Readers of the Star-Advertiser’s online edition can respond to stories posted there. The following are some of those. Instead of names, pseudonyms are generally used online. They have been removed.
"Archery range in Kapolei cleaned up after vandalism," Star-Advertiser, Jan. 7:
» I don’t understand why some want to destroy property, whether public or private.
» They want room and board in OCCC.
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"Kawainui Marsh restoration will be completed in weeks," Star-Advertiser, Jan. 7:
» Awesome. I remember in my kid days when we would always pass it on the Pali Highway. It was a nasty area and smelled real hauna!
» Congratulations to Dr. Chuck Makawalu Burrows, who has spent decades leading community groups to restore not only Kawainui but also Na Pohaku o Hauwahine at one side of the marsh and also Ulupo Heiau very nearby.
» Millions of dollars spent for 150 ducks! That money could have been used to build a road along the northeast edge of the swamp where the Corps of Engineers has the flood-control dike between Kailua Road and Mokapu Boulevard, and makes the lives of 10,000 Kailua residents better by being able to enjoy the scenery of the swamp as it cuts 20 minutes off the commute time on Oneawa Street.
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"Kaiser premiums jump 9.7 percent," Star-Advertiser, Jan. 8:
» Does anyone else see what happened? By already implementing the rate increase, prior to approval, HMSA is basically giving itself an interest-free loan. This should not be allowed by the state Insurance Division. Insurance carriers should be mandated to wait until a determination is made prior to adjusting any rates.
» All you have to do is take a look at the people who populate the emergency waiting room: Many are there because bad laws say they have a right to be treated without having insurance and without having to pay anything back. We, the dues-paying members, pay for their treatment and that is one reason for premiums going up so much. So don’t blame the insurance carrier.
» I thought Obamacare was supposed to solve this problem. I’m shocked!
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"Isle beaches get top ratings," Star-Advertiser, Jan. 8:
» Those are really good choices, but maybe we don’t want the publicity.
» Great news about something most people already knew.
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"Te’o and Irish could not give superior ‘Bama a good fight," Star-Advertiser, Jan. 8:
» Notre Dame didn’t belong in the BCS Championship game. It is obvious that Notre Dame was way overrated during the season. Under the rules of the NCAA, Notre Dame gets a pass to be in the BCS Championship game even though it is not in any conference. The outcome of this game was seen before the game.
» Not only was Notre Dame overrated, Manti "No Show" Te’o was as well. When you play a cupcake schedule, it’s pretty easy to look good, but Alabama put him in his place. He’ll probably be a first-round pick, but will end up fizzling out.
» I was thinking the same thing and comparing Notre Dame to the University of Hawaii in the 2008 Sugar Bowl.
» Alabama’s superior talent made Te’o appear to have an off game. Te’o did the best he could and made Hawaii proud.
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"New mayor fixes a pothole to affirm campaign pledge," Star-Advertiser, Jan. 10:
» Filling potholes is like putting Band-Aids on hemorrhages. It might look good for a few months, but the potholes will recur in the same spot until the real problem is addressed, that being the crumbling base on which the top asphalt layer is placed. Unfortunately, the city can’t afford to do that, so living with potholes has been and will continue to be the norm.
» If they would take the time to prepare the fix, use the right materials for the fix and have workers who really want to fix the pothole problem, this would not be a problem. The way potholes are fixed in Hawaii, it’s job security for the workers.
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"Preschool program would close readiness gap, governor says," Star-Advertiser, Jan. 10:
» The governor is so right: Students who are behind in kindergarten rarely fully catch up. Truth is, most not attending preschool are low-income kids who are doomed to be slotted to oblivion. Hawaii should have had state-funded voluntary pre-K decades ago.
» Even with a preschool program, there will be a gap. Kids who have parents that cared and taught them basics will be ahead of those who were taught nothing at home. Until parents step up, and there will always be the gap.
» More staff, bigger budget, questionable expectations.
