The latest debate between the Honolulu Board of Water Supply and the Navy needs to be the last debate (“Red Hill aquifer polluted, city says,” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 31). The Navy must stop its procrastination to ensure that the recommendations set by city and state officials are met.

The public has a lot to be concerned about, despite the Navy’s claim that the area’s drinking water is not in jeopardy.

The Navy has a weak argument. The latest results were from tests conducted about four months ago. The numbers could have changed. Although the July levels fell below the acceptable level of 4,500 parts per billion, this doesn’t mean that the water is safe. The test in April was 5,250. There’s room for fluctuation.

This water issue is a red flag. The Navy must be held accountable. The public deserves immediate action to avoid future leakages.

Alexis M. Liftee
Nuuanu

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Harassing women in store an insult

I’m disgusted that the Honolulu Police Department allows one of its officers to behave unprofessionally by harassing and assaulting two women, in defiance of the oath to protect and defend the Constitution (“HPD officer accused of arresting lesbians kissing in store,” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 28).

This assault is an insult to the land of aloha. The chief of police has nurtured a state of bullying and harassment by not addressing this case back in March. This officer should forfeit his retirement for his unethical behavior.

Foodland needs to have all of its employees take diversity training that would teach them to respect all customers. It was appalling that they joined HPD in the harassment and assault on the two customers. What bullies to attack two women in a grocery store.

Carolyn Martinez Golojuch
President, Rainbow Family 808

Rail funds could buy more useful things

Just to put the rail transit budget overrun into context, $1 billion could conceivable eliminate the entire facilities repair backlogs both for the University of Hawaii system as well as the state Department of Education. Just a sliver of that overrun could completely wipe out UH athletics’ accumulated operating debt of $15 million.

Including the overrun, $6.4 billion could build 97 brand spanking new all-indoor air conditioned schools like the Ewa Makai Middle School ($67 million).

To me the highest and best use of funds is always to make our population smarter. And from those schools a really smart graduate would find a modern and truly effective system to ease traffic congestion on Oahu.

Von Kenric Kaneshiro
Honolulu

Columnist got wish to dump Norm Chow

Mahalo to Norm Chow for coming home and giving us a shot (“Chow is pau,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 2). If he doesn’t retire, I’m sure next year we will see him in a bowl game with a Top 10 team on the mainland.

I hope Star-Advertiser columnist Dave Reardon is happy he got his wish. Maybe Reardon can use his clout with the national media and athletics in general to lure a coach like Urban Meyer, Nick Saban, Jim Harbaugh or Steve Spurrier — he’s available.

Mark Ida
Salt Lake

UH should spend money on education

So Norm Chow is pau? Why not? But with a $300,000 golden parachute? Lucky guy! Guess where that money’s coming from.

What happened to the concept of a university as an institution of higher learning that might, coincidentally, have an extracurricular athletic program for students? Talk about the tail wagging the dog.

Fan interest and game attendance is decreased? So what? Why not simply close the program and revive intramural sports? Spend the stratospheric athletic budget on professors and programs, and salvage UH’s dwindling academic reputation. What’s the school for, anyway?

John M. Corboy
Mililani

Better choices than June Jones for UH

Some people already are promoting specific candidates to replace Norm Chow. When it comes to June Jones, let’s just say no. He has always been in it for himself, always ready to leave one job for another he sees as better.

He professes to love Hawaii, but he showed no loyalty when he jumped ship for Southern Methodist University. As for Rich Miano, he lacks sufficient coaching experience as he’s never been a coordinator, let alone a head coach on the college level.

UH can’t afford a top-name mainland head coach. The best choice may be Nick Rolovich, a young guy with good experience, and ties to Hawaii.

David Weiss
Kaimuki

Bring June Jones back to UH football

In looking for the next University of Hawaii football head coach, UH should save time and effort and look no further than Coach June Jones.

The last game that he coached at Aloha Stadium was the 2012 Hawaii Bowl on Dec 24. His team then, Southern Methodist University, came into that game a 12-point underdog and walked away with a 43-10 victory over Fresno State.

Whenever you passed Jones on Kalakaua Avenue or met him on the Waikiki Wall (Kapahulu Groin), you could stop and talk with him and he always had time for you. It’s a no brainer: Hire Coach Jones.

Steve Abrams
Waikiki