The president of the United States complained about immigrants from “shithole” countries, but welcomed immigrants from countries like Norway. He was clearly referring to people who are black, brown and non-white. There is no other reasonable interpretation.

For the people of Hawaii, the majority of whom are not white or haole, Donald Trump’s attitude is dangerous, destructive of America’s stature in the world and plainly racist. No wonder he considered the neo-Nazi bigots in Charlottesville, N.C., who chanted hateful slogans against Jews, to be “good people.”

For those who continue to defend and support Trump, remember that most of our neighbors and friends and, in some cases, our relatives could very well have come from countries Trump would consider “shithole” countries, like the Philippines, Vietnam and, perhaps, depending on his mood, other Asian countries.

Francis M. Nakamoto

Moanalua Valley

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President presides over strong economy

If I told you that after the tax cut bill was approved, more than 130 companies, including Walmart, gave bonuses, raises or increased benefits to more that 2 million workers; that nearly 90 percent of the population will get tax cuts; that unemployment benefits are at a record 17-year low; that more than 2 million jobs were added this year, and consumer sentiment is at the highest level since 2000 — and if I told you that Barack Obama was president, most Hawaii residents would be thrilled.

If the Quinnipiac Poll reported that 66 percent of Americans feel the economy is excellent or good, the manufacturing index is the highest ever, ISIS has been 98 percent defeated, the VA system has been upgraded, illegal immigration is down 70 percent, and the rich will be paying more taxes because they cannot use all their numerous deductions, you would be doing high-fives extolling Obama.

Sorry! This happened under Donald Trump’s presidency.

Gary R. Johnson

Kaneohe

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Obama’s policies strengthened nation

It’s sad to see people giving President Donald Trump credit for President Barack Obama’s economy. With no help from Republicans, Obama pulled the U.S. economy out of a deep recession, nudged the economy into a boom cycle, and sent unemployment plunging.

Local banks increasing wages is more a function of public and peer pressure. Once one bank said $15, the rest of the banks had to follow or lose their best young employees.

Remember the fast-food workers’ agitation for a $15 minimum wage?

The Republican tax cuts for the rich had little to do with the decision to part with some of the profits from the Obama economy, upon which the banks are sitting.

Melvin Sakamoto

Palolo

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LNG a fossil fuel we don’t need

I fervently endorse the excellent article by Brodie Lockard that clearly defends the critical need to focus our efforts on the installing and using of renewable energies (“Compared to renewables, LNG isn’t clean or cost-effective,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Jan. 11).

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is merely another fossil fuel that will continue to add ever more CO2 into our already saturated atmosphere.

Climate change is happening. Just look at the natural disasters that are occurring around the world.

Can we not supplant the greed of the fossil-fuel industry with some compassion for the many species (think humans) that will suffer in the near and far future?

We have the chance to be a world leader by setting an example of 100 percent renewable energy by 2045. Renewables are the key to reaching that goal —not LNG.

Bill Metzger

Manoa

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LNG better than current alternatives

Brodie Lockard’s commentary on liquefied natural gas (LNG) contained a significant amount of misinformation (“Compared to renewables, LNG isn’t clean or cost-effective,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Jan. 11).

He failed to mention any data on the cost to get to 100 percent renewables and its effect on Hawaii citizens; that by opposing LNG we are ensuring that based on the state’s existing roadmap, Hawaii will continue to burn massive amounts of dirtier and more expensive oil for power generation for at least the next 25 years; and that opposition to LNG from environmental groups such as 350.org is primarily because it is seen as a clear and present danger to a 100 percent renewable world.

The last point is particularly important as natural gas is abundant, cleaner and cheaper than oil. Coal and oil are easy to hit on the head. Natural gas, not so much.

Shasha Fesharaki

Kailua

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Elderly powerless against fireworks

No sense writing in and complaining.

I’m 87 years old and jump every time the bombs go off; it’s bad for us old people. But what can we do about fireworks? Money talks. Do you think they care? Their pockets are full. Nobody cares.

When one of their homes burns down, maybe then they’ll pass a tougher law.

Clara Torres

Waipahu