Hanohano rant was big setback

It is so disturbing to read such bigoted, ignorant rubbish spewed by state Rep. Hanohano in 2013 ("House member insults ethnic groups," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 28).

Her use of those outdated, stupid racial slurs has no place in multi-ethnic Hawaii, least of all in America.She alone has set back by at least 100 years all that every single person who has fought or died mightily for — not only racial equality, but racial harmony.

Most of all, she does not speak for us Native Hawaiians.It is not pono for Hawaiians to speak the way she has. Further, she has managed to insult practically all of us, because we are all part of the races she has so callously disparaged.I dare say, if her kupuna were still alive, they’d do what all Hawaiians would do in this instance: Slap her upside her head!

Rosina Moanauli Valencia
Mililani

Remarks weren’t offensive to all

It’s easy to be offended by state Rep. Faye Hanohano’s recent remarks.

Sure, as a public official it wasn’t wise. However, as a Native Hawaiian she has seen the lands of her ancestors stolen and desecrated, her people murdered and stripped of their culture, here in this land in which she still lives. I’m not sure how long it takes to "get over it." So I give her a free pass on this one.

I belong to one of the groups she mentioned, and took no offense. I get it.

Mark Ida
Salt Lake

Racist comments were demeaning

Regarding the comments by state Rep. Faye Hanohano: As a Native Hawaiian, I feel she demeans us all.

Is she just representing Hawaiians?

So much for the "melting pot."

So her ohana, immediate and extended, is just Hawaiian? No other nationality?

It’s sad, but racism is racism, no matter what ethnicity.

Annette Spinaio
Kailua

Red-light cams could aid safety

Two letters opposed to red-light cameras argue it would be less objectionable (and less costly — give me a break) to put a police officer at each intersection, lest the owner of a vehicle, who is not the driver, gets the citation.

Is it not better to know that those to whom you lend your car are running red lights and risking lives and your vehicle, than to find out that there has been a crash involving someone you thought you could trust, who injured himself and/or someone else — not to mention smashing your vehicle?

Let the police chase real crooks and let the cameras keep us and our streets a bit safer.

Elbridge W. Smith
Kailua

Improve climate for isle business

What on Earth makes Gov. Neil Abercrombie think he is qualified or has the right to invest money that was extracted from the pockets of hard-working Hawaii taxpayers in high-risk entrepreneurial start-up businesses ("Abercrombie wants to give $20 million to business entrepreneurs," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 25).

As far as l know, he has never run a business and has spent most of his working life as a public servant.

If he wants to make these kinds of high-risk investments, he should use his own money.

If he is really interested in attracting new businesses to our shores, he should do something about our state’s dismal record for having a business-friendly environment.

Among other studies, CNN Money Poll rated Hawaii as being No. 3 out of five of the least friendly states for small business.

Pete Barrett
Kaneohe

Tesoro closure seems unneeded

It will be bad news for the communities in the vicinity of Ewa Beach and Kapolei if Tesoro follows up on its January announcement that it will close its refinery there, turn it into a terminal, and lay off the vast majority of the 250 local people who work for the company there.

Tesoro is doing this even though its own financial reports say the refinery is making money and that Hawaii is one of its lowest-cost units.

Patricia M. Koge
Mililani