Improve education of youngest keiki

The Star-Advertiser noted the 2017 Kids Count Data Book reported the number of children in Hawaii who are not in preschool increased from 44 percent in 2011 to 52 percent in 2015 (“Lives of isle youths improved, study finds,” June 13). This statistic shows a significant measure of Hawaii’s young children’s well-being generally is headed in a negative direction.

Conversations concerning preschool funding and attendance have been ongoing. When will Hawaii address this critical issue affecting children’s long-term educational success?

We know the great benefit a quality preschool education is to school readiness and later success, especially for children from low-income families. More than 40 states dedicate increased resources to the early years. Hawaii continues to lag. Families must demand that our youngest children deserve better. Do not complain about test scores and poor skills when we are not willing to invest to change this trajectory.

Educational needs of Hawaii’s youngest must be addressed. Do not continue this negative spiral.

Liz Chun

Kaimuki

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Government can’t run like a business

So, while contemplating how and why President Donald Trump is trying to be an authoritarian dictator, the obvious occurred to me. He is trying to run the country like a business.

Except government and governance cannot be run like a business. Public policy requires consensus. Most businesses are run like little dictatorships or by an elite hierarchy. It’s OK to want businesslike efficiency in public policy, but there cannot be a dictator in a democracy.

I’m enjoying the civics lessons that the country is getting, thanks to Trump.

Carl Campagna

Alewa Heights

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Restored seawalls won’t be permanent

Believing that money and power will contain the sea, Oceanit offers to restore the sea retaining walls at Queen’s Surf (“City proceeds on plans to fix sea wall near Waikiki Aquarium,” Star-Advertiser, June 12). It presumes they won’t wash away — again. The $1.8 million to $3.1 million fix will be lost, but Oceanit will retain the fee.

Instead, look at adjoining Kaimana Beach. There the reef protects the beach. Follow the example of Magic Island: Break the waves at the mauka edge of the reef, enhance Publics surf, and create an unwalled, safe sea swimming pond on both sides of the neglected Natatorium.

Robert Tellander

Waikiki

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Make sustainability top public priority

It’s high time our elected officials made sustainability the central tenet of all future policy decisions.

Climate change, pollution, habitat loss, soil erosion and the decline of global fossil fuel resources are putting an ever- increasing strain on both our livelihoods and our quality of life. But sustainability is not just about the environment. It affects everything. It’s about being able to put food on the table, property values, affordable housing, cost of living and creating a resilient economy that sustains jobs. And yet, in many ways, sustainability remains more of a buzzword than a way of life.

Hawaii can and should be a renewable-energy technology capital. The only barrier? Bad policy decisions and a lack of political will. When legislators kill bills aimed at furthering our path toward sustainability because of private-sector connections, political horse-trading and petty spite, theyʻre not doing their jobs.

We deserve better.

Will Caron

Wilhelmina Rise

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No one notices new fees for ratepayers

The answer to rail funding is right in front of us.

Do not increase taxes — instead, simply add fees to electric bills. Assess the “ratepayers,” not the “taxpayers.”

No one will notice because “ratepayers” are not taxpayers.

Afterward, just add more electric-bill fees to fill potholes, replace decrepit bridges, build new schools and repair the deplorable airport. No one will notice.

Gov. David Ige will do this soon, when he signs House Bill 957, thereby moving borrowed ratepayer money into things Ige wants to do with schools (with $33 million in interest payments owed for that same ratepayer- funded money).

Pamela Garrison

Kailua

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Feeling good? Share it with others

I loved reading Christine Donnelly’s “Kokua Line” column on Tamara Barria Montana and her peace project (“Sign holder on Pali Highway told by police to move along,” Star-Advertiser, June 13).

Montana’s alive and well.

Her big smile and exuberant wave just brightened my Sunday mornings, as I went over the Pali to church (I honked in return). I’m glad she’s able to continue sharing her positive energy in other locations.

Lighten up, people, and take in something that’s given freely from the heart.

We’re supposed to pass this good feeling on to others with whom we come in contact. There is so much negativity in our world — we feel it, we read it, and we experience it.

How about brightening someone’s day with a smile, a good morning, a hug, or eye contact with a head nod?

Keep that feel-good feeling rolling on.

Linda Iverson

Moiliili