Kudos to so many for helping to create the first urban park in Waikiki in a generation — Centennial Park (“Neighborhood park a long time coming,” Star-Advertiser, July 20).
Nestled in a quiet residential area, this urban oasis is ideal.
And after years of use as a staging area for all the construction projects going up as part of the Waikiki renaissance, the neighbors will now benefit from a great public-private effort of the Rotary Club of Honolulu, the city and dedicated community leaders.
Taking the best elements of urban park design, this green space will be secured at night to prevent crime and homeless encampments, ensuring its enjoyment for all members of our community, from kupuna, keiki, millennials and visitors alike.
As the demand for vibrant urban, walkable neighborhoods increases, there will be more demand for these human-scaled parks.
They increase property values, provide greenery to reduce the heat-island effect and create common space for neighborly interactions.
Jeff Merz
Waikiki
Hawaii was wise to reject NextEra
Congratulations to Hawaii for rejecting the overture by NextEra Energy to buy Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. (“No deal,” Star-Advertiser, July 16).
Recently I attended a rate-hike meeting in Miami, as required by Florida law, for Florida Power & Light, a subsidary of NextEra.
Usually rate increases are rubber-stamped by Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC).
This request was for a 23.7 percent increase.
Most of the citizens who spoke were opposed to the increase. The public schools would not be able to fund teaching positions;public health providers would employ fewer nurses; county government would have to pay higher electric bills, reducing services to the community.
Perhaps the voices of the people have been heard and NextEra will not get the rate hike it wants.
Kris Miles
Miami
Kudos for article on conservation
Mahalo for Nina Wu’s thoughtful feature describing the contributions of University of Hawaii law students in developing motions for consideration at the World Conservation Congress in Hawaii this year (“Conservation summit considers motions proposed by law students,” Star-Advertiser, July 10).
Kua‘aina Ulu ‘Auamo is hosting a pre-conference convening of indigenous groups from around the world that are working on conservation issues.
Judging from the response, we anticipate a rich sharing of how ancestral knowledge and practices are being applied to today’s challenges.
It was good to see the Star-Advertiser devote attention to this upcoming event, which has the potential to improve the quality of life here and around our hurting planet.
From declining fish stocks to ocean pollution and invasive species, there is much we need to do collaboratively.
The good news is we are making progress.
One example is the state Board of Land and Natural Resources’ adoption of rules developed by the Haena and Kaupulehu communities to restore dwindling fish populations.
Kevin Chang
Executive director, Kua‘aina Ulu ‘Auamo
Does beauty trump the truth?
Newt Gingrich has let us know that the Trump campaign has very strict standards of behavior.
He said that there is nothing wrong with Melania Trump plagiarizing Michelle Obama in her speech this week because Melania “is stunningly attractive” and “speaks five languages.”
I’m not stunningly attractive, but I speak more than five languages.
Does that mean I can now plagiarize with impunity?
Or is the beauty thing a deal breaker?
Andrew Thomas
Manoa
Clinton seems to be shameless
It is beyond doubt that Hillary Clinton has boldly lied to the American people, not once, but many times.
Her lies about her email server are legion. She shamefully lied to the grieving families of those who died in Benghazi.
Her lies were self-serving, and she is unrepentant.
She has proven herself to be dishonest and untrustworthy, yet she defiantly continues to run for the presidency of the United States.
That we have been deceived by her repeated lies, shame on her.
If we put her into the White House, shame on our nation.
Nelson S.W. Chang
Kaneohe
