Dull politicians better than Kenoi

Lee Cataluna’s column in which she essentially defends Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi’s use of government funds to purchase “booze in a Longs bag” was one of the most absurd pieces I’ve seen of hers in a while (“Kenoi is the rare fun guy among dull politicians,” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 30).

She seems to suggest that Hawaii’s taxpaying citizens would be better off with elected officials and government employees who are more likable and fun to drink alcohol with.

I know that Cataluna may find this hard to believe, but I’ll take dedicated government employees who are what she called “drips” (e.g., Kirk Caldwell, Charles Djou) over “canny” and “charismatic” abusers of my “fishy smelling” tax dollars any day of the week.

Scott Keir

Niu Valley

Heed Mitsunaga’s warnings on rail

Dennis Mitsunaga’s ad in Sunday’s Star-Advertiser (“Will the rail be safe to travel on?,” Oct. 30) will be a revelation to many who make time to peruse this informative document.

His structural engineering expertise is evident in this painstaking piece.

Let’s hope his message resonates as it seeps into the consciousness of those whose duty it is to do what is pono.

Rick Ornellas

Liliha

Rail won’t be safe for passengers

Thanks so much to Dennis Mitsunaga for the valuable information and questions raised about the safety of our future rail system.

I will now never set foot on the rail. Ever. How can our city be expected to build and maintain a safe rail system when it cannot even fix potholes?

Anne Wheelock

Nuuanu

Columnist ignores Israel’s crimes

Charles Krauthammer — Jew, uber-Zionist and Israel-firster — is at it again (“Clinton needs to challenge Obama’s anti-Israel policies,” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 28).

He plays the ever-convenient “Jewish victim” card, excoriating President Barack Obama for “anti-Israel policies,” eliding the recent military-welfare package that will ensure the gifting of $3.8 billion of our tax dollars to the Zionist state of Israel for each of the next 10 years.

That, as our infrastructure crumbles and our other war-mongering activities worldwide sow seeds of discord and hatred of our America in their wake and bankrupt our treasury.

Krauthammer has not a word to write about Israel’s vicious, illegal, decades-long belligerent occupation of Palestine that has everything to do with the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement he decries.

Krauthammer needs a good psychiatrist. The Star-Advertiser needs a sane, credible columnist.

Robert H. Stiver

Pearl City

U.S. uses Japan for militarism

I disagree with the recent letter, “Treaty with Japan unfair to Americans” (Star-Advertiser, Oct. 13).

Our military is in Japan for America’s purposes, not to defend Japan or its people. Japan’s strategic location serves to facilitate America’s militarism and foreign policy.

From Japan, America can harass, threaten or go to war against our many enemies, including North Korea, China or Russia. This makes Japan a magnet for enemy strikes, as was Pearl Harbor.

What are America’s plans to protect the Japanese people in case of an emergency?

Japan would automatically be drawn into America’s wars. And American-led war games are asking for it.

Carol Han

Punchbowl

Use VW money for electric bus

The state Energy Office expects to receive $7.5 million in funds from a settlement with Volkswagen, the result of last year’s diesel emissions scandal (“Isles will get $7.5M to cut emissions,” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 26). This is great! But what to do with this money?

It’s far too little to solve any systemic issues on its own, and it would be a shame to simply add it to a larger program, where the difference it makes becomes imperceptible. No, a good use of this surprise windfall would be a symbolic, singular item, such as the first electric bus of Honolulu’s anticipated electric bus fleet. This would allow the settlement to remain in the public consciousness, and act as a symbol of transition away from carbon-based fuels.

Wouldn’t it be great if there was something concrete we could point at when talking to our children about the future of our islands?

Leopold Wambersie

Kaneohe

Keep list of voters who can’t wait

In case any polling precincts run out of ballots again, a sign-in sheet should be used to document the voters who decided to leave rather than wait for more ballots to be delivered. It could make a difference in a close election.

Alvin Wong

Pearl City