We take issue with your editorial arguing that NextEra Energy needs to provide “facts and figures” regarding our proposed merger with Hawaiian Electric (“NextEra must provide PUC more details,” Star-Advertiser, Our View, Aug. 16). To date, we’ve filed nearly 40,000 pages of responses to more than 1,900 information requests. In our plan, we outline the initiatives and rationale behind our estimates. And, behind the $1 billion in economic benefits lays a detailed list of initiatives and estimated savings — all of which is publicly available.

Importantly, we have repeatedly expressed our support for a 100 percent renewable Hawaii by 2045. NextEra Energy has an established track record in renewable energy and we are eager to put that experience to work in achieving this aggressive goal.

We recognize the unique challenges and opportunities present in Hawaii, and to that end, will continue to actively listen, learn and constructively engage with all stakeholders. We remain confident that our deep experience in renewable energy and lowering cost for customers while improving reliability will benefit Hawaii, and allow us to work together to build a more affordable, renewable energy future.

Robert L. Gould
Vice president and chief communications officer,
NextEra Energy

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North Shore needs better infrastructure

I agree with Bill Martin that the North Shore lacks infrastructure and our parks need better-maintained bathrooms and other facilities (“North Shore needs great attention, too,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, July 26).

Our bathrooms are in dire need of some good cleaning and repairs. Our parks are well-used and have been neglected for many years. Haleiwa Beach Park especially needs a major overhaul. There is rarely a weekend when our parks are not packed with our local people.

I do not want walkways, if they reflect the design of the latest Kamehameha Schools development. It has congested our roads even more and has taken away our informal bikeway. The landscaping is atrocious, it looks more like weeds.

We do not need a road around Laniakea and Chun’s Reef. Leave it as it is. Our funds need to be used on our existing parks and infrastructure.

Marilee Y. Lyons
Haleiwa

Other business near rail need tax break

Kamehameha Highway businesses should get a tax cut, too.

City Councilwoman Carol Fukunaga should make sure her real property tax cut proposal for industrial lands near the rail system includes commercial properties along Kamehameha Highway in the Pearl City and Aiea areas, where businesses will continue to be affected negatively by the construction (“Bill would cut taxes on industrial lands near the rail system,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 19).

As far as the impact on real property tax revenue is concerned, any negative impact in this proposal is somewhat offset by the additional taxes realized from the city’s new “Residential A” real property classification.

Dennis Kohara
Kaimuki

No child should go hungry in Hawaii

We have a homeless problem, so obviously we have children who go hungry.

Let’s stop this outrage now. No child should ever go hungry in a state as rich as ours. Please help to end hunger for all children.

Kristen Mowrey
Kailua

Homeless should obey the law, too

As a U.S. citizen I pay taxes, I pay to camp in city or state parks, and I am expected to obey the law.

However, if I were homeless, I can camp on public property for free full time. I can pretty much do as I please any time and I don’t have to worry about city or state laws. I don’t need any ID either, so I don’t have to be a U.S. citizen. Wow, what a great haven for terrorists or lone wolf-type terrorists.

Obviously, the city, state and federal governments don’t care enough about security or the safety of taxpaying U.S. citizens.

Clifton T. Johnson
Waikiki

A better diet won’t stop kidney dialysis

Your readers need to know that kidney failure is avoidable 90 percent of the time, but not by diet (“Kidney disease takes heavy toll,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 17).

In 35 years as an adult nephrologist, I’ve never seen diet prevent kidney dialysis. I wish it could. The only thing I’ve seen reverse kidney disease is a particular ACE inhibitor; often, a high dose is necessary.

It’s important for patients to know the facts. Once a patient with diabetes or high blood pressure has lost more than half of his or her kidney function, i.e. once their serum creatinine is above 1.5 to 2, it’s too late.

Dr. David W. Moskowitz
Leesburg, Fla.

Use paper, plastic to clean up after dog

Here are a few simple solutions regarding dog poop and plastic bags.

If you buy produce, save the bag; most folks do.

My favorite solution is what my newspaper comes in each day: that clear little bag that protects my paper so well. I pull the paper out and put the bag aside for its second use. I grab a few sheets of old newsprint, place it on the ground, put my hand in the bag like a glove, pick up the poop, put it in on the paper, roll the bag off my hand, put it on the paper, pull paper up to corners, twist it tight, put in trash. Pau.

Jeff Heinold
Haleiwa