With nearly a five-fold increase in bikeways once the Oahu Bike Plan comes to fruition, it’s important that the city proceed cautiously when planning for future bikeways (“Extra scrutiny would stall bikeways, advocates say,” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 11).

The city needs to approach bikeway planning in a holistic manner, and I believe I have a duty to my constituents to improve and enhance the process in which the city designs, implements and constructs bikeways — hence my introduction of Bill 68.

Residents and businesses have contacted me to express their frustration about the King Street Cycle Track and are worried that the same issues that have plagued the implementation of this lane will occur (e.g. general confusion, access/egress issues for motorists, lack of signage).

When the city moves forward with bikeway planning, we need to create a win-win situation for all. I’m a supporter of bikeways and believe that a multimodal city is crucial to the well-being and vibrancy of Honolulu.

Trevor Ozawa
Honolulu City Councilman
District IV (Ala Moana to Hawaii Kai)

Headline seemed to favor Clinton

The Star-Advertiser’s lead page headline announced, “Clinton dominates the stage” (Oct. 14) with a New York Times article by Michael Barbaro and Amy Chozick.

Was this a news story reporting the debate or an editorial on the debate?

I am thankful that intelligent supporters of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders are aware of the political arsenal that Hillary Clinton used during this first Democratic debate, making it appear to the authors of this article that she had the upper hand.

She cracked jokes, evaded answering questions, changed subjects and took more than her allotted time to not answer those questions.

On the other hand, Sanders answered honestly each question that was posed to him without employing a political arsenal. He was gallant and straightforward, wanted to hide nothing and offered solutions. He had the upper hand dominating with truth rather than politics.

Virginia Hayes
Haleiwa

Hawaii lacking a bit in its aloha spirit

Hokule‘a’s oceanic journey is a remarkable feat and intended to spread the aloha spirit.

Although well-intentioned, there is some hypocrisy. We tout the aloha spirit, yet struggle to demonstrate “live aloha.”

At home, we witness the non-aloha attitude toward the homeless, non-aloha abuse of people and pets, non-aloha road rage and non-aloha trashing and pollution of the aina.

The British novelist Arnold Bennett, who wrote “How to Live on 24 Hours a Day,” said: “A life in which conduct does not fairly well accord with principles is a silly life; and that, conduct can only be made to accord with principles by means of daily examination, reflection and resolution.”

Each of us must conscientiously practice “live aloha” in keeping with the wonderful spirit of Hawaii, if we are to preach it abroad.

Alvin Z. Katekaru
Mililani Mauka

Kauai’s mayor using wrong venue

To prevent corruption, politicking and micromanaging by government officials at all county and state levels, police commissions were mandated for each county.

The commissioners are appointed to staggered terms by each mayor. Their primary purpose is to hire the chief of police, and, if need be, discipline or with cause terminate his or her employment. They investigate complaints against officers or the department itself. They make decisions on matters such as the termination of officers.

The present case being adjudicated in Honolulu, pitting Kauai Police Chief Darryl Perry against Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho, should be found in favor of Perry and the Kauai Police Commission.

If Carvalho has a problem with the chief, he should go through the mandated procedures and file a complaint with the commission, let them investigate and let them take action if needed. Ruling in favor of Carvalho would open a Pandora’s box of litigation.

Steven Burke
Pearl City

Ethics Commission misplaced its ethics?

How can the city justify an Ethics Commission that does not act in the best interest of the public (“Ethics Commission clears 3 of wrongdoing in votes taken by Council on rail,” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 15)?

Its recent vote that City Council members did nothing wrong when they accepted “gifts” for their vote on rail proves that this commission is of no value to taxpayers.

Just where was the commissioners’ ethics when they voted on this? They have now set the precedent that the acceptance of gifts, under the table or otherwise, is quite acceptable. This commission and the Honolulu Police Department’s Internal Affairs division now have a lot in common: They do not protect the public from abuse or misconduct.

It would be prudent and cost-effective to disband both of these agencies, as they serve no practical purpose other than to cost taxpayers a great deal of money.

James L. Robinson
Aiea

Put metal detectors at school campuses

We are living in really sad times, when our children seeking an education now have to worry about gunfire, mayhem and death on campuses.

Unfortunately, it is now the day and age to install metal detectors on every single campus, like the airports.

Bernie Mattingly
Mililani