Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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EditorialLetters

Return to politics of cooperation

In a few short weeks, we will be once again inundated with campaign literature, cards left on our doors, TV, radio and print news. Most will tell me how the candidate will fight for me or for the city, the state or the U.S.

C’mon, candidates, there has been too much fighting in the City Council, the state Legislature and in the U.S. Congress. Where has it got us?

I want the candidates to tell me they will work their okoles off for me, the city, state or U.S. I want the candidates to tell me about — horror of horrors — crossing the aisle and speaking with a person of another party, offering to cooperate, compromise and discuss so as to arrive at a conclusion.

It worked before — with people like Tip O’Neill, Ronald Reagan, Bob Dole and Everett Dirkson — and things got done.

Let’s start the day after the election with the City Council, state legislators and the four who will represent us in Washington.

Gentlepersons once again.

Arg Bacon
Kahala

News stories inflate Aiona’s chances

You have twice repeated the claim that James “Duke” Aiona is leading state Sen. David Ige in public opinion polls, but this is based on an obsolete and inaccurate survey you conducted 10 days before the primary election (“National GOP committee invests in isles,” Star-Advertiser, Sept. 7; “Aiona vows to win trust of electorate, renew respect,” Star-Advertiser, Sept. 8).

The poll you cited is not only old, done at the end of July, but it under-predicted Ige’s margin over Gov. Neil Abercrombie at 18 percent instead of the actual 36 percent, a gross error rendering your other results useless.

After Ige’s historic landslide, the public obviously has much greater awareness and respect for him than in late July when the poll was conducted, yet you repeat the flawed poll as if it were gospel and done yesterday.

Ige’s campaign has gained tremendous momentum as people realize his many outstanding qualities, which has probably put him way ahead.

By falsely claiming Aiona is ahead you artificially manufacture an exaggerated status for him, which subverts the political process and distorts the truth.

Dennis Callan
Punchbowl

Put players’ names on football jerseys

I am so glad to see the University of Hawaii football team playing its heart out again. I know coming off a 1-11 season can be very demoralizing, but the team’s efforts in the first two games should be applauded.

My biggest gripe watching the first two games is the lack of identification on the players’ jerseys. These are young adult men who should be recognized and proud to display their names on the back of their jerseys. These players are role models and an inspiration for young athletes in Hawaii.

Make it easier for fans to identify these unique athletes who have earned the honor and privilege to put on a UH uniform.

I think all our players should be treated as “all-stars” and have their names put back on their jerseys.

Stan Higa
Kaimuki

It’s ‘Honolulu,’ not ‘Hanalulu’

Listening to the sports commentators calling the University of Hawaii games and welcoming everyone to “Hanalulu” is so disconcerting.

Throughout the games they kept saying, “Hanalulu.” And these guys have been coming to Hawaii for a long time. It’s a wonder no one has told them how to correctly pronounce Honolulu.

How do you get an “a” out of an “o” in Honolulu? It’s not like they have to pronounce Keeaumoku or Kalanianaole or Honoapiilani. We can forgive that if they mess up, but Honolulu has been out there forever. It’s the capital of Hawaii. It is one of the easiest Hawaiian words to pronounce, if you do it phonetically, like we are taught in school.

Yet I have heard these media people mispronounce Honolulu every time they come here. Analysts on the mainland and the morning shows also commonly mispronounce it.

With aloha, it is our kuleana to educate them on how to correctly pronounce: HO-NO-LU-LU.

Rose Carpio
Nuuanu

HECO’s proposal just a money grab

The state Public Utilities Commission should turn down Hawaiian Electric Co.’s latest proposal, since it is a money grab at the expense of people who have paid tens of thousands to install solar.

Solar users already pay much more than $55 each month, plus it will take them many years to recover their initial outlay of funds before they realize any savings from generating their own electricity. Also, each year on the anniversary of many solar installations, HECO takes back into its system any excess electricity that was generated over the year and not used and they don’t pay a dime for this.

The PUC also needs to take into consideration that during the winter months, sunshine isn’t as abundant as during the summer and many solar users use HECO’s generated electricity, again paying much more than $55 a month.

Tom Arnone
Waipahu

No special deals for PV owners

It is unfair and downright discrimination for non-photovoltaic ratepayers to pay for Hawaiian Electric Co.’s lost profits.

I’m glad HECO plans to make PV owners pay their fair share of being connected to the grid.

If they don’t like it, get off the grid.

Delwyn Ching
Mililani Mauka

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