NextEra statements aren’t promises

NextEra and Hawaiian Electric Industries filed a 791-page report (yes, 791 pages!) with the state Public Utilities Commission explaining why NextEra should be our power company.

NextEra also ran full-page ads in the Star-Advertiser — gorgeous photographs of Hawaii and headlines that say, "Saving our customers millions on their electric bills" and "Strengthening and accelerating Hawaii’s clean energy future."

If you still have Sunday’s paper, check the 2-plus inches of small gray print at the bottom of the page, labeled "Forward Looking Statements." It’s very hard to read.

If your Sunday paper is already in the bird cage, here’s the gist of the statements:

It is a legal disclaimer telling the reader that when an ad talks about the future, using words like "will," "may," "intend," "believe," and so on, these statements are not promises, so don’t expect what they say necessarily will come to pass.

Dee Olsen
Kailua

High fees finance Hawaiian Air CEO

Ever wonder where Hawaiian Airlines gets the money to pay its CEO so much ("Hawaiian Air CEO lands $3.1 million in compensation," Star-Advertiser, April 11)?

Recently the airline charged me $70 extra to pay cash for two tickets, a one-minute transaction.

Larry Meacham
Wahiawa

Doctors distracted by so many rules

I want to commend Star-Advertiser reporter Kristen Consillio for her accurate description of the jeopardy of doctor-patient relationships in the contentious issuesbetween the Hawaii Medical Association and Hawaii’s most prominent medical insurance company, Hawaii Medical Service Association ("New rule viewed as meddling," Star-Advertiser, April 12).

The failure ofthe majority of physiciansto recognize and respond to the problems discussed in the article is, at least, due in part to the preoccupation withthe vast proliferationof rules and regulations being introduced at government and hospital-management levels at this time.

I would like to mention, however, that I was listed in the article as a pediatric ophthal- mologist. Although I have completed a fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology,I practice comprehensive (general) ophthalmology.

The good news is that presently I have been reinstated as a participating physician by HMSA.

MalcolmIng
Nuuanu

HMSA going against interest of patients?

In its new contract with physicians, the Hawaii Medical Service Association decrees thatreferrals shall be made to other participating providers.

Included in this contract is the unsubstantiated threat that out-of-network referrals may be costlier to the consumer.

Physicians have attempted to meet with HMSA to negotiate more reasonable terms, based on best practices, not the amount of money saved by HMSA. Essentially, they have been blown off by HMSA. Others who have redlined the contract have been told that all payments will stop.

What’s scary is a Hawaii Medical Association statement that most doctors signed the contract without reading it.

The scariest part is this: Does HMSA have staff physicians who determine whether an out-of-network referral is in the best interest ofa patient, or is it a clerk following company rules?

We live in dangerous times.

Rike Weiss
Niu Valley

Act now to protect homeless children

It befuddles me thatthe mayorneeds a Star-Advertiser article to motivate him about homeless issues inhis town ("Broker shares his frustrations over Waikiki Beach pavilion conditions," Star-Advertiser, April 4).

Do the mayor and hisdepartment heads walk around with blinders? If they would venture outsidetheir offices, they would also notice that the homeless populace has taken over entire sidewalks and streets abutting the John A. Burns School of Medicine. Motorists attempting to drive through are sworn at and ordered to drive around homeless people who refuse to move off the street.

There are toddlers on tricycles using these thoroughfares as personal playgrounds. The mayor and his staff should be proactive and not waitfor one of these childrento receive serious injury before taking action.

Richard Ornellas
Liliha

Oil cheaper but still bad for the planet

I am astounded that the Star-Advertiser let oil company chief Joseph Israel completely ignore the issue of global warming when touting petroleum in his refinery as Hawaii’s cheapest energy option ("Oil — not renewables — touted as isles’ linchpin," Star-Advertiser, April 10).

What good will cheap oil do when all of our beaches are gone because of rising sea levels?

Of course, little Hawaii can’t do much to stop planet-killing corporations and countries and, yes, consumers from committing environmental suicide.

But at least we could try, because it’s the right thing to do.

Walter Wright
Kaneohe

Music at airport was special moment

Mahalo to the Hawaii Department of Transportation’s Airports Division for providing live Hawaiian music at Hilo Airport on Sunday, April 12. This was the end of a fantastic Merrie Monarch weekend.

As we waited in the open lounge area we were pleasantly surprised when a musical and singing group started to entertain us. Several of the halau dancers who had come to perform at the festival spontaneously joined the group with dance. It was a special moment.

Lucky we live Hawaii.

Cheryl Soon
Hawaii Kai