Gov. David Ige’s support for Early College is a game changer for public education. Dual credit allows state public high school students to take classes to satisfy both high school and college credits at the University of Hawaii. The Early College program has expanded to 12 high schools in 2014, with many more offering Early College courses for the school year 2017-2019.

Hawaii’s public school graduates have made steady and significant improvements in college and career readiness. As more students across Hawaii take advantage of this exciting educational opportunity, an increase in graduation rates, improvement in college enrollment rates, and an increase in students participating in Advanced Placement exams should follow.

Sherry Abe

Mililani

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Wa‘a on Lanikai Beach aren’t boats

Those “boats” on Lanikai Beach have been there longer than the people complaining about them (“State might impound 90 vessels on Lanikai Beach,” Star-Advertiser, June 16).

And wa‘a are not boats or vessels, so the notice to vacate that was left on all watercraft should not include wa‘a, as they are not required to be registered with the state.

But looking down the road, I see the state requiring us to register our wa‘a and collecting money. Just like the mopeds, and on another page, the Waikiki beach boys, aloha to the aloha.

Jay Atkins

Kailua

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People must adapt to Spectrum changes

I commend Spectrum for coercing its customers to get HDTV boxes or else lose cable reception entirely. That pushed thousands of people to digitize, even seniors who mobbed Spectrum’s offices or called for help.

Customer service told them to keep unplugging and replugging things, sending them back and forth between rooms or upstairs to their TVs. This rarely worked, so technicians visited and berated their old houses or cables that provided insufficient juice for the new boxes, so rewiring projects were needed.

Some channels that customers used to get in their packages, such as Sci Fi, CNN or even TCM, were no longer included in their packages, but they could just pay extra to get them again. Meanwhile, people explored alternatives, from other providers to Roku devices (which sold out at Target).

So thank you, Spectrum, for forcing us to upgrade our TV technology, if not our peace of mind.

David Chappell

Kaneohe

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Migrants flee woes America caused

To solve a problem, one must get to the root cause. Why are Latin Americans illegally entering the U.S.? Why are they leaving their country?

Guess what: America is the problem.

Roque Planac, editor of Latino Voices, wrote on Huffpost, “But the truth is that the U.S. government has historically made life in Latin America harder by overthrowing democratically elected governments, financing atrocities and pushing trade policies that undermine Latin American industries, dealing blows to local economies.” Not to mention America’s drug addiction, which gave rise to the cartels and the atrocities they cause.

The immigrants come to the one country that has caused them many hardships. However, America refuses them entry and considers them criminals.

Does this define madness? Insanity? Or both?

Robert K. Soberano

Moiliili

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Speak out against Trump & Friends

President Donald Trump is right: We’ve let gangs into America and if we don’t do something they’ll take over our country.

They kidnap children, mock disabled people, pollute our air and water, oppose a free press by calling reports that differ from or criticize their party line “fake news,” lie with a straight face, love power, enrich themselves, insult global allies, idolize gang leaders who are tyrants and murderers, exclude anyone not like themselves.

The name of this gang: Trump & Friends.

There’s a reason Pastor Martin Niemöller’s words resonate today — just fill in the blanks: “First they came for the Socialists and I did not speak out — Because I was not a Socialist …Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.”

We’re still a democracy. Speak out.

Judith Goldman

Ala Moana

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News cycle spins with latest issue

How mighty is the hand that, with a mindless tweet and emblazoned signature on a meaningless document, define the content of each news cycle.

Before it was gun control, then trade. Now, with a jagged signature from this hand held pompously in front of cameras for all the world to see, a new cycle is set spinning.

Immigration is now set spinning on center stage. Old issues like gun control disappear completely from the forum and are heard no more.

How convenient for his majesty that only one issue at a time is necessary to send all the hounds howling away in a new direction.

Arthur Mersereau

Manoa

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Veteran will stand for the flag, anthem

I was a lowly infantry sergeant who fought in Korea and Vietnam, but I will never kneel with the NFL protesters. I never thought I would see the day that a soldier, Kenneth Link, would happily kneel with the protesters who are disrespecting our flag and national anthem (“Taking knee doesn’t disrespect anthem,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, June 12).

There are many other venues they can use to protest.

I can’t believe Link said the protesters are better patriots than the president. Do some research and see what the president has done for the country: low unemployment for blacks and minorities, 3 million new jobs, consumer confidence up, stocks up, wages up, plus the Korean summit.

You can knee with your NFL protesters. I will stand for the flag.

James Kaleohano

Waianae