Olelo channels move unnecessary, wrong

Spectrum intends to move Olelo channels out to “channel Siberia” at the farthest end of the lineup (channels in the 180s).

Like other corporate raiders without shame or conscience, Spectrum claims it works for us, hiding evidence it is proactively working to do exactly the opposite, as it did on the mainland.

This action will result in a drastically smaller Olelo, reducing Olelo’s ability to be the local voice for local concerns and local culture and a big blow to freedom of speech in Hawaii.

The viewers will have difficulty finding Olelo.

Spectrum’s move is totally unnecessary. Hawaiian Telcom isn’t doing it.

Daniela Minerbi

Moiliili

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Keep apartments on Maui affordable

Our island communities are in dire need of affordable housing. The situation on Front Street on Maui is one of many examples and an important one.

Senate Bill 2293 warrants our strong support. The bill aims to prevent the loss of these affordable units and secure this housing for the tenants. It also provides financing so that, if necessary, the state could buy the property and preserve it as affordable housing and do the same in similar instances.

Hawaii has the highest rate of homelessness in the nation. Allowing the loss of the Front Street units will harm the tenants and aggravate the already horrendous epidemic of homelessness in Hawaii.

John Witeck

Kamehameha Heights

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Cabs need plan for pedestrian accidents

On Jan. 17, at approximately 4:30 p.m., I was on my way to Don Quijote. While crossing the intersection at Kaheka and Makaloa streets, in the crosswalk, a cab driver ran a red light and ran into me.

The impact stunned me. He stopped and asked if I was okay.

I said, I think so. I asked him if he knew he ran a red light and he said yes, and that he was sorry. Then he drove away.

I want to advise the cab companies to educate their drivers to stop when they run into a human being and make sure everything really is okay, and to leave contact information. I was so stunned that I did not get the name of the cab company. When I realized I should get his tag number, he was driving off with several customers aboard.

I felt fortunate to have walked away from this incident, as there are many people hit by cars and they die.

Rebecca Puglia

Waikiki

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Politicians should listen to constituents

According to most of the polls taken during Donald Trump’s first year as president, only about one-third of Americans supported his rather inane attempts to disparage everyone and divide families, cities, states and nations.

Earlier this month, the House voted on a motion to impeach Trump, yet there were only 66 yeas (two from Hawaii) versus 355 nays, very clearly establishing that Congress could not care less about its constituents or the welfare of this nation. Instead, focus was — and is — wholly on lining their own pockets while protecting their political party.

For democracy to succeed, voters need to pay considerably more attention to candidates for Congress.

Rico Leffanta

Kakaako

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Wind turbines deface Hawaii

Offshore wind farms are a boondoggle. Do you really believe that the manufacture, installation, maintenance and operation of wind turbines has a smaller carbon footprint than cheap, clean-burning natural gas that is in abundant supply?

Gov. David Ige is committed to 100 percent renewable energy, which means higher energy costs for Hawaii residents. Look at the ugliness of wind turbines on the North Shore. When will we stop defacing Hawaii’s natural beauty?

Burt Myers

Kapolei

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Don’t let bureaucrats have warning button

Oahu is unique in that every branch of the U.S. armed forces is represented on the island. The Pacific Command (PACOM) is also here. It has oversight over all the military operations in the Pacific and would know first-hand if a missile is headed our way.

Then there’s the Hawaii Air National Guard (HIANG) that functions militarily under PACOM but whose commander-in-chief during peacetime happens to be the governor.

HIANG operates a 24/7 air defense center with the responsibility of defending the state of Hawaii against attack. Gov. David Ige should consider relocating the attack alert warning system to that facility. Pushing “the button” shouldn’t be a bureaucratic decision.

Moses Akana

Aiea

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North Korea won’t launch missile attack

Everyone makes mistakes. Granted the false alert was a doozie, but if we all had to pay with our jobs or lives for making mistakes, we would be frozen in inaction. We should count our blessings that there was no real attack and look at the good that came of it. It revealed systemic faults that can be corrected, procedures that should be changed and needed lines of communication.

Kim Jong Ung may be evil, but he’s not really crazy. A nuclear attack on us would end his regime and his country.

North Korea is not technically capable of accurately hitting a small target in the middle of the Pacific. If it meant to attack, there are more accurate means of getting a nuclear device to the target: aboard a commercial aircraft, a ship container or submarine.

Such matters are beyond our control. We will all die someday. Meanwhile, let’s try to find happiness and give happiness.

Michael Lee

Wilhelmina Rise

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What about HI-EMA death threats?

With the official investigation of the missile false alarm completed, what has been done about the death threats made to the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency?

I haven’t read or heard about this matter since it was initially mentioned about two weeks ago. It should be addressed as soon as possible and the offender(s) charged and prosecuted. This kind of stuff should not be tolerated.

Emmett T. Higa

Pearl City