Apple’s dismissal not private issue

University of Hawaii President David Lassner may have been part of the university community for a long time, but it is obvious he never heard of the "coconut wireless."

Furthermore, this is a public university supported by taxpayers of Hawaii and other places. Lassner is unreasonable to expect to keep personnel matters at that level as a "private issue."

Jessie Weinberger
Ewa Beach

Did punishment fit the crime?

A police officer stops a 52-year-old man in Waikiki for a traffic violation.

The man does not yield and drives off.

The officer shoots and kills the man.

What is wrong with this picture?Am I the only one out there saying this isn’t right? Sure, the driver was wrong, but does the punishment fit the crime?

And this all happened in Waikiki. I’m sure the tourists loved this "Book ’em, Danno" Five-0script.

The Honolulu Police Department may have an image problem, not to mention a huge lawsuit.

So much for aloha on both sides.

Deane Gonzalez
Hawaii Kai

Every vote now extra important

Nowthat the primary election is almost here, let’s hope that Hawaii will lose its distinction as the state with the lowest voter turnout.

I’m ashamed to be a resident of the state where people do not exercise the right to vote that so many have given their lives to protect.

There are so many tight races this time around and every vote is extra important. Let’s hope we improve our average and lose the distinction of being the lowest-voting state.

Roy M. Chee
Moanalua Gardens

Candidates lack detailed plans

As expected, we voters continue to hear about the lofty goals and aspirations from most candidates.

And, why not, since these pronouncements make great sound bites that likely impress many?

However, what is usually lacking is how these candidates propose they will actually achieve their stated goals.Without a specific plan of action, these statements turn out to be empty campaign promises that often disappoint us.

To illustrate, we often hear that a candidate’s highest priority is to preserve and even expand Social Security and Medicare benefits. While a noble goal, it is even more important to hear of the actions needed to ensure the long-term financial viability of these essential programs.

Also popular are promises to expand entitlements or create special programs for the benefit of various constituent groups. But additional resources may not be available without exacerbating our budget deficits and debt.

Kay Kimura
Waialae

Primary restricts votes to parties

I vote that we all boycott the primary election.

I thought that we, as citizens, had the right to vote our choice, but Hawaii discriminates by forcing us to vote within a political party.

The problem with this is many good candidates are ousted in the primary because voters are not allowed to cross party lines.

When are we going to be allowed to exercise our right to vote one’s true choice?

Laura Warren
Wahiawa

Kauai fishpond in serious danger

Recently I was on Kauai for the funeral of my cousin. I wanted to see the Menehune Fish Pond in Niumalu, so we drove to the lookout.

I was shocked. The pond is almost overgrown with mangrove.

As a teenager, I used to spend every other summer on Kauai and stayed in Kipu with my grandparents.

The County of Kauai should enlist the help of various organizations to kokua with the cleanup — or within a few years, the Menehune Fish Pond will no longer exist.

It happened on the island of Lanai, to the Lopa Fish Pond.

Please do something to save Kauai’s Menehune Fish Pond.

Noelani Mahoe
Pauoa