The pope should take the advice of Jesus and leave the affairs of Caesar to others (“Pope urges swift action to fix climate,” Star-Advertiser, June 19).
There is enough spiritual turmoil and evil to keep the pope busy.
The world needs a pope who will heal the human spirit, not make weather reports and delve into trying to create a egalitarian society and other politics.
As Emperor Constantine did in 325 AD, Pope Francis should call for and host a summit of the leaders of the world’s major religions, including Catholics and other Christian denominations, Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus.
The purpose would be for all the religious leaders to dedicate their considerable influence and power to peace.
This would especially be true for those who are termed peaceful Muslims, who need to speak out against the terror, murder and savagery of people committing heinous crimes in the name of Allah.
Fred Hemmings
Kaneohe
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Don’t mess with fireworks law
What’s with the City Council?
Three years ago it banned novelty fireworks such as sparklers and fountains. This law is working.
So why is the Council looking into bringing it back (“Bill to allow return of sparklers advances,” Star-Advertiser, June 17)?
The Honolulu Fire Department and the Honolulu Police Depart- ment are against this change. Bringing the novelty fireworks back will not stop the illegal aerials.
I’m very disappointed in Council members Ann Kobayashi and Ikaika Anderson for even thinking it.
Work on the homeless situation and leave the fireworks alone.
Marge Akana
Ewa Beach
Use albizia trees for fuel source
Among Hawaii island’s long list of problems, two suggest a common solution:
» The albizia tree, often named as an invasive plant.
» The high cost of residual fuel oil, which contributes to our high cost of electricity.
The Pepeekeo on Hawaii island power plant is capable of burning wood chips for fuel.
Indeed, Pepeekeo burned several kinds of biomass fuel during its time as the power source for the Hilo Coast Processing Co.
So, let’s cut down on fossil fuel use and get rid of albizia trees by restarting the Pepeekeo power plant.
There are other sources of wood chips for fuel as well.
Let’s clear other invasive trees and all those many acres of eucalyptus trees on the Hilo Coast and Hamakua Coast that the Kamehameha Schools and Hawaii County planted on the former sugar cane land.
Some eucalyptus are good for timber, but most are only good for fuel.
Jack Roney
Hilo
Hawaiian Air lacking in aloha
How wonderful Hawaiian Airlines is making money hand over fist on baggage fees and cancellations (“Hawaiian Air earns $18.2M on baggage fees,” Star-Advertiser, June 23).
But that’s only the obvious sources.
If you reschedule a flight for which you’ve paid to get “comfort plus” seats, you forfeit the upgrade cost.
If your mileage account is inactive for 18 months, Hawaiian empties your account.
Maybe we should complain about the airline using the name “Hawaiian,” as its business practices are certainly not reflective of either aloha or ohana.
George Krasnick
Kailua
Kauai bill sets good example
I am envious of the Kauai community’s ability to think forward and move ahead with Kauai Council Bill 2589, which would hold people responsible for decisions they make having full knowledge of the dangers of hiking and having to be rescued (“Don’t let your own negligence imperil others,” Star-Advertiser, Our View, June 20).
Social media has allowed information to explode on the Internet and make available more information on hiking trails, which has increased the activity in these areas.
I hope this bill moves ahead and hold people responsible to pay reimbursement of their rescues.
Maybe Oahu will follow; our taxes continue to pay for the stupidity of others.
I would also like to see citations that require those cited to appear in court 30 days later, with the cost of the citation being high enough for them to feel the pinch.
Rae Leong
Kaneohe
