The state Public Utilities Commission properly rejected NextEra’s bid to buy Hawaiian Electric (“No deal,” Star-Advertiser, July 16).
However, opponents of the sale are not looking in the proper direction for replacement owners. Critics of this sale are now focused on looking for a “better” commercial company to buy our electric utility.
This will not result in a substantially better solution. Like the water utility, electricity should be owned by the people served by the utility.
Early on there was much discussion of either ownership by the taxpayers, or alternatively, and almost as good, a cooperative, which works effectively on Kauai.
No one seems to be pursuing those options anymore. A publicly owned utility can be operated just as efficiently as a privately owned company, and the “profits” will be shared by the taxpayers rather than wealthy stockholders.
Bob Karman
Hawaii Kai
Thanks to those who toiled at thankless job
This is to express my sincere appreciation to members of the state Public Utilities Commission and any other individuals and groups that worked through the NextEra matter.
The 19-month process undoubtedly involved countless hours analyzing the volumes of information to reach a final decision.
Irrespective of the final outcome, I am at ease that the matter was fully and objectively vetted, and that the PUC members acted in what they felt was the best interest of Hawaiian Electric’s customers and the state.
From Day One, it was going to be a thankless job, and I commend them all for not making a sham of the process.
Irwina Lee
Mililani
Rail’s graceful lines enhance city’s beauty
Many have complained of the loss of sight lines and overall ugliness of the rail system.
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, and I am personally awed by its enormity and graceful lines. In my eyes, it is the overwhelming volume of poles and their attendant phone, cable and power lines that mar the view.
The rail structure is here to stay, so let’s further utilize it to carry all those cables in conduit pipes underneath the guideway and also attach street lighting to it.
Remove all the unsightly poles so unencumbered sidewalks can be returned to pedestrians or converted into bike paths.
Thinking further outside the box, engineers should consider the possibility of photovoltaic panels on parts of the guideway, or even hanging bike lanes under the eaves of the guideway, with on/off ramps at each station.
Stan Yanke
Aiea
Ending rail too soon will thwart its purpose
Despite the majority opinion that rail transit be built all the way to Ala Moana Center, some politicians and the media keep hammering at the idea that it should end at Middle Street (“Construct rail to Ala Moana, voters urge,” Star-Advertiser, July 18).
It would be extremely shortsighted to terminate the rail at a shorter distance than planned. Ridership would be very low, while more dollars would need to be found to run and maintain it.
If this media and political football is to end at Middle Street, perhaps it would be better if we just tore down what’s already been built and restore the land to the original condition. That way, Honolulu could continue to suffer with mounting traffic problems and a poor quality of life.
This is a satirical look at the rail, of course. But there is a lot of truth to it.
Michael Woo
Hawaii Kai
Feral cats could be symbiotic opportunity
Suzanne Case, director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, has insulted thousands of people who embrace Trap Neuter Release (TNR) as a humane and compassionate approach to population control for dogs and cats (“There’s nothing humane about treating ‘cats gone wild’ as pets,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, July 17).
She referenced research by the University of Hawaii and the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to make her case for killing.
When it comes to animal welfare, PETA is not exactly a mainstream, credible organization.
But maybe she could look at TNR success stories — and there is no better example than Disneyland.
Since 1955, feral cats have taken up residence at the magical home of Mickey Mouse. Walt Disney found them in Sleeping Beauty’s Castle and allowed them to stay to help control unwanted rodent populations.
Disney now runs a TNR program and today cares for about 200 cats.
Government and businesses in Hawaii shouldn’t wait another 60 years to embrace the symbiotic opportunity of TNR.
Celeste Kato
Waipahu
FROM THE FORUM
Readers of the Star-Advertiser’s online edition can respond to stories posted there. The following are some of those. Instead of names, pseudonyms are generally used online. They have been removed.
“HPD is testing where on body to put cameras”
Star-Advertiser, July 18:
>> It should be something like Google Glass, where the camera is at eye level and moves with the head, so you can see what the cop is looking at. Looking at some of those chest-mounted videos, you can see that the officer’s body is twisted and his chest is pointed away from the direction that his eyes, arms and weapon are pointed.
>> I’m guessing there are other police departments that have already done this. Quit stalling and reinventing the wheel.
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“Take rail all the way to Ala Moana, voters urge
Star-Advertiser, July 18:
>> A true, transparent survey question would have asked, “Already years behind schedule and billions of dollars over budget, would you be OK with rail going to Ala Moana if it required a yearly 10 percent or more increase in your property taxes to fund rail’s monthly operating and maintenance costs, pay for union workers’ salary/medical/pension benefits, and other rail- related expenses?”
>> It should go to Ala Moana, but they need to cut out those stupid and expensive decorations on the columns and leave out some of the stations (do them later).
>> Ending rail at Middle Street or Ala Moana Center will make no difference to the commuter. Most commuters still have to catch another bus to their final destinations. Meanwhile, the incompetent rail building must stop now because the project has insufficient funds.
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Public support for telescope increases”
Star-Advertiser, July 19:
>> I am not all that surprised that a majority are in favor of the telescope, but I am pleased. This is a good thing for Hawaii, Native Hawaiians included.
>> These land-based toys will never compete with space technology telescopes. These institutions only take care of those with money to play with them in their private sandbox.
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“UH recommends raising its tuition”
Star-Advertiser, July 19:
>> Check out schools on the mainland and (you’ll find that) the University of Hawaii is a bargain. It’s time for UH to operate its programs by tuition hikes instead of relying on the taxpayer.
>> An increase to fix facilities may seem reasonable, but they say the same thing every time. Then nothing changes. Things that were broken when I graduated from UH in 1970 are still broken. The same paint is peeling off of the walls. Dorm students pay for the same carpet stains every year. This is the same reason they use to urge raising gas taxes — to fix the roads. Then nothing happens.
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“Rotary Club and city to turn Waikiki lot into gated green”
Star-Advertiser, July 20:
>> Thanks to the city and Rotary Club for a well-intentioned gated park. When the park is completed many will come to enjoy it.
>> “The city will provide park maintenance and enforcement.” So it’ll be trashed within two weeks after opening.
^
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“Ex-councilman vies for a chance at Slom’s seat”
Star-Advertiser, July 20:
>> I am a Democrat, but I have nothing but respect for Sen. Sam Slom. He articulates his views well and provides reasonable alternatives. However, I think Stanley Chang will win. Why? Because he simply outworks his opponents. He is always walking the district, meeting constituents, shaking hands, connecting with people. People talk about social media, and it is important, but human contact is where a lot of elections are won.
>> It’s important to keep Sen. Sam Slom in the Legislature. He puts forth another voice, even though it may be a lone one.
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“Takai leaves ‘legacy of courage, of service, and of hope’”
Star-Advertiser, July 21:
>> On every level, Mark Takai’s passing is a major loss — to his family, his community, his state and his nation. We are richer for having had him, and mourn his death.
>> A man of character and integrity and human values was taken too early, as he had so much to offer as a congressman for Hawaii. My condolences to his wife and children and I do hope his children will follow in his footsteps of living a life of service to society.
