A recent editorial listed many merits of red-light cameras (“Give red-light cams fair chance to work,” Star-Advertiser, Our View, June 20).

However, there is a serious flaw in a system which only photographs cars from the rear. For instance, new vehicles that do not have permanent plates (do all new cars get a pass?), or vehicles with stolen or switched license plates (does anyone check if their rear license plate is in place before driving off?), or borrowed vehicles (including rental car companies).

How in the world would the owner of a cited vehicle prove that he was not the offending driver? With no photo of the driver, the offense is attributable to the owner, who is guilty until proven innocent. This is tantamount to charging the owner of a firearm used in a crime rather than the actual culprit who fired the weapon.

Let’s address this issue before proceeding into a morass.

Ron Yoda

Hawaii Kai

Bring back nonbinary ‘one’ as a pronoun

The nonbinary are embracing “they” as their pronoun of choice to describe themselves. I would like to offer “one” as an alternative. What could be more nonbinary than “one”?

When nonbinary persons describe their experience, my sense is not that they have a plural identity, it is that their singular identity does not fit into the binary choice of feminine or masculine.

Then there is my whole grammar hang-up. Do I say “they is,” since “they” is singular, or do I remain grammatically correct and say “they are” rendering my communication misleading?

When I was a child, “one” was still in use. It was not common, but it was used. This seems an ideal time to revive it.

Every time I use “they,” I feel I am describing someone with multiple personalities rather than a person with singular integrity. I offer “one” as my tribute to this courage.

Jo-Ann Adams

Waikiki

Achievements can earn someone’s pride

I don’t care if you are LGBT or Q. Pride does not come from your sexual preference. It comes from accomplishing something. Save a life, win a gold medal, get a degree, build something, help someone.

Then I’ll be proud of you.

Barbara Anneken-Nall

Kaneohe

Restore bus route as people return to work

I would like to add my voice to those who have expressed displeasure at TheBus taking away our Express route (80A), with essentially no notice and no ability to come together as riders to protest (“Don’t discontinue TheBus Route 80A,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, May 30).

We are set to return to the office in two weeks and our pleas have thus far not resulted in any action. This route has existed since the 1990s, taking people directly to the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus. To cancel it because of low ridership numbers during a pandemic, when the campus was shuttered down, makes no sense.

All of us literally find ourselves trying to figure out how to get to campus. The likely answer for many will be more cars on the road.

I humbly ask that the city and TheBus please give us back our bus route.

Jeremy Rasor

Hawaii Kai

HPD needs quality applicants for chief

As the Honolulu Police Department faces challenging times ahead, I urge all qualified applicants to apply for the chief of police position.

Yes, it will be a challenge, but that is why we need applicants who dare to accept the challenge of providing leadership to the department, have the ability to communicate with the public, deal with the union on discipline issues, reevaluate rules and regulations, promote those who have served, and exhibit the culture of serving with aloha.

Be an individual who can deal with criticism by working through those concerns, knowing it’s good for the public and the department, and be willing to adjust if criticism warrants change.

The screening process will be rough but that’s how the Honolulu Police Commission will decide on who can lead HPD.

The job is tough, but the public will support and thank you for serving.

Leonard Leong

Manoa

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