Don’t publish endorsements

I disagree with the Star-Advertiser endorsing candidates for public office. Apparently the editors decide in their infinite wisdom which candidates are best for the community at large and each individual district. How is it that they get to determine this?

We are a one-horse town now and that horse should report the news, not try to sway public opinion. Do they live in my district and know the concerns of every district in the state such that they get to determine who is better suited for the job? I don’t think so. Stick to reporting the news, Star-Advertiser.

Denise Soderholm
Nuuanu

Police must act in Chinatown

I am very disappointed in Chinatown restaurant owner Serena Hashimoto’s statement, "Somebody punches you in the chin, you get up" ("Business owners seek additional police protection," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 25). It’s not a one-time punch in the chin. If you consistently get punched, would you be able to get up?

The attitude needs to be changed to "something can be done," instead of "business as usual." The police department needs redirection to address this problem. As these burglaries have been ongoing, why aren’t police patrols stepped up to the early hours when all these activities are going on? Tolerance for these types of negative events needs to be changed as it will get worse and not better for the communities.

Nancy Nishimura
Kaneohe

Anti-Cayetano attacks harmful

I am sickened by the campaign against former two-term Gov. Ben Cayetano. Pacific Resource Partnership and John White should be ashamed of the despicable campaign they have run. I would expect this kind of mudslinging in a mainland campaign, but not here in Hawaii, our Aloha State.

There are legitimate reasons to be for or against rail. Our citizens are smart enough to make their determination regarding the rail issue and, in general, to decide which candidate will best serve the City and County of Honolulu. After all, these two individuals running for mayor have prior records for all to see.

However, I cannot stomach the garbage on the airways and in the mail by those who oppose Cayetano. Worse still are efforts to oppose Cayetano based on the support of his candidacy by some Republicans. I haven’t voted for a Republican in 50 years.

I will be voting for Democrat Ben Cayetano to be our next mayor.

Richard Port
Former Democratic state party chairman and Democratic national committeeman

Foreign policy goals unwise

Was there a debate on foreign policy on Monday night? Yes, during the 90-minute session, the two candidates did engage in some verbal jousting. But on the whole, there was such a bipartisan agreement that it resembled a congenial love fest.

Here’s a summary of broad agreement on some crucial issues: Blind support of Israel? Check! Wild exaggerations of Iran’s nuclear threat? Check! Massive military aid to repressive sheikdoms like Saudi Arabia and Bahrain? Check! Promise to protect and/or expand the bloated Pentagon budget? Check! Jingoistic China-bashing in order to appear committed to saving thousands of American jobs? Check! Total unanimity on continuing drone attacks? Check!

Despite many polls showing the American public in favor of less militaristic meddling overseas, both the Democrats and Republicans continue to promote an aggressive regime-change posture in U.S. foreign policy.

Danny H.C. Li
Keaau, Hawaii island

Solar projects get incentives

Last week’s Big Q poll in the Star-Advertiser asks the wrong question about the right idea ("What do you think of continued subsidies for the solar photovoltaic industry?" Star-Advertiser, Big Q, Oct. 19). The solar tax credit is not a subsidy for industry, but rather an incentive for the homeowner to invest in solar energy. The homeowner takes the tax credit, and each system that is installed is both a personal investment as well as an investment in Hawaii’s energy infrastructure. Each installation is one more step toward Hawaii’s energy independence.

I was gratified to see that even when described as an "industry subsidy," 76 percent of the readers supported the program. Clearly, the people of Hawaii see the importance of getting away from fossil fuels. I wonder what the results of the poll would have been if the question was, "What do you think of continued incentives for individuals to invest in renewable energy?"

Leslie Cole-Brooks
Executive director, Hawaii Solar Energy Association