Racial disconnect in Ferguson, Mo.

I was the director of a human services agency in Detroit during the 1967 riot. It was intense, but it settled down quickly on the lower east side. However, it continued to smolder for many days on the west side. One of the observable differences was that federal troops, mostly black and well-disciplined, provided law enforcement on the east side. They had an easy rapport with the young people. On the west side, the force was almost entirely white National Guard.

The message: People appear to respond more favorably to those who look like them and who are perceived as understanding them. Capt. Ron Johnson of the Missouri Highway Patrol showed that same potential for resolution in Ferguson, Mo. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough Ron Johnsons to go around.

Sid Rosen
Hawaii Kai

Jay’s comments will hurt recruiting

Given the fact that University of Hawaii-Manoa athletic director Ben Jay mentioned anything about cutting any sports at UH, the damage has been done across the U.S.

Recruits ready to sign, or thinking of signing, with UH will now say the program may not exist in a few years, so why go there?

It was truly wrong, and cannot be taken back.

How will UH get the players we need to help build a winning team after his comments? Auwe. No season tickets for my family.

William T. Pirtle
Waipahu

Hawaiian Air fees hurt local travelers

Bah, humbug to Hawaiian Airlines. Their recent ads on the radio said there would be no change fees for making adjustments to airline reservations during the recent hurricane.

I found out the hard way that it was truly not the case. I had reservations to travel to Kauai for my husband and myself and as the storm approached, we got nervous about traveling and decided to take Hawaiian up on its offer of no change fees. I called and waited for more than an hour to speak to an agent and tried to change to the next weekend.

I found out that the "no change fees" was for travel only through Aug. 12. Otherwise, it would cost me $510 for the round trip for two people. How ridiculous to pay an additional $190 for change fees, as I only paid $160 per person for the original ticket.

If I changed for travel next year, it would cost $200 per person. My only other option was to cancel my travel plans and kiss my island vacation goodbye. Where is all the aloha that Hawaiian Airlines is supposed to have?

Verna Mikaru
Kunia

Call special session to send aid to Puna

It’s very disappointing to learn that residents affected by Tropical Storm Iselle are not receiving the financial assistance that they need.

It makes me wonder why Gov. Neil Abercrombie or our Legislature hasn’t called for a special session to release funds?

Hawaii is one of 34 states where either the governor or the Legislature can call special sessions. We definitely need one now.

Puna residents and businesses are teaming up to help each other. Aloha United Way has always helped out. Our Oahu Interscholastic Association (OIA) has teamed up with our American Red Cross to donate funds for victims of Iselle.

What are Abercrombie and the Legislature waiting for? Funds were snatched in 2011 to balance the budget, so why aren’t the people of Puna placed on the priority list?

Alexis M. Liftee
Nuuanu

Rethink approval of developments

With the public clearly expressing its disdain for Gov. Neil Abercrombie and his vision to develop Kakaako, the new incoming governor, along with the Legislature, would be wise to revisit the development plans currently in place.

They would be even more astute to maintain their distance from developer and construction industry donations and put the community’s voice back into the Hawaii Community Development Authority. The defeats of U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa and state Sens. Clayton Hee and Donna Mercado Kim also suggest that residents have found these established politicians no longer represent their ideas and priorities.

In turn, with the mayoral election on the horizon in two years, Mayor Kirk Caldwell should get his own house in order and rein in his renegade Department of Planning and Permitting by having it actually enforce current building limits. His political future may depend on it.

As a longtime resident who has dolefully watched our recently charmed quality of life plummet with urban congestion at every turn, I, like so many others who lately turned up at the polls, will be watching. And I’ll certainly be voting.

Pat Kelly
Kaimuki

Housing projects not sustainable

On Sunday, a headline says, "Sustainability" (Star-Advertiser, Insight, Aug. 17). On Tuesday, the headline says, "City officials consider Hoopili rezoning plan" (Star-Advertiser, Aug. 19).

Hopefully our city officials won’t ignore the fact that we should strive for sustainability on all of the islands. Covering agricultural land with concrete for homes, commercial buildings and roads does not provide sustainability for anyone other than Texas-based D.R. Horton. Furthermore, where is the water needed for 11,750 homes, five schools and commercial entities?

The construction industry should look at who their architects and supervisors would be. I would not be surprised if many jobs go to imported labor. And once the construction is over, then what? The area is short of water and everyone needs air conditioners because development makes it too hot.

Keep Aloun Farms on agricultural land and send D.R. Horton back to Texas.

Mandy Bowers
Manoa