Can feds force risks on states?

Although annoying and frustrating, the churn that has gripped our federal government during the Obama administration has revealed interesting realities of government form and function.

The wielding of constitutional powers bestowed on the various branches of government has served to remind us of the brilliance of the design foreseen by its framers. They were students of the failings of men in power, as revealed by centuries of history, and were able to project those same failings into perpetuity.

The U.S. Constitution was designed accordingly to withstand the tendencies of human nature. Now, equally interesting, we see another element of the brilliant design under duress.

Can the federal government compel the states within the union to accept risk the states deem unacceptable? Notwithstanding the pettiness and haughty platitudes of chief executives at both levels, this is quite a study of the workings of our republic.

John Hansen
Waipahu

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UH should not rehire retiree

Retired University of Hawaii administrators such as Doris Ching should not be allowed to come back to a high-paying, full-time job with the same employer (“Ching suggested as UH-West Oahu chief,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 13).

She is well qualified; however, the interim position should be filled by someone not yet retired.

She probably is not the only one who has been rehired after retiring from a government job and receiving an Employees’ Retirement System pension.

Craig Nahm
Hawaii Kai

If NextEra can help, we’re for it

We applaud the state’s energy goals but achieving them in a timely manner without the vast financial and technical resources of NextEra seems unlikely.

As a small business and electricity consumer, we support the proposed NextEra/Hawaiian Electric Industries merger and believe it will lower our cost of doing business so we can pass on the savings to our customers.

Here on Molokai, we struggle to keep our doors open. Our rural, agriculturally driven community suffers from our isolated location, small population and high cost of energy. In fact, we have the highest per-kilowatt average cost in the state. Any time a cost savings is presented, we embrace it, hoping it will help us survive.

Having this opportunity presented to us by Next-Era gives us a glimpse of a better economy islandwide and statewide and, just as important, the ability to achieve environmentally conscious sustainability.

Chris Mebille
Vice president, Makoa Trucking & Services
Molokai

Hawaii could become a target

I have been a supporter of Gov. David Ige but I strongly disagree with his willingness to allow Syrian refugees into Hawaii.

Doesn’t he realize we already have terrorists in our country despite “high-level federal screening?”

Schofield Barracks’ 25th Infantry and Kaneohe Marines have been active in the Middle East, and military members and their families provide tempting targets for revenge.

An ISIS bomb going off in Waikiki would provide great publicity for the terrorists.

I hope our immigrant screening procedures are better than those of the French. But why take that chance? Actually, I don’t think ISIS had actually considered Hawaii as a potential target — until now.

Lester T. Hirano
Wilhemina Rise

We don’t need more problems

In recent years, we have been inundated with articles about perceived social injustices and govern- ment inefficiencies that are surely important to many in Hawaii.

This partial list covers topics that have the attention of our elected leaders:

» The rail project fiasco.

» The vexing homeless problem on Oahu and lack of affordable housing.

» Protests against the Mauna Kea and Haleakala telescope projects.

» The recurring fiscal fiascos at the University of Hawaii-Manoa.

» Continuing disappointing test results of public school students.

Time out, please. Notwithstanding the importance of solving the foregoing challenges, we cannot afford to defer addressing actions ensuring the safety and security of Hawaii and its peoples from foreign and domestic terrorists.

In fact, the security of our state and populace remains the paramount responsibility of our elected leaders, something that cannot be delegated to others. The consequences of any successful terrorist attack will surely relegate other issues to the manini category.

Kay S. Kimura
Waialae