Better training needed for officers

As former military police in the U.S. Army, I saw what happened in Dallas and I’m angered and saddened. It seemed more like a scene out of Iraq.

Every day, men and women put on that badge and patrol the streets, all in the name of protecting citizens. They run toward danger so that others can escape.

One of our fears in Iraq was always the buildings surrounding us and whether or not someone was targeting us from above. Now we see this same tactic being used on our streets.

I understand the anger of citizens when irresponsible police officers take the lives of the innocent. There is a need for officers to have more training in rules of engagement and escalation of force. In Iraq, we had to abide by strict rules and were punished if we failed to do so.

Much aloha to those who represent the Thin Blue Line.

James Logue

Chinatown

A new mantra for campers in Hawaii

About your article on the trash left at Makua Beach over the Fourth of July weekend (“Campers trashing Makua, state says,” Star-Advertiser, July 6): Hikers have always had the mantra, “pack in, pack out” in regard to keeping areas pristine after enjoying them.

Maybe we need to start a new campaign mantra — “camp out, carry out” — to encourage weekend campers to take their trash out with them when they leave any of our beautiful beach areas.

Diane Harding

Kailua

Use energy program for other purposes

Where do I apply?

The state’s renewable energy loan program is an amazing piece of financial craftsmanship (“Solar loan program wastes millions,” Star-Advertiser, July 10).

Imagine a company that pays consultants and executives thousands of dollars a month to manage loans few are interested in. Let’s see, 12 installations and $385,000 loaned at a cost of $21.5 million means it cost taxpayers about $55 for every dollar loaned.

Wait, there’s more: The bonds securing this state-run program must be paid back, with interest. The good news is that the majority of the money provided by the bonds hasn’t been spent yet — and there is the problem or the opportunity.

How to spend this money? A study or two? New consultants? A task force?

There must be other worthy ideas that could use this money. Could it be used to fund an energy-efficient, solar-collecting Natatorium to heat water for the showers?

Greg Schmidt

Hawaii Kai

Solar program just a government swindle

Regarding the “Green Infrastructure Fee” we’ve been paying on our electric bills, the latest disclosures are beyond belief.

The state has spent $9,870,000 to administer this rooftop solar program by a director who receives a salary of $138,000, who in turn is supported by a staff costing $414,000 annually. The result is the installation of only 12 rooftop units.

This is taxpayer theft on a grand scale. Less than 4 percent went for its intended use.

The rest was soaked up by banks, attorneys, accountants, rating agencies, electric utilities, executive directors and others hiding behind this government swindle. Added to this are the costs passed on to us by Hawaiian Electric.

This is just another example of government decisions and policies that were not properly thought through. The Honolulu Convention Center and the rail to who-knows-where come to mind.

Wakefield Ward

Kuliouou

Protect zoning from vacation rentals

Apparently, Rob Burns does not understand that the issue is not to destroy private property rights, but rather to keep zoning from being destroyed (“Vacation rentals should be legal property use,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, July 9).

If he wants to rent his private property to tourists, he should purchase a home in a resort- zoned area rather than an area zoned residential.

I’m not certain who “they” might be who “bamboozled the people of Hawaii … with the rail transit project,” but I can assure him I was very outspoken in my opposition to the rail project just as I am in my opposition to turning residential neighborhoods into illegal tourist rentals. Preserve zoning.

Barbara Krasniewski

Kailua

Government is not a for-profit business

The idea that it takes a business executive to run government is preposterous — particularly one as dangerous as Donald Trump, who has used bankruptcy numerous times. Yes, we know, it is legal and part of the system, but it still leaves a trail of broken lives.

The very government Trump disdains is what made his father a very rich man by his masterful use of the Federal Housing Administration, which gave him millions in government largess.

Government is not there to make a profit and the schools are not a “market.” Government is there to provide services for the people and to do all in its power to advance society.

We lag decades behind most of the modern world in health care for our citizens and having our students burdened with thousands of dollars in debt. The next president needs to attend to these things and modernize our failing infrastructure.

What we need is a compassionate leader.

James Quimby

Kamehameha Heights