It is an undisputed fact that Honolulu is one of the safest cities in the nation for its size.

The low level of violent crime can be attributed in large part to the leadership at the Honolulu Police Department.

It is, therefore, a mystery to me why the news media in Honolulu continue to vilify the Honolulu chief of police and characterize him as a thorn in the side of our community and law enforcement.

He has been charged with nothing, yet the news media continue to discredit him with innuendo and guilt by association.

The two major media organizations in town appear to harbor a thinly disguised agenda to see the chief removed. They are guilty of exercising shameless journalistic extortion in their unrelenting vitriolic attacks on a chief with a sterling record.

Ray Downing

Kaneohe

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State’s promotion of hunting disturbing

A recent note in the Star-Advertiser revealed a frightening and disgusting illustration of a state agency gone rogue (“Stamp will honor hunting in Hawaii,” Star-Advertiser, Off The News, Dec. 24).

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife promotes the “Hawaii Wildlife Conservation and Game Bird Stamp” to portray the hunting and killing of Hawaii’s wild animals as “a great activity for the whole family.”

Apparently, the brutal slaughter of innocent creatures is how DLNR views a conservation stamp. Its depiction of hunting as great for families must be one of the most misguided policy deviations ever seen in Hawaii by a government agency.

I urge all animal lovers to call the Division of Forestry and Wildlife and DLNR to protest such indiscriminate killing of innocent animals in the name of family fun.

Joel Fischer

Waialae-Kahala

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Clinton’s opponents exaggerate Benghazi

The Benghazi controversy was totally made up (“Benghazi, health care cost Clinton,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Dec. 22).

Yes, soldiers leave no man behind. Benghazi was not war. Ambassador Christopher Stevens was doing his diplomatic job when he was killed. He knew the militia leaders in the region. Perhaps they did not know that he was there when they attacked. He died of smoke inhalation.

Misunderstanding happens when statements are taken out of context.

Hillary Clinton’s statement begins, “Was it because of a protest or was it because of guys out for a walk one night who decided that they’d go kill some Americans? What difference at this point does it make? It is our job to figure out what happened …”

Context makes a difference. Clinton lost because she made the election all about Donald Trump, pure and simple.

Melvin Sakamoto

Palolo

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Restaurant sign height of hypocrisy

It is amazing to me that there has not been a discrimination lawsuit filed against this establishment (“Restaurant shuns Trump supporters,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 28; “Restaurant removes anti-Trump sign,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 29).

The statement posted on the door was the height of hypocrisy, recalling the recent lawsuits such as the ones against establishments that wouldn’t bake wedding cakes for homosexuals.

The sign on the door read, “If you voted for Trump, you can not eat here! No Nazis.” The restaurant’s owner said he was not trying to turn away Trump supporters. Really? Just what was he trying to say, then?

He also said that Trump supporters who did come in might find an unwelcome environment. Who’s the “Nazi” here? Something to think about.

Alice Abellanida

Ewa Beach

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Parker’s comments unfair to Trump

Kathleen Parker’s recent column was unfair to our president-elect, Donald Trump (“Congratulations on entering hell, Mr. Trump,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 21).

All Trump has done is tweet his ideas and make appointments to his Cabinet that still need to be approved by Congress.

Yet she writes, “You may have missed the coincidence, but the very day that the Electoral College officially affirmed your victory, the world exploded.”

Excuse me, but last I heard Barack Obama is still the president of the United States. And he now is on Oahu playing golf and clogging up our roadways with his entourage.

This is the kind of journalism that we conservatives find so upsetting. And I am not a Republican.

Mike Wong

Kailua

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Suspect should have been restrained

The Christmas Day shooting at Ala Moana Center was a sad but preventable crime (“Coach confirms shooting victim’s ID,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 28).

The alleged shooter was out on bond for a Dec. 5 incident in which he attempted to flee from police while in possession of a firearm. Less than a week after his appearance in court, where he was placed under restrictions that prevented him from possessing a firearm, he allegedly used a gun to shoot a person in the back of the head.

Why this person was not under house arrest with ankle monitoring is on the court and the prosecutor’s office. It is time that law enforcement take gun crimes seriously.

Rod Bridgers

Downtown Honolulu

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American got help in Japan after war

Like many I watched the ceremony at the Pearl Harbor on Tuesday (“Reconciliation,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 28). I thought it was long overdue but well done.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that it was America that fed and provided needed essentials to devastated Japanese who were devoid of most everything.

I know. I was an American citizen born in Yokohama in 1937. I lived in and around Yokohama and Tokyo throughout World War II.

One day around 1946, a huge box arrived from America for students, Japanese and other nationals. As the prime minister said, help came from America.

Since I was American, I was invited to pick something first. I chose a Joe Palooka sweatshirt. I didn’t know Joe Palooka, but he soon became my idol.

Joseph and Marge Hale

Aiea