As I watched the coverage of the total solar eclipse move across the mainland, I saw thousands of Americans laughing, cheering and applauding during totality. Many marveled at the awe and wonder of this celestial event.

I found it ironic that it took an act of nature to unite us. Given the incident in Charlottesville, Va., and the divisiveness in this country, nature had a way of saying: “You are the United States of America, not the Divided States. When you respect one another, look at the joy and happiness you share. For a few fleeting minutes, it was a privilege to show you your potential. Take care.”

Enough said.

Robert K. Soberano

Moiliili

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Strong stands taken against supremacists

Boston can be proud of its mayor, its police force and its relevant, peaceful civil protest (“Massive counterprotest upstages Boston ‘free speech rally,’” Star-Advertiser, Top News, Aug. 19).

And Hawaii can be proud of its own Attorney General Douglas Chin, federal district Judge David Watson, U.S. Reps. Tulsi Gabbard and Colleen Hanabusa, U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono and — most recently and eloquently — U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz.

They represent us well with their thoughtful, clear responses to President Donald Trump and their strong stands against hateful white supremacist philosophies, policies and actions.

Jean S. Gochros

Kahala Nui

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Freedom of speech belongs to all of us

We are experiencing a great increase in organized violence in America. We have the far right versus the far left, and when these two groups cross paths there is confrontation, and in some instances violence and death.

I was watching the news about the violence and the death that occurred in Charlottesville, Va., and noticed one important factor. All the attention was on the far-right groups such as the neo-Nazis and Ku Klux Klan, which had a legal permit to conduct a demonstration. Very little was said about the far-left counter-demonstrators.

A lot of people in America have forgotten, or ignore, the fact that all the freedoms and liberties we enjoy in our country apply to everyone. Period. It is not OK to express your opinions, but then deny that freedom to someone who disagrees with you. I’ve seen this in videos posted online, but not in the mainstream media. The slanted reporting of events is polarizing and destroying America.

Dickie Au

Wahiawa

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Confederate rebels were traitors to U.S.

Todd Offutt said we should not disgrace or desecrate Confederate statues and monuments because the rebels were “brothers and sisters, cousins and neighbors” (“Respect and honor sacrifices of the past,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Aug. 18).

What he fails to mention is that they were also traitors who declared war on the United States. As a veteran myself, I do not find this worthy of either our respect or our honor.

If we must keep these monuments for their historical value, they should be in museums where they can be exhibited in an appropriate historical context. But by displaying them in public spaces, particularly in government buildings, we are telling the world what we, as a people, approve of.

I, personally, approve of neither treason nor slavery. I’m pretty sure I’m not alone.

Andrew Thomas

Moiliili

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Rail project a ploy to raise GET for good

Rail is a clever con to raise the general excise tax.

Whether the rail ends at Middle Street or Ala Moana, the yearly maintenance cost will be $120 million. So where will they find the money? Oh, wait, why don’t we make the GET surcharge permanent to pay for maintenance?

A second freeway could have been built for $10 billion. As it is now, the lucky few will ride rail while the rest of us will sit in traffic.

Aarion Lee

Liliha

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Don’t extend rail until audit is done

I totally agree with David Shapiro’s excellent column (“Management, not funding, of rail needs to be explored,” Star-Advertiser, Volcanic Ash, Aug. 20).

No more funds for rail. Shapiro wisely suggests that the Legislature appoint a panel of “honest brokers” to oversee a priority rail audit. In the meantime, complete with present funds to Middle Street.

Thanks, David.

Patricia Blair

Kailua

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Property tax hikes unfair to seniors

I certainly agree that our property tax rate needs to be adjusted, to be fair to homeowners, especially a person on a fixed income.

My husband and I are both disabled and city officials know it and yet, they still raised our property tax this year. I’m sure they did it to many others like us.

Too many of our leaders cave in to pressure and money. They don’t give a hoot.

We own a couple of rentals and rent very cheap, and no improvements were made to the properties. Yet, the rate went up; it should have gone down.

We are in our 80s. Honolulu is not the paradise it used to be. What a shame.

Marietta Mattoon

Liliha

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Chinatown needs 4-way stop signs

The new pedestrian crossings in Chinatown are very dangerous. There are several vertical components that camouflage a pedestrian. This is like trying to find a pedestrian in a thick forest instead of a freshly mowed pasture. I have many times almost had my toes run over by drivers who never saw me. What is needed are four-way stop signs.

I’m appalled some people and politicians think the right to park illegally for leis and manapua is more important than pedestrian safety. Obviously, they don’t live here. I guess someone will have to get killed so we can take this matter seriously.

Richard Elstner

Chinatown