The front-page article, “Vanishing Voters” (Star-Advertiser, Aug. 15) noted a lack of competition and meaningful choices in the primary election. Attribute that to absent Republicans and a Democratic Party in control for decades offering the same “progressive” nostrums.

In the governor’s race, there was no ideological difference between Democrat front-runners, leaving voters with a personality contest. The incumbent had Mother Nature to thank for his victory, offering him opportunities to appear on TV almost daily exhibiting leadership at flood and volcano sites.

However, there may be welcome changes in our voting futures. The Democrat winner in the race for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives opening ran as a middle-of-the-road, consensus- seeking Democrat, a rarity in Hawaii politics. The winner bested other candidates who thought that framing campaigns around partisan challenges in Washington would be winning strategies.

Such real choices and a more involved Republican Party will solve the voter-turnout problem.

Tom Freitas

Hawaii Kai

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Spectrum cable box eats up electricity

My Spectrum digital cable box has a green light that is on 24/7. The bar graph on my electricity bill went up compared to previous months.

I suspect we are paying about $7 to $10 more a month for electricity. Ten dollars a month times half a million customers sounds like a windfall for Hawaiian Electric at a time when we’re all supposed to be conserving energy.

After two years, we’ll be paying $8 a month to rent a box that probably cost $10 or less to assemble. It looks like a windfall for Spectrum, too.

Did I mention they took away the free Hawaiian music on the channel guide? We now pay $34 a month for 12 channels. Thanks, Spectrum.

Is there anyone in government checking on this waste of energy and fleecing of the general public? Oh, I forgot. It’s an election year.

Barry Chambers

Wahiawa

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Politicians shouldn’t ‘bully’ Harry Kim

Thanks to David Shapiro for his incisive column regarding House Speaker Scott Saiki and House Finance Committee Chairwoman Sylvia Luke and their “bullying” tactics with the ailing Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim and his request for lava-flow aid (“Political snits snarl recovery in Big Isle eruption disaster,” Star-Advertiser, Volcanic Ash, Aug. 12).

Of all the people to harangue. Kim is one of the rare heroes in Hawaii politics. His very heart and health beats to the same rhythms of the Big Island. I was disgusted to read of their behavior. It reminded me of the last time I was so repulsed.

It was none other than U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa herself in 2007, when she chided Superferry officials and Gov. Linda Lingle for not showing proper deference for her power in the Legislature. No humility, no aloha, now hopefully no more Hanabusa hostility.

Shelly Stitham

Kealakekua, Hawaii island

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Outrageous talk not limited to Brennan

“Unfounded and outrageous allegations, wild outbursts on the internet and television … lying and recent conduct characterized by increasingly frenzied commentary …”

These are quotes from President Donald Trump’s statement describing the conduct and justifying the revocation of former CIA chief John Brennan’s security clearance, read by press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders (“Access denied,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 16).

Are Trump and his White House aides blind to the irony of these charges? Have they no abilities of self-reflection?

Sorry. Stupid questions.

John Wythe White

Haleiwa

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Vote for Ige not based on gender

I assure you that my lack of a vote for U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa had nothing to do with gender bias (“With women losing major races, some question role of gender bias,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 15). All things being equal, I always vote for the female.

Going way back, I thought that Hanabusa’s vote against Margery Bronster for a second term as state attorney general was a bad decision, and it bothered me a lot. The Ko Olina thing may have been legally OK, but it didn’t sit right with me. Hanabusa certainly has name recognition, because she seems to be constantly running for some office. I thought she should stay where she was.

Gender bias had nothing to do with my vote for Gov. David Ige.

Jan Newhart

Waikiki

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Renovated Wo Fat will need parking

I celebrate the new plans to renovate the historic Wo Fat building (“New prosperity envisioned for downtown’s Wo Fat building,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 13). The planned restaurants, shops and hotel will require many parking spaces. Did the developers consider parking?

Aloha Tower Marketplace failed due to lack of convenient access to parking.

Leonard Wong

Alewa Heights

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Chinatown needs help against crime

Crime in Chinatown is rising and people no longer wish to visit the area in the evenings because they feel unsafe.

I don’t blame them for feeling that way. As a resident I have seen the rapid decline in public safety. Although I try to reassure folks that Chinatown is a great place to hang out and explore, many are still hesitant to come by. If we do not clean up our streets and prevent crime, our businesses and residents are going to suffer more than they already are.

One solution would be to increase funding for the Honolulu Police Department and allow for hiring, training and equipping more patrols that could be deployed in our historic district.

We have to take preventative measures now so that we can avoid more unnecessary purse thefts, vehicle break-ins and deaths.

Chinatown is a fantastic place and rich in culture. We need to do more to protect it today so people can enjoy it well into the future.

James Logue

Chinatown