts rather than from the Hawaii State Art Museum ("Governor did not need to borrow art," Star-Advertiser, Aug. 29).

For the record, the Honolulu Academy of Arts does not have any works of art on loan to the governor’s office, although we would be pleased to lend works if requested by him. The reporter was in error in an initial article.

We would be proud to have great works of art by one of the many accomplished artists who live in our community on view in the governor’s office for visitors to enjoy.

I think we should be proud to have a governor who has a passion for the arts and continues to support Hawaii’s Arts in Public Places Program. The quality of public art, which is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike, is one of the special things about our community.

Stephan Jost
Director, Honolulu Academy of Arts

Full speed ahead with long-overdue train

There seems to be renewed concerns and second-guessing over which type of rail to build, or if we should even build it at all.

We have kicked this can down the road for more than 30 years now, dating back to the days of Mayor Frank Fasi. There has been more analysis, studies, hearings, discussion and debate on rail than any other issue in recent memory.

Thankfully, this time rail is well on its way. A funding mechanism is in place, environmental studies have been completed and a transit authority has taken office to build and operate the rail system.

Honolulu has some of the worst traffic congestion in the nation. There will always be skeptics, but to continue doing nothing is unacceptable.

Dawn Kawamoto
Honolulu

City should stop talks with Ansaldo

Here we have a perfect opportunity to get out of a contract with a company that is unreliable, in financial trouble, and would burden taxpayers for years to come. Yet, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation continues its courtship with Ansaldo Honolulu, which is really from Italy. Why?

Ronald Paul Tario
Nuuanu

Hawaii CEOs seem horribly out of touch

The Star-Advertiser recently reported on the egregious compensation paid to some of Hawaii’s CEOs, which brought to mind the recent reports on "war profiteering."

Here we are in the middle of a painful recession and we have a banker receiving more than $6 million in pay, all the while paying the people who have savings accounts in his bank less than a paltry 1 percent! Then the CEO of an electric utility receiving the same, while raising the rates several times in the recent past on her financially strapped customers.

Am I the only one who feels that we regular citizens of Hawaii are being had by "recession profiteers"?

Art Todd
Kaneohe

We need a change at Water Supply Board

The chairman and members of the Board of Water Supply’s board of directors must accept responsibility for squandering funds on bonuses, 21 percent pay raises, overpaid contract executives, lobbyists that have cost the public $489,000 since 2006 and failed pet projects that the board continues to fund.

After increasing water rates 57.6 percent from 2006 to 2010, they are now asking for 70 percent more for the next five years, making it a compounded total of 127.6 percent in 2015. Randall Chung, in his second term as board chairman, had his chance to do good for the ratepayers but was not successful.

The Board of Water Supply’s manager, deputy, contract executives and extravagant in-house legal office that no other city department has should be replaced by permanent civil service employees. Civil service workers earned the right for promotions. The current contract management style since 1999 has failed. We need a change!

Wil Chang
Honolulu