Kakaako rendering was misleading

No surprise that the illustration submitted with the article, "Builder wants to alter tower rules" (Star-Advertiser, Aug. 29) is listed as "Courtesy Howard Hughes Corp."

We get a high-viewplane look showing the 988 Halekauwila St. tower and the rail system, with ample open space and the Koolaus’ green outline in the background.

Conspicuously absent and blocking much of the real future view is the huge Symphony condo complex at Ward and Kapiolani, already under construction. The rendering approximates a 20th-floor perspective from one of the many high-rises Hughes plans along Ala Moana Boulevard, also left out of the picture.

Now imagine the view from ground level five years from now, maybe from the Sports Authority parking lot. No mountains, no ocean, just concrete all around, constantly interrupted by passing commuter trains.

Maybe Hawaii wants to choose this future for Kakaako, but honest representation of the trade-offs involved would help.

Dan Binkley
Makiki

Nature will resolve Natatorium debate

I do not want to minimize the dire effects of global warming, and the catastrophic effects it will wreak on Waikiki Beach in the foreseeable future, but it will have one sizable benefit.

Please cancel the multimillion-dollar environmental study concerning rebuilding the Waikiki Natatorium swimming pool. The pool has been closed for 51 years, and the entire edifice will be under water sooner than that, according to projections.

If the city hasn’t done anything in half a century, surely it can wait and let Mother Nature make the decisions for it.

F. David Wagner
Moiliili

Brooks heralded virtues to emulate

David Brooks’ column ("Good thinking requires moral enterprise, courage," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 1) appeared abstract and aloof until one read the article further in the newspaper, "Elders focus last talk on achieving peace."

The three-day conference featuring the experiences and accomplishments of The Elders (Desmond Tutu, Gro Harlem Brundtland and Hina Jilani) exemplified the virtues in Brooks’ column: love of learning, courage, firmness, humility, autonomy and generosity.

We should be very thankful to Pillars of Peace and the Omidyars for getting the conversation started. It is unlikely any of us will achieve what The Elders have, but we can play a role.

Think globally, act locally.

Michael Bornemann
Hawaii Kai

Governor deluded about his downfall

Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s assessment that public anger over his stance on same-sex marriage was a prime cause of his electoral wipeout is one of the most clueless pieces of political analysis I can recall. It just confirms how out of touch he’s become.

What he can’t wrap his head around is how deeply he alienated the core Democratic constituencies he believed he was championing. Bringing a leader who’s out of touch back in touch is what elections are all about.

David Kemble
Kailua

HECO right to make PV pay its own way

The "PV industry" was never so much about "going green" as it was about selling products and services at inflated prices to support salaries for salesmen, contractors and laborers.

Political correctness and the lure of tax incentives have deluded homeowners into dreaming of "free" electricity. Homeowners have individually borrowed ten of thousands of dollars to install solar panels while simultaneously burdening all taxpayers with millions of dollars in tax credits. Hawaiian Electric Co.’s plan helps reveal the economic flaws underpinning the industry.

Any homeowner who wishes to "go green" can disconnect from the grid and avoid HECO’s proposed charges.

Almost all homeowners derive significant benefit at night and during peak usage from grid access. The grid was expensive to create and is expensive to maintain. The cost of access to on-demand power is significantly more than $17 a month.

HECO’s plan appears to be a fair start at unbundling access to the grid from fuel generation.

John Keiser
Kahaluu

HECO just wants to ensure its profits

Hawaiian Electric Co.’s filing with the Public Utilities Commission is very disappointing.

Instead of detailing how solar energy can be expanded, how we can reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower electricity costs for everyone, it seems an effort to maintain HECO’s virtual energy monopoly and ensure profitability regardless of how effectively and efficiently it operates.

The statement that customers won’t feel the new rates is not sensitive to the high cost of living here, the number of people having to work multiple jobs and the significant number of customers on fixed incomes. When one in five persons needs help from the Foodbank, we know they also need lower utility costs.

Also, there are many seriously considering photovoltaic installations whose plans are held up by HECO’s inaction. The plan does not adequately address a way forward for solar installations.

Hopefully, public voices will be heard on this important issue for a more responsible way forward.

Curtis Lee
Salt Lake

Third Deedy trial is such a waste

Judge Karen Ahn and the prosecutor’s office are way off base pushing for a third trial for Christopher Deedy.

The jury acquitted Deedy of murder, the charge both the judge and the deputy prosecutor sought. They will never get a conviction. It looks like the only charge that could be found would be that of incompetence.

David L. Zevenbergen
Mililani