Obama library here would be a burden

Which clowns and what idiots want the Obama library to be built in Hawaii? Let Chicago build it.

I imagine the library will have fans, air conditioning and more, using state funds — not 100 percent, but still using state funds. Do they think members of the public are fools?

The upkeep itself will be expensive. As time goes by, the state will have to carry the burden with no federal help. Like everything else, the U.S. government will say it’s the state’s responsibility.

The state hospital system is going to the dogs. The state highways need improvement and repair work. The state parks need upgrades and better restrooms. The schools are neglected. Some schools really need the maintenance and there are no fans or air conditioners in the rooms.

Use the state funds where they are needed. Let Chicago build the library.

Namaka B. Pontis
Kailua-Kona

HECO should wean itself from oil, coal

No matter what Hawaiian Electric Co. does, its power-generating mode is obsolete.

Fossil fuels and transportation costs are eating its profits.

Here in Hawaii we are blessed with abundant sunshine. Sun power. Why doesn’t HECO convert to solar panels like its wise, green, conscientious customers? HECO could wean itself from coal, oil and gas as it gradually installs photovoltaic panels at its own power plants.

Honolulu is the leader for solar panels installation. We could probably be 99 percent dependent on sun power and wind power if permitted.

This is the best thing not only for Hawaii but for our planet as well. This becomes more critical with global warming.

Another compelling reason: People will install photovoltaic panels and batteries of their own without going on HECO’s grid. This will be the end of HECO.

HECO should install sun power now before it’s too late.

Robert Y. Abe
Waipahu

Leadership needed to fix mess we’re in

Our state is in a quagmire.

Our university is operating with a deficit of millions. Our public schools lack proper funding. Roads are being fixed at a rate never before seen in spite of our financial crisis. Condominiums are popping up in Honolulu with little aesthetic sense or environmental planning. A rail is being built and its cost seems to keep ballooning. Our Hawaiian homesteads department hasn’t been keeping up with the properties and usage of its homes and lands. Our human services department keeps doling out more assistance and those wise to the system keep having more children — not to mention the homeless transplants that cost the state millions.

We can’t allow all of the above to continue with no regard for the overall negative impact that it will have on our finances and value of our beautiful state. We need leadership that will fix the mess we’re in.

Frances Nakaoka
Pearl City

GMO debate hurt by misinformation

It is disappointing to keep hearing the same myths and misinformation about GMO crops being repeated over and over.

For example, Autumn Ness states that the GMO varieties being tested in Maui were developed to increase their tolerance to "pesticides" ("Maui initiative about health and safety," Star Advertiser, Letters, Oct. 13).

Most GMO varieties belong to two main classes:those that are immune to Roundup (an herbicide) or those developed to be resistant to certain insect pests or viruses.

Pesticides are compounds that are toxic to pests and they can be toxic to humans and wildlife. The fact is that after the introduction of pest-resistant GMO crops, the use of pesticides worldwide has dropped considerably.

For a non-political discussion, I recommend the GMO review article in the September 2013 issue of Scientific American and the article on the New Green Revolution in the October 2014 issue of National Geographic.

Adrienne Dey
Hilo

Hawaii being ruined by too many people

The publicity regarding the homeless should be a big concern for the people of Hawaii.

It’s time to shift our way of thinking.

We are an island with limited resources and we have to control the number of people coming to Hawaii.

This is not a new idea.

Suppose 15 million people decide to come to Hawaii. What kind of strain that would put on our food supply, parks, beaches and housing? It would affect the quality of life for every resident.

Controlling in-migration is impossible with present federal laws.

Nearly 1 in 4 Americans is so fed up with Washington that they would favor their state breaking away from the United States ("Almost a quarter of Americans back secession, poll finds," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 20).

For us who choose to live in Hawaii, we need to take care of our island community. It is everybody’s responsibility. When is enough enough?

Johnny Verzon
Koko Head Terrace

Keep government and religion apart

The recent article by Derrick DePledge was quite enlightening ("Aiona campaign aims to win religious voters," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 12).

Hawaii voters need to be wary of this particular relationship between religion and government.

Elected officials who represent the interests of conservative Christians could not only establish public policy that would deny civil rights to some citizens but also lead us toward becoming a Christian state which, from my perspective, would be contrary to an appropriate relationship.

We are a country of many faiths and innumerable interpretations of faith and they each merit respect and acceptance.

More important, the impact they might have on public policy needs to be carefully discerned in the voting booth.

I appreciate information about every candidates’ religious beliefs and will vote accordingly.

John Heidel
Kailua