Mahalo to everyone who supported our campaign to purchase and permanently protect the mauka lands on the Ka Iwi coast (“Trust has funds to buy Ka Iwi parcels,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 22).

A new generation of community leaders created and led the campaign, in particular Gary Weller, Elizabeth Reilly, Laura Kaakua and Ann Marie Kirk.

They tracked ownership of the parcels to a Utah bankruptcy court and spotted the opportunity to buy them. They negotiated with the bankruptcy receiver to purchase the parcels. They creatively navigated to combine city and state funds with community donations.

They continually reminded us of the importance of identifying and protecting Hawaiian cultural and natural aspects of these lands.

Finally, they inspired the community to donate more than $500,000 in 10 weeks.

These and other young Ka Iwi leaders will ensure that the mauka parcels will be carefully stewarded so that future generations can enjoy the undeveloped land along the Ka Iwi coast.

Mahalo to all.

Phil Estermann
Ka Iwi Coalition

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Kapalama Canal could be lovely

Instead of just putting up a fence along the Kapalama Canal, why not think a little broader and create a walking promenade along the canal with shade trees, benches, exercise stations and a restroom (“Law targets Kapalama Canal camps,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 20)?

This would be a nice place to go for all the people who work in the area.

The houseless people who live there? Please give them housing.

Peter McClaran
Makiki

It’s Clinton who should take fall

In the commentary, “Somebody must take the fall for Hillary’s e-mail question” (Star-Advertiser, Aug. 20), the author appears to struggle with a question that should have an obvious answer, and not the one he suggests: “some conscientious chief information officer” who should have warned her.

Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state, senator and first lady, should have been well aware that official communications, marked classified or not, could contain national security information and know that doing government business on a personal server jeopardizes that security.

The former secretary, and now presidential candidate, probably used the private server to conceal records from perceived political enemies and in doing so demonstrated poor judgment and disregard for national security.

Tom Freitas
Hawaii Kai

Don’t use babies for political aims

Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush asked for a definition of babies born in the U.S. to illegal immigrants. I think they should be called “innocent” or “adorable” new citizens, identical to his new grand-niece Poppy.

Babies are apolitical and should be off- limits. Shame on those who use their existence to stigmatize struggling families.

I would ask that famous question to Bush, “Have you no decency, sir?”

Beverly Kai
Kakaako

Bomb reactors easily detectable

Opponents of the deal in which Iran reduces its nuclear stockpile by 98 percent seem to be unaware that this deal is good for the United States, Israel and the whole world.

Reactors needed to produce weapons-grade plutonium, which Iran does not presently have, are impossible to hide. We know where they all are from their large radioactive signatures. Trust has nothing to do with this deal. It is verifiable. Ask any nuclear physicist or remote-sensing expert such as myself.

Barry Lienert
Waimanalo

Don’t wait for Laniakea fatality

When our governor and our mayor wrap up a meeting about helping the homeless, can we ask them to work on the traffic problem at Laniakea on the North Shore?

I hope it will not take a child running across the highway to get their attention.

Concerning the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Kakaako, aren’t many of the homeless of Hawaiian descent (“OHA in ‘very exploratory’ talks to create short-term housing for homeless in Kakaako,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 23)?

Why should OHA make money on providing land and shelter for its people?

Mary Moore
Kailua