Police misdeeds are disappointing

Many years ago, while I was still a college student, I wanted to join the Honolulu Police Department, but my eyesight was not good enough.

I had intended to be a hero, sacrificing myself for the benefit of the public. I wanted to be the cop who would give his life for the greater good.

All this news out of the mainland regarding unarmed black men killed by white police officers has led me to recall my past ambition.

I deeply regret that these careless police officers do not share the standard of duty that I envisioned for the profession I was unable to join.

I know many police officers are jaded by their thankless job, but I truly believe that a police officer’s personal sacrifice can be— and is — the heroic trait possessed by most of our society’s finest.

Stuart N. Taba
Manoa

Prosecutor tilted cases for accused

The Ferguson, Mo., prosecutor acted more like police officer Darren Wilson’s defense attorney than a prosecutor.

While not using these words, PBS and The New York Times pointed out that Wilson was not cross-examined or challenged during his testimony.

The prosecutor presented witnesses supporting Wilson’s version of events and refuting eyewitness accounts.That’s why the grand jury proceedings took so long.

Your newspaper should present these facts instead of merely reporting the violence resulting from the prosecutor’s actions.

Pearl Johnson
Pauoa Valley

Homelessness fault of illegal aliens

It is commonly thought that homelessness is the result of alcoholism, drug addiction or mental illness.

While many homeless do carry those extra burdens, it is not the cause of their homelessness. There are millionaires who carry those same disorders. Watch the movie, "The Wolf of Wall Street," to see a good example. The problem is citizen homelessness.

Nobody is talking about illegal aliens causing citizen homelessness. The homeless people I speak with are highly intelligent. Many are former military, from a good family, carry a Bible and are avid Christians and patriotic citizens.

When illegals are grabbing all the jobs and housing, sponsored by our government, citizens are being thrown out of their jobs and homes.

Let’s start talking about illegal aliens and not inciting hatred against the homeless. Most people are themselves just one paycheck away from it.

Diane Booth
Kailua

Bike track must cost more than $100K

City officials have stated twice that the cost of the King Street Cycle Track is "less than $100,000" ("City invites cyclists to celebrate lane," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 5).

As someone who travels King Street regularly and has observed the number of city employees who placed the asphalt for the berms (sometimes two or three times at the same location); the crew who patched the poorly placed asphalt; and the painters who painted the lines and berms, installed the plastic delineators and other ancillary items, I’m sure just the cost is well over $500,000 in material, salaries, fringes and more.

This does not take into account the cost of the special-duty police officers, message boards and the preliminary planning and layout prior to the workers showing up to do the actual work.

If the city wants to claim there is no cost associated with its in-house workers, someone needs a reality check — maybe the mayor, who is the champion of the bike projects.

Jeffrey Durham
Kailua

Honolulu becoming more livable city

For the city rated No. 2 for worst traffic in the nation, I am excited about the cars that can stay parked at home while people commute by bike on the King Street Cycle Track.

For the city that, if left on its current path, will see 50 percent of Hawaii’s adults obese by 2030, I welcome this safe way to get free exercise.

For the local businesses that want more customers through their doors, I toast to your future increase in sales from the growing foot traffic the cycle track will bring.

For the elementary, middle and high school students who get driven to school every day, I hope this one cycle track is the start of an entire grid (including sidewalks) that would allow you to commute independently and safely by bike or foot.

This is the path to a more livable city.

Laura Davis
Kaimuki

Age limits should apply to politicians

The most important decisions that affect all of our lives are made by politicians and judges.

After each election, it is sad to see so many old doddering politicians elected over and over again when so many should be enjoying retirement. But they will not give up power.

If we had age limits that anyone had to retire, say at age 70, as is required of judges, it would open up a whole new world for dynamic, intelligent, capable younger people to run for office.

Now it is almost impossible to beat these older incumbents with the money and power behind them when so-called "seniority" is said to be so important.

We are losing our younger talent who have great potential and it is sad, sad, sad for our country.

Airline pilots have age limits and so do judges. Why not politicians?

Margaret M. Giles
Waikiki