3-D gun-plans suit a waste of time

Here we go again. Kilauea continues to erupt, but politicians in Hawaii have decided that a 3-D printed firearm is an “explosive” enough issue to justify our joining other states in their lawsuit to ban the online distribution of instructions for printing the guns (“Hawaii among 19 states opposing online plans for 3D-printed guns,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 4).

Haven’t we already spent enough of our time and money on former Attorney General Douglas Chin’s dud of a lawsuit seeking to overturn President Donald Trump’s travel ban? Certainly there are other ways for politicians to prove their worth, like fixing our roads or fixing the problem of homelessness.

If they could figure out a way to do that, they wouldn’t need to file any more of these frivolous lawsuits.

Edward D. Lasky

Hawaii Kai

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Gun threat shows need for control

The “open carry” gun law allowed by a federal appeals court thanks to George Young Jr., is truly frightening.

My former husband was an avid gun collector, but only shot his weapons at approved gun ranges. However, one night, years ago, we had an argument and he got one of his guns and threateningly pointed it at me. There’s nothing more frightening than being at the receiving end of a gun barrel.

Somehow, galvanized by shock, I grabbed the gun, stalked out the front door, and threw it up on our garage roof. That experience is seared into my mind and cured me of any Second Amendment sentiments. I am truly for gun control in every possible way.

One can only hope Young never finds himself on the receiving end of a gun barrel, since he so sincerely feels he should carry one openly.

Gladys Lucas

Mililani

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Ige’s leadership an issue in 2015

The Democratic gubernatorial primary was shaped by Gov. David Ige’s leadership, not the NextEra buyout or any other policy matter. I was looking for someone to run against him by the middle of 2015.

By then, Ige had canceled the state Department of Transportation’s computer modernization project, wasting more than $13 million of taxpayer money and thousands of hours of state employees’ work. He diminished the governor’s policy office, which hurt the smaller departments and agencies. He nominated Carleton Ching, a prominent developer, to lead state Department of Land and Natural Resources, the very department Ching had battled against over the years. He ignored the advice of his Cabinet members and the expertise of their staff.

Some said to give Ige more time and he would polish his leadership skills. Then there were his responses to Randall Saito’s escape, the false ballistic missile warning and the “erroneous release” of Brian Lee Smith, all of which showed he is in the wrong job.

Michael Golojuch Jr.

Makakilo

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Hanabusa quit twice, so forget it

I am voting for Gov. David Ige; I think he is doing a very good job and should continue as our governor.

I voted for Colleen Hanabusa to represent me in the U.S. House; she quit to run for the U.S. Senate.

I voted for Hanabusa to represent me in the U.S. House; she quit again to run for governor.

She has let me down twice. I will not vote for her again.

Virginia Hollingsworth

Waipahu

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Schatz defends Times tweeter

It is likely that many Hawaii citizens are unaware of U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz’s Twitter endorsement of a controversial editorial board hire by The New York Times.

Schatz (@brianschatz) tweeted: “I’m with @sarahjeong. Enjoy your weekend.”

Sarah Jeong is controversial because she has a rich history of vehemently racist tweets that her defenders claim are being taken out of context. This defense is without merit; the sheer number and ferocity of her tweets are a clear indicator of a morbid bias, if not actual hate. Rather than repeat Jeong’s vitriol, I would encourage the reader to investigate this issue online.

Scott G. Gier

Ewa Beach

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New Zealand schools first-rate

Kahi Pacarro’s observations and experiences on an island off Auckland, New Zealand, followed what most locals do anyway: clean up, collaborate, take responsibility and recycle (“Kahi Pacarro,” Star-Advertiser, Name in the News, July 29). This can be attributed to New Zealand’s school system.

The Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii executive director can visit any high school and note that what sets them apart from the American preference for private/parochial schools: All secondary school students wear uniforms with pride and spirit.

The conscientiousness was always there even when I used to visit Waiheke as a teenager. That’s why I have always believed that Hawaii should emulate other countries’ school systems, not other states’.

Peter Tali Coleman Jr.

Makiki