Regarding Richard Borreca’s column, it always tickles me when I hear Democrats tell Republicans what they need to do to win elections (“GOP risks losing everything with demographics, Trump,” On Politics, Aug. 30).

Are we to believe there are Democrats who would like to see that happen? I think not.

If a Republican cannot win the office of president in 2016 — considering that under Barack Obama’s watch the national debt has grown to $18.1 trillion, food stamp recipients have increased to 46 million and more than 90 million adults are no longer in the work force — I don’t think it’s possible the GOP will win a presidential election ever again.

If we are to believe what we read, under the direction of the party for the little people, the rich have gotten richer and the poor have gotten poorer.

What’s not to like? Go, Dems.

Marjorie Goodloe
Hawaii Kai

Show tourists video about isle dangers

We are all aware of the tragedies of lost lives or injuries to those who hike in our island mountains. There are also way too many tourists and locals who are injured or lose their lives swimming.

This is not a novel idea, but the state of Hawaii and the four counties need to collaborate to develop a video pointing out the steps that need to be taken when people venture into these dangerous activities.

The video should be shown on all passenger flights coming to Hawaii along with the emergency measures we are all asked to attentively watch. The video also needs wide distribution in the school system. The Hawaii Visitors Bureau may frown on this approach, but something needs to be done.

Harrison Spiegelberg
Manoa

U.S. formed by folks from elsewhere

Members of the anti-immigrant crowd finds themselves in a conundrum when informed that their forefathers arrived here from Europe and had no qualms about deporting the real Native Americans to reservations.

Most of our western states once belonged to a nascent and disorganized Mexico, which was just freeing itself from Spanish domination. Ulysses S. Grant is quoted as saying about the Mexican-American war of 1845-1848: “The occupation, separation, and annexation [of Texas] were … a conspiracy to acquire territory out of which slave states might be formed.”

Many southerners supported the war to expand slavery, led by then-President James K. Polk, a lifelong slaveholder from Tennessee.

Jeff Bigler
Wailuku

Deep ocean water should stay there?

Regarding the recent news about using deep ocean water to produce electricity and air conditioning, was any thought given to what the effects of the discharged and spent heated water would be?

Wouldn’t it contribute to raising ocean water temperatures? As scientists have been saying, a 1- to 2-degree rise in ocean temperature is the cause of El Nino. Once raised, it would take years, if not decades, to recover.

OTEC (Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion) was developed in the mid-1980s; air-conditioning technology even further back when rising ocean temperature and global warming were not a concern.

Being that both generate a lot of heat as a byproduct and result of the size of the systems required, discharging it back into the ocean will only contribute to elevating ocean temperatures. So why are we even pursuing or considering these?

Alan Yagi
Aiea

Make firm replace high-rise windows

Gov. “New Day,” er, Neil Abercrombie, allegedly encouraged one of his aides to persuade the state Department of Transportation to keep on paying millions of dollars to a computer contractor for a system that doesn’t work (“Firm fraudulent, state says,” Star-Advertiser, Sept. 3).

So now the state is suing to recover at least some of the money.

Then there is the condo project in Kakaako with glass at a reflecting level above what the rules allow and significantly annoys nearby property owners.

The Hawaii Community Development Authority is trying to decide what to do.

The answer is plain as day: Make the developer change the glass to comply with the rules.

Jim Pollock
Kaneohe

Spend tax funds on overheated students

Students (and teachers) are almost passing out due to the recent heat and humidity (Teacher treated for heat exhaustion,” Star-Advertiser, Sept. 3).

This is due, of course, to no air conditioning at the schools.

At the same time, we see reports in the newspaper about millions going to waste for a new Department of Transportation computer system, the Hawaii Health Connector spending money like it was going out of style and ongoing mismanagement at the University of Hawaii.

Let’s put our money where it counts: with the students, not the bureaucrats.

Paul Tyksinski
Kailua

Review of obituaries was sad experience

I was reading the Sept. 4 Honolulu Star-Advertiser and looking at the obituaries.

What caught my eye was the fact that 11 people had died with no known survivors — not only that, but no companions or friends or history listed. Also, all were 71 or younger. Often much younger.

It saddened me to think that their lives consisted of a standard four lines in the newspaper when they passed, and so young. Every life matters, and I myself will try harder to get to know a person who appears to have no one. I would encourage everyone to take this approach. It is inconceivable in this day and age with social media we can’t find survivors or friends to mourn and recognize that person’s life.

Chuck Reindollar
Makiki