LNG dangerous as a fuel source

The article, "Gas concerns groundless, firm says" (Star-Advertiser, Nov. 5) caught my eye today as serious problems exist with liquid natural gas, from well-head accidents to transfer failures.

LNG is extremely cold, making it nearly impossible to add an odorant, hence impossible for personnel to detect leaks unless they create visible condensation clouds, localized frost forms, or methane gas detectors are present. The difference between the LNG and ambient temperatures creates problems throughout the transport and transfer processes that can lead to explosive results.

Pursuing such a hazardous non-renewable resource does not make sense for Hawaii. We need to get serious about renewable energy sources.

Andrea Wagner
Aina Haina

Build windows for ventilation

Unfortunately, the two designs for the proposed 650-foot high-rise in Kakaako have the same design problem as every other high-rise built in the last decade: They are all designed with windows that barely open.

Since the windows don’t open enough to utilize the natural ventilation provided by the cooling trade winds, most residents keep the windows closed and rely on air conditioning.

Sealed buildings are probably energy efficient in most mainland locations, but Hawaii is located in a tropical zone. Shouldn’t we ask these mainland developers to design buildings that are energy efficient for our climate, buildings that give residents the option of natural versus mechanical air conditioning?

We used to build high-rises with windows that fully opened. If we are serious about energy efficiency and reducing oil consumption, shouldn’t we build them this way again?

Richard Manetta
Honolulu

Ditch editorial endorsements

The "Fourth Estate," meaning the press or newspapers, should be the voice of the people, a watchdog to keep government in check. This is especially true when there is only one major newspaper servicing a state.

On Oahu, where the majority of Hawaii’s population resides, we have one major newspaper, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

This newspaper should refrain from endorsing any candidate running for public office during an election year ("Cast your vote today — unless you already have," Star-Advertiser, Our View, Nov. 6). In doing so, it does a disservice to the public and to its employees, some of whom may want to be affiliated with an opposing candidate. Just report the news. Don’t hype it or slant it with innuendos.

Frank Ohama
McCully

Election flyers serve a purpose

Now that the election is over, I’m not going to miss all the quarrelsome debates and smear ads.

What I am going to miss are those glossy campaign flyers. They’re great for chopping onions and garlic so my cutting board doesn’t get stinky.

I’m also going to miss the chuckles I get every time I hear a candidate say the word "together," as in "Together, we can build a brighter future." I have to laugh because by "together" they mean that Ishould gostand in line at the polls so they can sit in a bright,air conditioned office and draw a fat paycheck for doing very little.

I don’t know if our elected officials will improve our lives in the next four years. But I doknow, from the huge stash of flyers under my kitchen sink, that we will be chopping onions and garlic "together" for quite some time.

Frank Mak
Makiki

Disasters elicit our compassion

Witnessing the devastation on the East Coast and the human suffering caused by Hurricane Sandy, it’s unbelievable that in this day and age, such destruction can occur by Mother Nature here in the land of plenty.

America has always responded to emergencies with aid in the millions to foreign countries worldwide in their time of need. It’s ironic that I have yet to see any significant aid from any foreign country to assist us in our time of need.

We will recover, though, because that is our nature, neighbor helping neighbor.

Hal Omori
Mililani

Home care firm unfair to staff

In strong support of Christine Kaneshiro’s letter, I too had an experience, but with a home care agency ("Hospital treated elderly mom badly," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Nov. 5).

I hired the agency to provide household help to my 91-year-old mom while I went to the mainland for a month. During this time she got sick. The agency immediately raised its hourly billing rate, since instead of household chores, the caregivers were providing personal care.

That seemed reasonable until I asked if the employees were being paid more for the increased services. They weren’t getting a dime more. When I pressed the owner of the agency about why this was happening, I was told that no further services would be provided to my mom by that agency and that their personnel policies were none of my business. When illness is just an excuse used by unscrupulous business people to get more money, that’s just plain wrong.

Peter Barmus
Kailua

Chow misusing tools he has

University of Hawaii football is three and out:

» Three downs and punt.

» Our first string is as good as Fresno’s third string.

» The number of years head coach Norm Chow will coach at UH.

Chow is trying to prove you can’t put a round peg in a square hole. He is trying to run a "pro style" offense with players who were not recruited to run one.

I have had season tickets since 1966 and this is the worst UH team I have ever seen, when you consider offense and defense. Former head coach June Jones realized he would not get the caliber of players to run a pro style, so he ran almost a gimmick-type offense.

In addition, Chow is going to stick with starting quarterback Sean Schroeder. At 1-7, Chow is also going to try and prove that making the same mistakes over and over isn’t stupid, it just leads to losses.

Carl Bergantz
Kaneohe

Shopping center poorly kept up

Hawaii Kai again has become the victim of the loss of Foodland. With the lack of care that is becoming apparent at Hawaii Kai Shopping Center, management should pay better attention to the overgrown lawns, weed-filled planter areas, neglected trash disposal areas and dirty sidewalks, along with a scattering of shopping carts.

Without Foodland, Safeway’s overconfidence has allowed it to become lax in maintaining fully stocked shelves, keeping staff for long periods of time and paying attention to its immediate surroundings.

Hawaii Kai is proud of being a great, attractive place to live. Homeowners take pride in trying to keep their properties in good condition, and we encourage all shopping areas of our community to try to follow the example.

Raymond Gouveia
Hawaii Kai