Electrical energy policy in Hawaii too politicized

I’m always amazed at how little technical knowledge is needed to be an “expert.” Today it seems everyone is an expert on alternative energy and electric utilities.

I’m long retired, but as a former electrical engineer responsible for keeping the lights on, I am frightened at how politicized Hawaii’s electric energy planning has become.

If others aren’t frightened, it’s because they don’t fully understand the situation.

Hawaiian Electric’s reserve capacity, which does not include intermittent sources such as wind and solar energy, has to be sufficient during system maintenance and equipment failures.

Today, HECO’s system is falling behind. With all the political bickering, the situation is not likely to get better any time soon. A comprehensive alternative energy solution is many years in the future.

So keep your batteries charged, and your little gas generator maintained. Odds are you’re going to need them.

James B. Young

St. Louis Heights

Proposed fishing rules would hurt Hawaiians

My heart aches for the Hawaiians and what the proposed federal regulations will do to their ability to fish around their own islands.

Hawaiians may think the federal government and environmental groups have their best interests in mind, but how has that worked out so far?

If the federal government is allowed to “protect” hundreds of miles of ocean from “overfishing,” the fish caught here will be more scarce than before. The 40 percent local supply of fish will be replaced by, “Go Safeway, guys.”

Once the federal government gets its hands on our state’s oceans, we can kiss our fish and our freedom goodbye.

Faith Burns

Aina Haina

Trump should make his tax returns public

“Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this return and accompanying schedules and statements, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, they are true, correct, and complete.”

If Donald Trump really honored his pledge to the Internal Revenue Service, and believed his return to be true and correct, then his refusal to release his return because of an ongoing IRS audit is pure subterfuge.

But if we buy into his deception, then why not four or five years of past returns? What is he hiding?

Concealing a smaller net worth than his boast?

Abusive tax shelters to reduce or zero out taxes?

No donations to churches?

Overseas accounts at the expense of the U.S.?

Failed investments with huge write-offs, belying his business boast?

Business with nefarious entities?

Without his returns, we can only wonder.

George Nakamura

Mililani

Trump a moderate who will get more qualified

Thanks to Donald Trump, the “tea party” may fade away. It never represented the average Republican anyway.

Instead, we now have a moderate candidate who will become more qualified as the GOP gets behind him and supports his progress.

What’s our choice? Hillary Clinton leans toward socialism, and has many times been reputed to be dishonest and unfit to serve in political office.

Trump invites our support. We can do it together.

Bette Berry

Makiki