It was with a heavy heart that I watched President Barack Obama’s farewell speech, as well as his Medal of Freedom with Distinction presentation to Vice President Joe Biden.

Not since the late 1970s have I seen such a bond between a president and vice president of the U.S. and the camaraderie they have shared.

With an imminent future of unknown chaos, “what-ifs” and tumultuous relationships between Donald Trump and his Cabinet members, let alone the lines of division in U.S. Senate and House committees, it was truly endearing to see the bond and love between possibly the two greatest men ever to lead the White House.

Such sadness to see it come to an end. May our country find such a duo once again to serve in the name of the people and not their pocketbooks.

Han Song

Kaneohe

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Protest inauguration of Donald Trump

The presidential inauguration is almost upon us and it’s time for all of us concerned about justice and equal rights to demonstrate our resistance to President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda, his super-rich Cabinet nominees and the Republican-controlled Congress.

Trump has spoken openly about his hostility to people of color — Asians, Mexicans, African-Americans — and to women and Muslims. He only recently agreed that there was Russian hacking of the election. This, along with various restrictions on voting in 33 states and the FBI director’s unseemly intervention during the election, constitute a grave assault on democratic institutions and led Trump’s illegitimate election.

Trump also has proposed the horrific idea of adding more nuclear weapons to our arsenal and restarting an arms race.

I plan to be at the University of Hawaii teach-in and the marches and rallies this Friday and Saturday and hope more people will, too — to jump-start resistance to the depravity of a hopefully short-lived Trump regime.

John Witeck

Kamehameha Heights

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It’s time for liberals to cool the rhetoric

Okay, liberals — can’t we stop with the rhetoric? Your nasty adjectives apply two ways. Enough one-sided bombasts.

Let’s stop this name-calling, act like adults, forget the declamatory remarks. And if you are a proud American, know that “we the people” together are what our country is about.

Yes, I supported and voted for President-elect Donald Trump. I’d do it again.

Now, fellow Americans, stand by!

Betty Berry

Makiki

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Hawaii needs missile defense on its shores

Transforming our missile testing facility on Kauai into a medium-range radar station is ludicrous (“Missile radar ranks over defense,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 14). It’s as if the powers-that-be at the Pentagon never heard of or can’t remember what happened at Pearl Harbor 75 years ago.

Radar, of course, is vital to the security of the Hawaiian Islands. However, being forewarned without being forearmed is not only shortsighted, it’s ridiculous.

With that mentally challenged leader of North Korea about to test a new ballistic missile capable of reaching us and possibly the mainland as well, it makes no sense to depend on interceptor missiles based in Alaska and California to protect us.

Frederick Connolly

Ala Moana

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Isles always a target for hostile countries

Radar over defense is a ridiculous concept (“Missile radar ranks over defense,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 14).

Because of the substantial Hawaii military presence, it always will be a target for countries hostile to the U.S. A local military defense for Hawaii is mandatory.

Milton Allione

Kailua

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Don’t build stadium; finish rail instead

After reading the headline about a new stadium, I wondered why (“New stadium is proposed,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 13). Would we need one without a University of Hawaii football program?

Hardly anybody watches the losing teams anyway. We would be taking on more debt when we are not out of the rail mess and more taxes are in the offing.

Comparing new-construction costs to repair costs over time is illogical. Why not just tear down the old rusty bucket and sell the land to offset the additional millions we need for rail?

Paul Tyksinski

Kailua

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Memorials set up for Dec. 7 civilian losses

Cassandra Aoki’s letter calling for a memorial for the Dec. 7, 1941, civilian casualties is commendable (“Build memorial for civilian casualties,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Jan. 14).

However, these individuals already have memorials at two locations. The World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument has a beautiful outdoor Remembrance Circle, which includes 34 plaques listing the names of civilian and military casualties. At the Hawaii State Library, there is a small granite plaque affixed to the outside entry wall, which was placed there by the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1951, for the 10th anniversary of Dec. 7, 1941.

Nanette Napoleon

Kailua

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First build housing that’s affordable

I agree with “Require builders to build housing, not just pay a fee” (Star-Advertiser, Our View, Jan. 15).

Shouldn’t the city be “for the people” and not the developers? A huge amount of affordable housing is needed immediately. Homelessness is only going to increase. We have enough high-cost housing in Kakaako and all over our island. Until more truly affordable housing is built, no new luxury condominiums or upscale neighborhoods should be allowed.

Rentals are needed, and rents also should be affordable for workers with average and below-average incomes to keep homelessness from growing.

Too many favors are being granted to developers. Help the residents of Hawaii first. Don’t sell us out to the 1 percent.

Jan Adam

Maili