Justice long overdue for ‘Peter Boy’ Kema

Although I was born and raised on Oahu, I lived and raised my own family on Hawaii island for more than 40 years.

I always believed that the tragic fate of “Peter Boy” Kema, who disappeared in 1997, was due to the abuse and neglect of his parents.

Now, 20 years later, everyone who knew and loved “Peter Boy” can be hopeful that justice will now prevail (“Peter Boy’s mom will testify against his dad,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 2).

There will be no doubts or questions once all the evidence is shown.

Family is what makes Hawaii island, especially Hilo, special to me. In this case, it was especially heartbreaking to imagine what Peter suffered in his six years of life.

I want to thank the law enforcement agencies and attorneys who were involved in not giving up over the years and for their commitment to seek justice for an innocent boy whom we will never know, but will be remembered, as our “Peter Boy.”

Carol A. Alina

Pauoa Valley

Writer’s Breitbart connection troubling

When the Star-Advertiser prints Ben Shapiro’s column, it fails to mention that he is the former editor-at-large of Breitbart News, where Stephen Bannon, President-elect Donald Trump’s chief counselor, previously held the position of executive chairman.

Bannon described Breitbart News as “the platform of the alt right.” Breitbart News has been accused of being anti-Semitic, white nationalist and racist.

In Shapiro’s first column after the presidential election, he called Mitt Romney “perhaps the most decent man to run for president in the past century” (“President-elect has chance to show race-baiting is a sham,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 11). His implicit meaning is that Barack Obama and all the other candidates in the past 100 years are somehow indecent people. He presents a fallacy as fact and proceeds to build yet another fallacious argument.

Just as Trump’s disavowal of white supremacists does not quiet concerns about the Bannon appointment, Shapiro’s recent efforts to distance himself from Breitbart do not quiet concerns. Shapiro is an opportunist seeking to sell his column to more mainstream newspapers. The Star-Advertiser should not buy it.

Leonard Lepine

Kailua

U.S. is a republic, not a democracy

The gentleman from Kauai needs to brush up on his history regarding the election results (“Trump’s mandate: End U.S. war-waging,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Dec 2).

When he writes, “After all, in a true democracy, the majority is supposed to decide on a nation’s future, especially because the United States has been invading and/or bombing countries across three continents in the name of promoting democracy.”

I agree 100 percent with his comments regarding a democracy, which we are not. The United States is a republic, not a democracy.

In a democracy, sovereignty rests with the group. In a republican form of government, the powers of sovereignty are vested in the people and are exercised by the people through representatives chosen by the people, to whom those powers are specially delegated.

Remember the last few words of the Pledge of Allegiance: “ … and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

A huge difference.

Steve Love

Hawaii Kai

Market Place doesn’t reflect true Hawaii

We just returned from our (nearly) annual Hawaii break, and we were saddened by our first view of the new International Market Place.

We consider the people of Hawaii to be the most open and gracious people we know. The new International Market Place does not reflect that. It feels closed and uninviting. With all of the interesting and exciting architecture on Oahu, we expected more thoughtful design for Waikiki natives and visitors.

It is disappointing after so many years of anticipation. It’s doubtful that its completion, or tourist schmaltz, will add any warmth or genuine Hawaiian friendliness.

Don Dirkse

Arroyo Grande, Calif.

Police officers need to check speed, too

In the past week or so, there have been two high-speed vehicular fatalities. In each case, area residents said that speed is always a concern on those particular roadways.

This should not be a surprise, and the Honolulu Police Department is a major contributing factor in these accidents. HPD almost never stops speeders unless they are assigned that particular duty.

One can drive on the freeways on any day and see HPD vehicles driving well over the speed limit. These vehicles are not responding to calls as they are not using lights or sirens. HPD officers should be driving the speed limit at all times unless responding to a call.

If they were to do this, any vehicle passing them would be speeding and should be ticketed. Is it any wonder that so many Hawaii drivers ignore the speed limits when they see HPD vehicles doing the same thing?

Donald Chambers

Mililani

Dowd’s brother says it like it is

I must compliment you on publishing the column by Maureen Dowd, written by her brother, Kevin (“It’s time for liberals to face the reality of Donald Trump,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 29). It summarizes the mood of the country perfectly.

As much as the liberals try to sugarcoat the election, we threw the bums out. President Barack Obama’s legacy is no more. To be sure, Trump has his drawbacks — who doesn’t? — but a change in philosophy was desperately needed.

That this article appeared in the Star-Advertiser is truly a Christmas miracle.

Carl Oettinger

Kailua