DBEDT comments were poorly worded

In comments filed with the Public Utilities Commission, the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism submitted a filing that some have construed as criticizing the HEI Companies for subordinating the interests of customers relative to maximizing profits.

This was the result of a not-so-artfully worded phrase on the final page of DBEDT’s comments on HEI’s Power Supply Improvement Plans that it filed with the PUC.

For this we apologize, as it was not our intent to question the motives of HEI.

We believe HEI was acting in good faith, seeking solutions for the good of Hawaii. The plans were submitted as a starting point for further discussion. We don’t agree with some of the assumptions and conclusions, but it was not our intent to convey or imply that those differences were the result of questionable motives.

As in previous filings, our comments were intended to provide a constructive critique.While our filing delineates a number of areas of disagreement, we share a common vision for Hawaii’s energy future.

Mark Glick
Administrator, Hawaii State Energy Office

Amendments 2 and 5 deserve support

In its recent editorial, "’Yes’ to bonds for dam repairs," the Star-Advertiser clearly articulates the reasons why voters should approve Amendment 5 (Our View, Oct. 15).

As a local rancher and president of the statewide Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, I also support this state amendment and appreciate the Star-Advertiser’s recommendation to Hawaii voters.

There’s another proposed amendment on the ballot that also deserves a "Yes" vote.

Amendment 2, relating to agricultural enterprises, would allow ranchers like me, as well as farmers, nursery owners and others in agriculture, to access low-interest loans and invest in much-needed infrastructure.

Ranchers and farmers throughout the state need access to reliable water systems. The availability of special purpose revenue bonds would allow ranchers, and perhaps huis of ranchers in a community, to work together to develop needed water infrastructure or infrastructure for other projects to move agriculture forward in Hawaii.

I urge readers to consider voting "Yes" on Amendments 2 and 5.

Alex Franco
President, Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council
Makawao, Maui

Preschool initiative about the children

I would like to thank Nanea Kalani for her article on the preschool initiative and want to respond to comments made by Wil Okabe, Hawaii State Teachers Association president ("Union opposes preschool initiative," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 13).

Okabe stated that the constitutional amendment "would take money away from the public schools and benefit private preschools."

This is a very self-serving comment, as the only "benefit" that should be focused on is the benefit to the recipients, preschool children, who would definitely gain from early-learning experiences.

Okabe also states that the infrastructure is in place — there is a public school in every community — and we have certified and trained teachers. However, having a public school in each community does not mean there are available classrooms for preschool children. Most important is that teaching preschool children requires a background in early childhood education, which is a different set of skills that kindergarten teachers have.

Sue Brown
Kailua

Candidates should stick to the positive

Those negative TV ads that repeatedly show the opposition candidates’ photo and videos and repeatedly mention his or her name may have a reverse effect.

I want to defend that candidate being shown, and the ads give me a negative opinion of the ad sponsor.

Advertising using the opposition’s name and photo might bite back. I remember the name of the defendant but not the accuser.

Candidates need to tell me what they have done and or can or will do in the future, rather than what their opponents didn’t, couldn’t or wouldn’t.

Negative ads cost politicians my vote — and I have voted in every election for 54 years and counting.

Nancy Thomas
Waialae-Kahala

Ancient Hawaiians might oppose protest

Contrary to the protesters against the new Mauna Kea telescope, I doubt that the ancient Hawaiians, with their fascination with the stars, would have opposed this project.

I also question the claim that Mauna Kea is sacred ground that the telescope project would violate.

Sacred to whom? The ancient Hawaiian religion was banned by Queen Kaahumanu in favor of Christianity. Does anyone claim to follow that religion today?

Finally, all U.S. citizens have equal claim to all lands within the boundaries of the United States.

People who claim Hawaiian ancestry have no speciallegal claim on this mountain.

Carl H. Zimmerman
Salt Lake

FROM THE FORUM

Readers of the Star-Advertiser’s online edition can respond to stories posted there. The following are some of those. Instead of names, pseudonyms are generally used online. They have been removed.

"Union opposes preschool initiative," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 13:

>> The only reason that the union opposes the amendment is because it does not directly benefit from it.

>> We don’t have preschool for all because Gov. Neil Abercrombie shut down pre-kindergarten in the public schools two years ago. What the Hawaii State Teachers Association is proposing is simply to restart pre-kindergarten. Nothing more, nothing less. Why should the state pay to support private religious organizations? And don’t worry, I am not a teacher or HSTA member. Just an informed voter.

——

"Lost in Kalaeloa," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 13:

>> Why must jurisdiction always be the excuse? Why can’t state and local government just get things done?

>> There is no excuse for not finding the airport. For those prices, you could make a phone call to the airline and ask for directions.

——

"Firm drops protest against HART," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 13:

>> Clearly the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation is out of touch with reality. Whoever designed the project must have had an idea how much it was going to cost. Missing it by 60 percent is inconceivable. How much credence can you give them when they proclaim they are on track and on budget?

>> It is ludicrous to think that contractors who know that HART is desperate for these contracts would come in lower on the rebid. Insane. It’s supply and demand. HART needs them and they know it. 

——

"Teacher accused of having sex with student," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 14:

>>  Criminal prosecution and termination for just cause are two different things. What the teacher did is not criminal, but is just cause for discharge under the Hawaii State Teachers Association contract because it is explicitly prohibited by state Department of Education policy.

>> They need some kind of law prohibiting student-teacher sex here to make it more clear that this kind of thing will not be tolerated.

>> They is we, and we don’t need another law.

——

"E-cigarettes banned in 49 state buildings," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 14:

>> E-cigs are for those people who don’t want to quit, who want their drug and try to rationalize their addiction away. I thank the state Department of Health for banning them from government buildings.

>> And they are horrible looking. Ban these horrid things.

>> It would be nice to know more about the "various tests" cited by state Health Director Linda Rosen for justifying her decision.

——

"Defense issues heat up with climate," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 15:

>> For all Americans, such distractionary, partisan nonsense from the Defense Department should be cause for alarm.

>> The DOD should be more concerned about ISIS and defending our country. Let FEMA do its job for a change. Ever notice that when budget cuts are on the table, China and Russia become greater threats?

——

"Military uniforms permitted in campaign advertisements," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 16:

>> I’m sick of seeing these politicians in combat uniforms!

>> A ploy to get veterans’ votes, so why not? Non-veteran politicians use many guises to fool the voters.

>> If they served or are serving then they earned the right to wear the uniform as authorized. Nothing wrong with that. Too few politicians today have any military experience.

——

"4-star general becomes first woman to command Pacific Air Forces," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 17:

>> It’s inspiring, for sure. It’s a very important post and I have no doubt the military would not have given her the position if she wasn’t eminently qualified to do the job. She must have overcome a lot of naysayers to come so far in her service to the U.S.

>> More likely, Gen. Robinson had to work twice as hard as pilots and others to achieve what she has. She’ll be great.

——

"Slain soldier’s accolades are taken in burglary," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 17:

>> This breaks my heart. 

>> Wow, how low-class can people be?

>> A thief will grab anything resembling monetary value, like the small blue cases, without checking the contents within.