Mandate 100 percent renewable power

In 2008 our legislators required 40 percent of our power to come from renewable sources by 2030.

They were doing the right thing to reduce local pollution and slow climate change in spite of the cost.

Just seven years later, it is now actually cost-effective to replace imported oil with clean, local energy. Also, we can’t be cut off from local production, and keeping the dollars in Hawaii creates jobs and expertise we can export.

The Legislature should pass the current bills to mandate 100 percent renewable power generation by 2040.Hawaiian Electric Co. is ahead of schedule and plans to exceed 65 percent renewable generation by 2030.Still, that leaves 35 percent of power generation to fossil fuels indefinitely.

Right now utility companies are considering investments in expensive infrastructure to accommodate a switch to liquid natural gas. They need clear policy on which to base decisions we customers will pay for in the end.

Lisa Marten
Co-founder, Windward Climate Change Hui

Blood donations from gay men just as safe

The results of the "Big Q" ("Do you agree with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s decision to lift the lifetime ban on blood donations by gay men?" Star-Advertiser, March 17) showed that 38 percent agreed, 62 percent disagreed.

Possible elements influencing answers to this question might include factors such as fear, ignorance, prejudice, misinformation and anxiety. Other options include valid scientific data and cultural and religious beliefs.

The ban was initiated in 1985 in response to the AIDS/HIV pandemic. However, testing and treatment have improved exponentially with anti-retroviral medications rendering HIV virtually undetectable in many HIV victims of every sexual orientation. Also, HIV exists in every demographic, being no longer primarily located in the gay community.

In June, the American Medical Association stated that this policy is discriminatory and not based on sound science. The American Red Cross, on its website, states that it "performs laboratory tests for multiple infectious disease markers on every unit of donated blood." These include among others, hepatitis B and C, HIV, syphilis and West Nile virus.

William E. Conti
Waikiki

School principals need more autonomy

The recently released survey of school principals is a wake-up call for state leaders on the condition of our public schools ("Principals point to little support," Star-Advertiser, March 19).

When only 32 percent of principals responding to the survey express confidence in the superin- tendent and only 11 percent approve of the Board of Education (which hires and evaluates the superintendent), it shows our education system’s leadership is in trouble.

When an overwhelming majority of the principals appeal for more autonomy in making in-school decisions, opposed to directives imposed by Department of Education administrators two or three steps removed from actual teaching, we need to take immediate action to correct the disconnect.

Give those who best understand the conditions at the school level the power to direct resources to their most effective and best use.

Francis M. Nakamoto
Moanalua Valley

Damon should keep park free for public

When Samuel Mills Damon’s great grandson John Philip "J.P." Damon bought out the other Damon heirs following a court decree that a sale take place, he vowed to keep Moana-lua Gardens open to the public.

His family inherited the garden from Hawaiian royalty because his great grandfather was a close friend of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop’s husband.

All these years, there was no entrance fee, and that should continue into the future ("Moanalua Gardens will begin to charge admission," Star-Advertiser, March 19).

If Damon does not want to honor his vow, the honorable act now would be to cede the property over to the state, which could permit the public to continue free access.

Janet Dagan
Punchbowl

Fighting graffiti will add to cost of rail

A Seoul newspaper recently reported that vandals had penetrated a barn housing rail cars and vandalized them with graffiti.

A graffiti expert said it was an ego trip for the vandals to see their art on rail cars carrying the public.

No doubt we’ll see much graffiti on the rail cars and stations in Honolulu, so rail’s operating budget should include sizable amounts to cope with that happening.

Ronald Wong
Salt Lake

FROM THE FORUM

Readers of the Star-Advertiser’s online edition can respond to stories posted there. The following are some of those. Instead of names, pseudonyms are generally used online. They have been removed.

“Species discovery made atop Oahu,” Star-Advertiser, March 16:

>> Nice to read an article that shows a deep respect for the magic world that is the Hawaiian islands. It is hard to imagine that these special places and spaces in the wilds are so connected to a square building in Honolulu.

>> There are a lot of life forms still waiting to be discovered — or maybe never. Earth is amazing except for some forms of human life.

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“Astronomers document star leaving galaxy at record speed,” Star-Advertiser, March 16:

>> Climate change?

>> Obama and the Democrats caused this, no doubt about it.

>> Cost of rail spinning out of control.

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“Asbestos vexes Council members,” Star-Advertiser, March 17:

>> Air tests did not show anything hazardous so why spend $50 million?

>> You have to remove it because asbestos over time deteriorates. You can encapsulate, but at some point you have to go in and remove it. It’s part of the cost of maintaining old buildings.

>> You could build a whole new building for $50 million. Somebody’s friends are getting big contracts with this boondoggle.

>> Seal off the asbestos and use the building for ceremonial purposes and historical interest. Move the actual government functions to either the west side or at least to a new low-rise development in Kakaako. Why do these representatives of the people need to be ensconced in a dilapidated historical edifice that needs repair and is inefficient in any event?

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“Woman need not have urine test to begin county work, judge rules,” Star-Advertiser, March 17:

>> So Hawaii County is not testing for illegal drug use but in effect is checking for regular prescription medicine — and for what purpose? It is a backdoor way to find out what medical problems the employee has and if it is financially prudent to hire someone who has a possible life- long or expensive future medical problem that will put her on disability. Very devious, Hawaii County. In this case I have to agree with the applicant.

>> The government and private businesses have been drug-screening for decades. This is going to be an ongoing issue when state laws are different regarding drug use.

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“Price of school lunches likely to rise,” Star-Advertiser, March 18:

>> As a taxpayer, I think it’s a good investment in our future to pay for all children’s meals while they’re at school. Kids who are fed well study better. Kids who study better are more likely to become good citizens. Good citizens contribute to society positively.

>> Will the 25 cents cover union payroll?

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“Officers omitted game room attacks in reports, FBI says,” Star-Advertiser, March 18:

>> These cops were too dumb to realize that the room had surveillance cameras. I’m wondering if SHOPO (the police officers union) will stand up for them. If yes, shame on SHOPO.

>> For all of you bleeding-heart liberals, I don’t have any problems with these officers assaulting the owners or patrons of this gambling or any other gambling establishments. I respect these officers and hope they continue to slap a few heads.

>> You don’t have any problem with police officers slapping someone around until it’s you or your family and friends.

>> Their crime is obvious. They are bad cops. But let’s not paint all police officers with the broad brush of guilt. Most police officers are doing exactly what we expect them to do, in the manner in which we expect them to do it. 

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“Governor withdraws DLNR nomination before Senate can vote,” Star-Advertiser, March 19:

>> Nominee Carleton Ching was as qualified as any person who has ever held the job of chairman of the state Board of Land and Natural Resources. Expressions to the contrary are simply political drivel used to get to an end. That end was to prevent someone who is not a candidate of the Sierra Club from getting the job. 

>>The Sierra Club might have played a role in mobilizing its side, but the fact remains that  many citizens of the state of Hawaii just objected to Mr. Ching and were mobilized. This is democracy in action, is it not?

>> Gov. David Ige is off to a horrible start. I hope he can graduate from his tricycle soon enough and learn the ropes of being a true governor of the people, not the corporations.