Fake service dogs need to be curbed

I appreciate Lee Cataluna addressing the issue of “fake service dogs” (“Fake service dogs make life tougher for truly disabled,” Star-Advertiser, July 24).

It is no secret that dogs are infiltrating our businesses, stores and eateries. And it doesn’t take an expert to see that more pet owners are abusing a privilege reserved for the truly disabled.

Not only does this abuse frustrate the disabled, it also affects those who are allergic to dogs. Some people have serious reactions to dog dander, especially in enclosed areas. Should we not give more consideration to human health matters?

Businesses should not have to ask pet owners if their dog is a service dog. I support requiring IDs on dog vests or collars for everyone to see. Since disabled drivers need placards for special parking, why not provide an ID system for owners of service dogs? This would not only control the abuse but also make it easier for all business owners.

Robert Miller

Hawaii Kai

Many nations have had female leaders

Since the mid-20th century, women have been democratically elected as presidents of many countries, among them Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Finland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liberia, Lithuania, Malawi, Malta, Nepal, Nicaragua, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and Taiwan.

Many women are heads of state in other capacities as well, such as prime minister.

According to the World Economic Forum, 63 of 142 countries have had a female head of government or state in the last five decades. Angela Merkel of Germany, Indira Gandhi of India, Golda Meir of Israel, Park Geun-hye of South Korea, Corazon Aquino of the Philippines, and Margaret Thatcher of the United Kingdom are well-known pioneers as national political leaders.

Why hasn’t a woman ever been elected president of the United States of America? Are women’s equality, rights and status that backward in this country?

Leslie E. Sponsel

Hawaii Kai

We need leader who can get things done

The debate in the media between who is more “immoral,” “crooked,” “un-Christian” or “untrustworthy” between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton throws an enormous red herring into this election.

This only distracts the electorate from the real problems facing our country. The outcome of the election will have an enormous impact on how they are addressed. The Senate, House of Representatives, Supreme Court, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, abortion rights, health care, LGBT rights, immigration, terrorism and the military are all at stake.

During the Great Depression and World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt cut many backroom deals and enacted measures that were patently illegal at the time. Nonetheless, he is credited with bringing us through both disasters and was respected by Americans of both parties. We’re not looking to elect a Dalai Lama or a Mother Teresa. We need a president and a government that can get things done.

William E. Conti

Waikiki

Homeless are clear public health danger

There are thousands of individuals living in the streets, parks, beaches, along the coast and harbors.

The areas they reside in are used as toilets and garbage dumps. This human sewage and waste result in effluent carried by rainwater into our streams and ocean. A toxic mixture of waste is brewing along our treasured shores, threatening the health of all who live or visit here.

Is there possibly a correlation between the reported outbreaks of hepatitis A and the fecal contaminants mentioned above?

We have a Third-World sanitation situation in our islands. Will we survive this toxic contamination?

Many people I know have had experiences of their own, such as encountering human waste while surfing Ala Moana or in the streets of Kakaako. They are all appalled by the extent of the problem.

What are we going to do about this?

Margaret K. Ralston

Waimanalo

Car rental firms got sweet airport deal

Recent letters concerning airport parking can be traced to an attitude that rental car companies have priority over the public (“Airport lacks enough parking,” Star-Advertiser, June 15; “Airport has little parking available,” Star-Advertiser, July 4).

The public and airport employees lost when rental cars were granted the right to occupy half of the parking structure and all of the adjacent surface lots.

Three alternatives were available for rental cars: a lot on Lagoon Drive, land on Ualena Street, or the site presently under construction.

Ualena Street was clearly the right location for airport rental cars based on the information prepared to guide planning.

Many years ago, Seattle- Tacoma International Airport officials operated a consolidated rental car facility within its public parking building. They realized this would not allow for expansion and the rental car operation was moved off airport, as is the case at most major airports. At our airport, rental car companies have no incentive to return public parking until 2020 or beyond.

Owen Miyamoto

Manoa Valley

NextEra could easily have impressed us

NextEra spent almost $21 million on public relations and consultants in a futile effort to acquire Hawaiian Electric.

It chose to advertise heavily, featuring many of the top power brokers in town, including developers, bankers and a fast-food magnate.

Had it succeeded, Hawaiian Electric would then be part of fracking operations and natural gas consumption.

Instead, imagine if NextEra had invested $20 million in electricity storage facilities here, allowing greater grid penetration by solar photovoltaic systems. Most of us would have been impressed with its expertise and ability, and would have looked forward to more innovation.

By their choices, NextEra executives demonstrated that they did not have the foresight and ability to move Hawaii forward to a fully renewable energy future.

Brice Conquest

Kahala