Use asset forfeiture against DUI convicts

I read with interest that the owner of a vehicle involved in criminal activity can have his vehicle forfeited under the Hawaii civil asset forfeiture program even if the owner was not directly involved in the criminal activity (“Policing for profit,” Star-Advertiser, Sept. 4).

The incident described was a car break-in. Why not expand the same asset forfeiture program to all vehicles involved in a DUI conviction? I am much more concerned about being hit by a drunken driver as a pedestrian or while driving a vehicle than having someone break into my car.

Expanding the program would very likely be a big deterrent to those who were considering taking a chance and driving under the influence or letting someone else who is intoxicated use their vehicle.

Knowing that your vehicle would automatically be forfeited if caught and convicted of driving under the influence would very likely reduce the number of annual DUI incidents and make our streets safer.

Ron Miller

Waimanalo

Hawaii needs totally clean energy fuels

Our hats off to Blue Planet Foundation’s Jeff Mikulina.

In his commentary piece, Mikulina provides inspirational examples of global islands that cleverly implemented clean energy solutions (“We can’t rely on old utility models to enable future energy solutions,” Island Voices, Star-Advertiser, Sept. 4).

These islands built energy systems around renewable natural resources that they possess, including solar, hydroelectric, wind, geothermal and even coconut oil to fuel backup generators.

Mikulina and state Rep. Chris Lee can provide the forward thinking Hawaii needs to replace Hawaiian Electric Industries’ old-school thinking and antiquated energy models.

They can provide the critical leadership needed to end our fossil fuel dependence, especially when we are so richly blessed with abundant solar, wind, wave and geothermal resources.

Hawaii needs to move on, as others have — into totally clean energy solutions.

Ed Uchida

Hawaii Kai

Chinese coal bases are threat to climate

China is erecting 16 industrial coal bases in remote areas that are producing liquid fuels, chemicals, power and “syngas,” which is like natural gas but extracted out of coal.

According to the Pulitzer Prize-winning Inside Climate News, the Ningdong Energy & Chemical Industry Base in Ningxia is nearly 400 square miles, about the size of Los Angeles.

The Shaanbei base in Shaanxi will span 5,575 square miles.

The carbon footprint of these bases are double that of conventional coal or oil.

The U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s budget on carbon emissions is 880 gigatons. Exceeding the budget would push warming past the 2 degrees Celsius threshold and trigger irreversible climate changes.

As of 2013 the world has consumed 531 gigatons, leaving 349 gigatons. China’s coal bases alone could consume the balance by 2050. Factoring all countries, 2 degrees C will come much sooner.

As U.S. consumers, we help determine carbon emission levels in China.

Dan Nakasone

Wahiawa

Clinton and Trump not only choices

I agree strongly with the letter, “Voting third party better than no vote,” (Sta-Advertisr, Sept. 5).

There has been some media coverage of Gary Johnson, the Libertarian Party candidate, and Jill Stein, of the Green Party, on CNN and PBS.

As a 1972 political science graduate of UC Berkeley, I recommend strongly voting for either one. Both are far superior to Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, who arguably comprise the worst major party presidential competing duo in recent political history.

Michael Kappos

Waikiki

Vote for third party will help Trump win

The theory, “Voting third party better than no vote,” is not a good one (Star-Advertiser, Letters, Sept. 5).

Voting third-party is a guarantee for a Donald Trump win.

Remember Florida, Ralph Nader, chads? We ended up with George W. Bush and the Iraq war and the ongoing wars that followed.

Does anyone doubt what kind of war Trump would start with the red phone at his fingertip?

Pat Meyers

Kailua

Raw animal products dangerous to eat

In reference to the curent hepatitis A issue, I wonder why somebody, perhaps the state Health Department, does not point out that eating raw uncooked animal products is dangerous, especially fish, and most especially, bottom-feeding shellfish.

Alvin Murphy

Manoa

Mainland roadways in great condition

I just returned from a trip to the St. Louis and Illinois areas and was amazed at the hundreds of miles of nearly perfect roadway surfaces all over the place, not just freeways.

These roads are subject to heat, rain, snow and hail, yet remain in near-perfect condition.

Why are Hawaii’s roads in such deplorable condition?

Even some of the original brick roads on the mainland were smoother than what we have here.

Those places have similar automobile registration taxes yet way more near-perfect roads. What gives?

Whiting Hyland

Kailua