Prosecute cop caught on video

I’m shocked — shocked — that another"good old boys" network has circled the wagons and shielded one of its own from the consequences of his actions behind special privilege and denial.

In the same vein as the NFL’shandling (or not) of Ray Rice knocking out his fiancée in a casino elevator, caught on video, our own Honolulu Police Department failed to arrest or even generate a report on one of its ownafter anapparent public beating the officer gave a woman was also caught on film ("‘Trust has been lost’ in HPD, lawmakers say," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 12).

That an assistant chief noted that discipline for such an infractioncouldinclude termination doesn’t even address the nature of the offense, which is criminal on its face without the victim needing topress charges.

In both of these cases, a record of assault preceded the ones finally caught on film.

William E. Conti
Waikiki

Isles unfriendly to new doctors

Kudos to Kristen Consillio for her article about the difficulties faced by Hawaii’s medical doctors in today’s world ("Doctors say they’re being squeezed out," Star-Advertiser, Sept 14).

According to statistics, we need to attract 700 new physicians to meet the needs of our health care system. That is unlikely to happen. What young doctor in his or her right mind would choose to practice in a state with the highest cost of living and near lowest level of reimbursement from Medicare, Medicaid and local insurers?

Add to that a physician-unfriendly tort system, public schools that rank near the bottom nationally and student loans incurred in getting that medical degree and you have a lose-lose proposition, one that beautiful weather and gorgeous scenery cannot overcome.

As older physicians retire and others opt to leave for the mainland, we will soon find ourselves in the unhappy position of having to travel to the West Coast to seek medical care.

Mollie Foti
Kailua

Turtle Bay sets example for UH

I applaud Turtle Bay’s initiative in adding green roofs and solarpanels to its hotel in Laie ("Attractive ‘green roof’ eases energy usage at Turtle Bay," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 15).

Wouldn’t it be nice if the University of Hawaii, one of the state’s largest energy users (at the rate of $1.2 million per month), followed suit?

Its obvious lack of interest in similar cost savings for such a cash-strapped institution would suggest there must be a conflict of interest in reducing payments to the state’s largest utility.

However, now that financial disclosure is de rigueur for its Board of Regents, is there any excuse for further foot-dragging, since those fearing disclosure have exited?

Don Brown
Waialae Nui Ridge

ISIS a real threat to United States

Do Great Britain, Germany and the rest of the European countries think they are exempt from the viciousness of ISIS?

Do they forget that the United States had to invade Europe 70 years ago to evict a brutal, heinous regime from their borders?

If the countries of Europe do not stand with the U.S. against this new brutal radical Islamic threat, then the U.S. will have to invade the continent again to evict ISIS from within its borders.

For Germany to say it is not going to fully support us in our fight against ISIS is appalling. We should immediately prepare to remove all of our troops from German soil and restrict any support or aid it is getting from us at this time.

This is all contingent upon our president finally accepting the fact that we are facing a very real threat, we are at war, and the enemy is Islamic.

James Roller
Mililani

Djou wrong on Hawaiians issue

As described in your article on Sunday, Charles Djou strongly favors congressional legislation to create a Hawaiian tribe, and mega-bucks for racial entitlement programs ("Rivals differ on strategies for Native Hawaiians," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 14). That’s why he deserves to lose.

Surely most voters — especially Republicans — oppose racial separatism and government handouts for one racial group at everyone else’s expense. We do not want the lands and people of Hawaii carved up into an apartheid regime.

We also don’t want thousands of federal Indian laws suddenly forced on all of us by Congress without a ballot vote by all Hawaii’s people (not just those who sign up on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ racial registry).

Djou is correct that Republicans blocked the Akaka Bill for 13 years, and he could do far better than any Democrat to wheel and deal with his fellow Republicans to stop blocking it. That’s exactly why Hawaii voters should reject Djou.

Kenneth R. Conklin
Kaneohe

Exhibit similar to earlier tribute

My gut reaction to the article, "Landmark show" (Star-Advertiser, Sept. 14), leaves a sweet-and-sour taste that accentuates the sadness with which I leave Hawaii. This is my last Sunday of living in the islands. It’s OK, I tell myself.

Twenty years ago I prepared 36 oil pastel views of Diamond Head, a tribute to Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai, that were featured in my one-man show at Pauahi Tower at Bishop Square.

The exhibit went unnoticed by many, including art critics and editors of both papers. Slides of these views were once part of the Linekona Art lending library.

I am glad to see that the 36-view concept is still a viable idea for presentation.

Aloha Hawaii, until we meet again.

John C. Nippolt
Kaneohe

Bikers should wear helmets

I read recently about two motorcycle accidents, with one being fatal.

Then on my way to church, I followed a dozen or more motorcyclists out for a ride. Half had no helmets and the women on the back also had no helmets.

I have many friends who ride motorcycles, and they say it’s not "if but when will you put it down."

I cannot imagine why motorcyclists ride without their helmets, especially if they care for their wives or girlfriends.

I prayed in church that morning that the group I saw made it home safely.

Chuck Reindollar
Makiki

Natural gas bad for environment

Thank you for covering the practice of fracking to obtain natural gas ("Fracking’s water use an issue for arid areas," Sept. 3; "Fracking workers at risk from benzene, feds say," To Your Health, Sept. 15).

Fracking poisons the water and destroys the land for agriculture. Fracking endangers land stability and puts the health of natural-gas workers at risk.

With all this harm to natural resources and danger to our fellow citizens, why would Hawaiian Electric Co. want to buy natural gas for Hawaii? Natural gas is not environmentally friendly energy. Who profits?

Mary A. Guinger
Kaneohe