From time to time, news reports suggest that too much money is being spent on military musicians (“Measures aim to cut spending on military musicians,” Star-Advertiser, July 3).

Over the years, it’s been a pleasure listening to military musicians from the various services. Military music adds much to the pomp and circumstance of civic and military events. It adds to the camaraderie and pride of the military services and their members, puts the military front and center of the public, and is a tremendous recruiting tool.

Yes, cost-cutting is a must in these difficult financial times. The ax might come down on military musicians. If it were to happen, I sincerely hope it is done judiciously and prudently. Military music is an important part of our armed forces.

I hope that military musicians and their music will continue to have an integral place in our military and country.

Lawrence M.O. Chun

Kailua

Inaccurate terms confuse gun debate

Like the author of “We have to stop listening to NRA” (Star-Advertiser, Letters, July 4), I want to end the violence, but to do that we have to listen to reason.

The oft-repeated mantra that we must ban assault rifles, which are only for military or police, reveals a fundamental misunderstanding that will result in wasted efforts.

Assault rifles are used by the military, because they are automatic — when you depress the trigger, they will keep firing bullets until they are out of ammunition. These weapons — machine guns to the layman — have been banned for decades.

Assault “style” rifles look the same to the uninitiated, but are semi-automatic — they will fire only one bullet each time the trigger is depressed. They operate much the same as many other rifles that don’t look like military weapons.

Let’s use science, not erroneous slogans, to craft effective solutions.

Stephen T. Hazam

Kakaako

Let’s find out where homeless come from

The headlines continue to reinforce the fact that Hawaii’s homeless problem is growing (“Isles’ homeless population grows,” Star-Advertiser, June 30).

Little is mentioned about where the increase in homeless individuals is coming from.

If the 4 percent increase is a result of more ill-equipped transients coming to Hawaii, our politicians should be finding out why. Or are more of our kamaaina being driven from their homes? That should motivate our lawmakers to look at current tax strategies, home affordability, quality of life and cost-of-living policies, and come up with solutions.

Without doing a root-cause analysis, building more shelters, buying more apartment buildings and trying to accommodate everyone who’s living in a tent is not a realistic answer to homelessness.

Maybe if the details of what’s causing these increases were known, the general public would be more understanding of what the city and state are doing.

Ted Kanemori

Kaneohe

Metal structure at playground unsafe

The newly renovated playground in Palolo, next to the pool, is unsafe.

The whole structure is made of metal. The platforms are way too high. I haven’t seen these types of play structures being built in years. Modern structures are plastic.

As a registered nurse, working in an E.R., I used to see plenty of injuries from these metal structures, including broken bones and head injuries.

I don’t understand why this was built in the first place, but it needs to be removed ASAP, before some child gets badly hurt.

Sharon Lewis

Kailua

Ige deserves praise for PUC appointment

Richard Borreca claims Gov. David Ige is in trouble for appointing Tom Gorak to the state Public Utilities Commission after Michael Champley’s term expired, because the Senate has yet to confirm him (“Ige finds himself in trouble regarding 2 key decisions,” Star-Advertiser, On Politics, July 5).

The Senate may not like it, but Ige is not in trouble with voters. In 2014, voters favored Ige over Neil Abercrombie by more than 2 to 1, in part because they were disgusted with Abercombie’s appointments to boards and commissions. Champley was appointed by Abercrombie.

Ige ran on a platform that included working more aggressively toward clean energy, increasing the installation of rooftop solar systems and holding off on a decision to use liquefied natural gas. He was not supportive of the merger between Hawaiian Electric Industries and NextEra Energy.

In appointing Gorak, Ige is following through on his promises to voters, and he should be applauded.

John Kawamoto

Kaimuki

Gabbard correct to reach out to GOP

I would like to present a more positive view of U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard than Kevin Roddy did (“Gabbard seems too chummy with GOP,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, July 5).

Republicans and Democrats are so divided that few bills get passed. Those that do include restrictions inviting a veto from the president. When Gabbard was running for Congress, she was asked how this problem could be resolved. She said social events that include Republicans was a way she would improve the situation.

She is not the only one with this opinion. Other people have asked why representatives fly home after sessions; if they stayed in Washington and met with others socially, more could get done.

Maybe more Democrats and Republicans should get to know each other better.

Gabbard is doing what she said she would do. The fact that she disagreed with the party does not mean she hates her party. It means she speaks out when she disagrees. That is the American way.

Ralph H. Conway

Kailua