No back-billing would be unfair

Your Dec. 4 editorial questioned our ability to ensure that future technical "glitches" won’t occur ("Stop back-billing water users," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 4).

To be clear, we identified what caused the technical glitch and quickly implemented appropriate resolutions. We continue to monitor performance to prevent further issues.

The editorial failed to mention that now:

» More than 98 percent of customer bills are based on actual meter readings.

» Only 2 percent of customer bills are being estimated.

» More than 95 percent of customer calls are being picked up.

It also simplistically addressed the issue of back billing for actual water usage by proposing that the practice be discontinued. It didn’t address the inequity this creates for those customers who do pay for the water they actually use, nor the inability for us to credit customers for underground piping leaks.

Our goal is to provide accurate monthly billing to all our customers. To imply otherwise is a disservice to your readers and our customers.

Ernest Y. W. Lau
Manager, Board of Water Supply

Violent sports at UH are costly

Now that someone at the University of Hawaii Board of Regents has sold the idea of a 10-year maintenance schedule, why not add ending UH football and men’s and women’s basketball — all violent and expensive sports programs?

If done, then maybe we could attract better professors by offering better salaries and get competent maintenance at all UH facilities. We could strive for true excellence.

Mike Powers
Iwilei

Raise age level for marathon

We have cheered on Honolulu Marathon runners for years; it is always great to see such a variety of runners from around the world.

I am increasingly concerned, however, at the young age of some of the participants.

Each year we see adults, usually visitors, with children who appear to be no more than 10 years old. By the time they get out to where we are, they have been on the road for almost four hours, and are barely halfway finished. They are always walking and appear exhausted.

The minimum age for the Honolulu Marathon is 7 years old. The minimum age for the New York City Marathon is 16 years, and it’s 18 for the Chicago and Boston marathons.

I would ask the Honolulu Marathon executive board to review the minimum age in order to make the marathon the fun and safe event it should be.

Helen Gibson Ahn
Hawaii Kai

Future Caucus will help people

Richard O. Rowland raised concerns that the Hawaii Future Caucus — aimed at increasing young voters’ participation in government — will lead to more laws that benefit legislators and less individual freedom ("More laws make government bigger," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Dec. 3).

On the contrary, I think increasing transparency and voter participation — which are the caucus’ stated goals — will actually embolden the individual. Shining more light on the government process and creating an atmosphere that welcomes the public will only help to give the public more of a voice and a greater impact on public policy.

Like Rowland and other members of the community, I’m very concerned that the current state of government is disenfranchising and ignoring the people it’s supposed to represent.

Rather than giving government more power, I think that working to pass laws to make it easier for the public to get involved in government will only help restore power to Hawaii’s people.

Rep. Beth Fukumoto
District 36 (Mililani, Mililani Mauka, Waipio Acres)

Taiwan aid was a good move

David Chen rightfully lauds Taiwan for its outpouring of governmental and private humanitarian assistance to the people of the Philippines suffering in the aftermath of typhoon Haiyan ("Taiwan generous in aiding Philippines," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Dec. 2).

Providing such assistance is especially beneficent given the recent tension between Taipei and Manila.

Nevertheless, both countries hold democratic values, enjoy complementary economic advantages and are close friends with the U.S.

Going forward, let’s hope that both countries further focus on common interests by negotiating an investment agreement and ultimately a free-trade agreement.

Bill Sharp
Moiliili