Pro golfer’s story sounds a bit fishy

We still don’t know the truth, but the talk around town is that Australian pro golfer Robert Allenby’s story is not quite as he first claimed — that he was kidnapped, beat up, robbed and thrown out of a car ("Witness: golfer passed out, hurt self after strip bar trip," Star-Advertiser, Jan. 21).

I think any violence against anyone, especially a visitor, is terrible, but his story sounds odd. My old landlord’s husband used to use that same excuse when he spent too much money at the strip joints and was going to get busted.

If Allenby’s story is true, I apologize as a citizen of Hawaii. If it is not true, Allenby owes the state of Hawaii an apology.And I hope his apology will get as much international media attention as his original allegation did.

Lizette Haneberg
Hawaii Kai

Military helicopters risky to those below

Please ask the military why it has to continually fly big, noisy helicopters over downtown Honolulu, Waikiki, Kaimuki and Hawaii Kai.

Helicopters have been known to suffer mechanical problems and fall from the sky with some regularity. If this were to happen over one of our metropolitan areas, there would be huge loss of life and injury. Even the slightest risk of such an accident seems wholly unnecessary.

Can’t they fly out over the ocean?

Robert Rau
Wilhelmina Rise

Brain drain applies to not just young

Hawaii’s loss is Illinois’ gain in the departure of former Gov. Linda Lingle ("Illinois governor adds Lingle to staff," Star-Advertiser, Jan. 23).

The state’s brain drain does not apply to only young college graduates who choose not to return home. The hostile political environment is depleting seasoned, wise civic leaders as well. Mufi Hannemann comes to mind.

Lingle is an honest-to-goodness decent and honorable person.She is also highly intelligent and dedicated to public service.Erroneously, Hawaii let the political events of her term define the stateswoman.She seemed to have a clear vision of transforming Hawaii’s economy. But the dream was clouded by an atmosphere of tunnel vision here.

Vernetta A. Hall
Laie

Senior exemption needs to be raised

When property values were low decades ago, a $120,000 property tax exemption for seniors was great. But now with property value close to $1 million for many of us, a $120,000 exemption is peanuts.

When will our politicians raise this exemption? We seniors on fixed income are suffering badly.

Ray Horita
Palolo Valley

Chickens coming home to roost?

The recent disclosure by the rail system about a cost deficit reminds me of a famous quotation: "Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive."

Mel Rodenhurst
Kailua

HTC board needs to pursue donors

Hawaii is ranked No. 4 in the United States in millionaires per capita. More than 7 percent of Hawaii’s residents fall into that category.

Yet the Hawaii Theatre Center is firing two key staff members in its production team because of red ink ("Hawaii Theatre losing 2 staff members to red ink," Star-Advertiser, Jan. 23).

Expect more dark nights as a result of this unfortunate decision.

Apparently the board of directors cannot identify the roughly 80,000 resident millionaires, let alone those with fewer assets who are potential donors. If anyone should be let go, it is the board, which ignored the red ink for five years, and the fundraising staff — not those who bring funds into the house by producing shows and renting space to others.

Theatre President Ruth Bolan can save money by moving her administrative staff from plush offices at 1132 Bishop St. to theater property on Bethel Street, where it once was housed.

Lynne Matusow
Downtown Honolulu

Not all customers of HECO are equal

In the Star-Advertiser article, "Legislators want power to sway HECO decision" (Jan. 21), a comment reveals the hidden action of Hawaiian Electric Co. of which many people probably are unaware.

In 2014, non-solar customers paid an additional $53 million in operation and maintenance costs to "compensate for the low electricity bills of solar customers."

In other words, HECO is taking from Peter to pay Paul.

Most customers probably do not notice thishidden extra cost to customers that HECO is charging non-solar customers to compensate for the solar customers.

John P. Gallagher
Ewa Beach

Maybe HEI honcho could donate bonus

What if the CEO of Hawaiian Electric Industries gave her $10 million windfall to the residents of Oahu?

How many could buy solar power and how "green" would that make our island?

Mary Moore
Kailua