Gluck would have served well on ICA

Shockingly, the broader conclusion from the recent Intermediate Court of Appeals nomina- tion hearing is that Caucasians, and/or males, must be automatically disqualified (by their own forced hand, or others) from the bench (“Nominee Daniel Gluck, for appeals court faces criticism, praise, questions of inequity,” Star-Advertiser, July 28).

In fact, during the vetting a few state-paid politicians and professionals went even further, saying or implying that any “transplants” or “settlers” are similarly unqualified since they lack an authentic (born) sense of place and values in Hawaii.

The irony of this discrimination is that Gluck’s career has served all the people of Hawaii, fighting discrimination against the voiceless and powerless. Given Gluck’s expertise (in civil rights, government ethics and courts), and now unwarranted first-hand experience, he might easily file suit against the state.

However, given his humble integrity, I predict that Gluck will continue his selfless service to the state, despite the color of his skin, and because of the content of his character.

Matthew Tuthill

Kaimuki

Mandates lack input from the citizenry

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is issuing a new, “temporary” moratorium on evictions, the agency announced Tuesday. The new moratorium will be separate from the CDC’s prior eviction moratorium that expired recently.

The latest moratorium order could face legal challenges, after the Supreme Court determined the Biden administration couldn’t extend the previous moratorium eviction through executive action.

At what point does a mandate or moratorium become a law? If you can be fined or jailed, there is a penalty, and it is essentially a law. The problem is a mandate does not go through the legislative process. Therefore, there is no input from “the people.”

You remember them, the citizens who elected you? What happened to our democracy?

James Pritchett

Pahoa, Hawaii island

Don’t count on campaign stash

Although I am not a Kirk Caldwell supporter, I would like to remind the armchair experts that David Ige spent around $500,000 on his campaign in the governor’s race in 2014 (“Former Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s gubernatorial campaign faces early fundraising challenge,” Star-Advertiser, Aug.4). However, he defeated the incumbent governor, Neil Abercrombie, who spent millions, by more than 20 percentage points.

I think that the voters are tired of the constant pleas for donations and the slick ads and that the next election is going to be decided by ideas and personal contact.

Linda Estes

Koloa, Kauai

Aalto a good choice for HART board

David Shapiro’s lambasting the nomination of Anthony Aalto to the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board was an obvious hatchet job (“Honolulu City Council’s new rail board nominee owes key rail interests,” Star-Advertiser, Volcanic Ash, July 25).

I’ve rarely seen anyone so unjustly maligned. Aalto’s films are informative, compelling journalism that point out incompetence, injustice and complacency on the part of government and industry. His op-ed pieces in your own paper make it clear he’s an advocate for sensibility and good governance.

For example, you ran his column that recommended we change the rail route, return part of our general excise tax hike to the poorest 100,000 families on the island, and make HART energy self-sufficient, to free it from the outrageous prices Hawaiian Electric plans to charge the rail system (“Rail rationale is solid, so be creative,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, April 23, 2017). How any of that vision serves “rail interests” is beyond me.

Shame on you for permitting such an attack. Aalto speaks truth to power regularly — exactly the type of person needed on the HART board.

Larry Lieberman

Kamilo Iki

Police dispatchers serve public well

I’m a newly retired police dispatcher with the Honolulu Police Department.

I promised my co-workers, my dispatch family, I would write this letter to the public when I retired. So here goes.

Did you ever wonder why it takes so long for your calls to be answered? The answer is budget cuts.

Did you know during the day shift there are maybe three people answering non-emergency calls and maybe two people on emergency calls for the entire island?

You may wonder why the person you’re talking to is grouchy and trying to rush your call through. It could be that we have a lot of calls on hold, we are working 12-hour shifts, or we are waiting for someone to break us just so we can use the bathroom.

Try working in our situation and maybe you’ll understand why the dispatcher you’re talking to isn’t happy either.

We are human, too, and have put our own lives on hold working during COVID-19, sometimes without the proper care. But we are still here for you and will continue to work hard to service each call.

Ann Andres

Ewa Beach

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