Letters to the Editor
Cellena article lacked details
The Star-Advertiser reported that HR BioPetroleum will become the sole owner of Cellena by buying out the shares owned by Shell, and that furthermore, Cellena has all the permits needed to produce half of Maui Electric Co.’s fuel in a few years ("Kona algae-energy venture breaks off from partner Shell," Star-Advertiser, Jan. 28).
Not in the story were opposing views or substantive facts. There are no commercial algal biodiesel operations in the world. Cellena cannot sell that fuel to MECO without a Public Utilities Commission-approved contract, which it doesn’t have. MECO can’t unilaterally procure that much fuel without getting competing bids. They must put it out to bid. And why would one of the largest oil companies in the world — Shell — walk away from something of this importance if it were so imminent, so world-altering?
Honolulu
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Time to approve the Dream Act
It is about time Congress pass the immigration Dream Act. Every American is the descendant of immigrants, except Native Americans. Many sons and daughters of immigrants belong to our armed forces, defending our interests and freedom. Yet the way we treat them unfairly insults their status as children of immigrants.
Mililani
No need to have public weigh in
Dave Shapiro’s column advocating public involvement in the selection of judges was way out of line ("Abercrombie shuts out public in judicial selection process," Star-Advertiser, Jan. 26).
If any people think this is a good idea, they should read "The Appeal" by John Grisham, which deals with the pitfalls of having the public elect judges. I am an attorney and I do not get involved in the vetting process unless I know the candidates or have appeared in their courts or the courts they are being considered for.
The selection of judges should be made by those who are well-acquainted with the qualifications of the person and the requirements of the position, and not by those who know little about either.
Kailua
Move peafowl away from city
A few years ago I lived in Palehua, high in the mountains above Makakilo. One of the joys of living there was the abundant bird life, including visits by a flock of peacocks. They enjoyed bringing their chicks to settle in the sun around the house and, of course, relished an occasional handout. They were inspiring creatures.
Wouldn’t relocating these beautiful creatures to the wild make infinitely more sense than the senseless extermination they seem to face in populated areas?
Kapolei
Debt burden here is heavy
The Hawaii debt burden picture ("Hawaii’s debt burden highest in the nation," Star-Advertiser, Jan. 28) is even bleaker when unfunded retirement health benefits are considered.
Hawaii’s liability for unfunded health benefits for retirees (some county, but mostly state) was $9.2 billion as of July 1, 2007, the most recent date for which information has been published. This three-year-old figure is undoubtedly higher today.
The 2007 amount is an additional $7,000 per capita and nearly doubles the $7,987 per capita burden for Hawaii’s residents cited in the article. Unlike most other states, Hawaii’s retirement health benefits are protected from diminution by the state Constitution.
Honolulu
Bangkok wisely built rail system
I recently returned from Bangkok for the first time since I had visited in 1995 — just before construction began on its now famous Skytrain.
This thriving metropolis is a testament to the return on investment derived from a much-needed train system. Considered to have the worst traffic congestion in the world, old Bangkok was mired in pollution and paralysis.
Bangkok’s citizens knew something had to be done, fully understanding that construction was going to make the present situation even worse, but only for a while. This was a long-term investment in their quality of life, as well as that of their children for generations to come.
Traversing this complex city is now much more effortless as its citizenry combines train, bus, auto and even a centuries-old river taxi system to achieve an optimum blend of comfort and efficiency — both in terms of time and usage of natural resources.
Bangkok demonstrates that it is never too late to do the right thing.
Honolulu
