WILL TAXPAYERS PAY FOR INCOMPETENCE?

I was shocked to read that HPD's new firing range is now three years overdue and has almost a 100 percent cost overrun (Advertiser, May 24). I'd like to believe that the overrun will be picked up somewhere else in HPD's budget but I fear that it will more likely come from the apparently bottomless pit of the taxpayer's money.

The Department of Design and Construction director "did not return repeated messages" — I'll bet he didn't. The City Council budget committee chairman "was not available to comment." — I'll bet he wasn't.

Who signed off on the cost overruns? Who designed the building that "has ventilation problems" so it can't open?

Anyone going to get fired for incompetence? And, don't all you voters forget, these are the folks who are going to bring in the multi-billion-dollar rail project within budget. Don't hold your breath!

Keith Patterson | Kailua

TAX OFFENDERS

LET'S NOT REWARD DISHONEST CITIZENS

State of Hawai'i Tax Director Kurt Kawafuchi is telling deadbeat and dishonest people who owe taxes from the year 2008 back to the beginning of time that it's OK. Just waltz in, pay the taxes and interest due and the state will erase any and all penalties. The deadbeats have until June 26 to take advantage of this "reward" for disobeying tax laws.

Well, Mr. Kawafuchi, on behalf of all the honest taxpayers, I ask you, what do we get for being law-abiding citizens? I think I know. The state will give us the proverbial "finger."

I am sick to death of rewarding the irresponsible and giving a bonus to the irresponsible.

Diane Tippett | Honolulu

POWER PLANT

HU HONUA WOULD POLLUTE COMMUNITY

For the good of the public health, especially our children, the power plant at Pepe'ekeo on the Big Island should not be re-started as Hu Honua is planning to do. The latest research on power plants is clear that they should not be built in close proximity to residential communities or schools. Certainly, clean renewable energy is needed for our future.

However, biomass emits numerous harmful pollutants, such as: particulate matter, nitrous oxides, sulfur dioxides, volatile organic compounds, and carbon dioxide. This proposed plant is not carbon neutral. Furthermore, the trucks that this company would use would pollute with gas emissions and noise.

I hope the leaders who represent the people in this community will say no to this power plant. There are more efficient ways to produce alternative energy that will not pollute our residential and school communities. HELCO admits there is no energy shortage in East Hawai'i.

Please protect Pepe'ekeo, Hamakua, Hilo, and other nearby schools and communities from the Hu Honua power plant.

B. Christopher Frueh | Pahoa, Hawai'i

UH BASEBALL

COACHING STAFF ARE TRUE CHAMPIONS

I am writing to say that University of Hawai'i Athletics Director Jim Donovan has gone the extra yard by extending the contract of baseball coach Mike Trapasso. Coach Trap has done a wonderful job as coach and has followed in the large and hallowed steps of coach Murakami quite well, and he and his staff are champions in my book. Coach Trap has filled his teams with quality young men who have been competitive every year, and have shown improvement toward that ultimate goal of playing in the College World Series.

This year's finish was a bit disappointing, but I have faith that coach Trap and his assistants Chad Konishi and Keith Komeiji will be able to make the adjustments necessary for next year. Just watching this exciting team perform, and seeing how they interact with the community, especially with the young ball players who hang out near the dugout during games, tells me that the right players are being recruited and are being trained by a quality coaching staff. Championships are great, but they are not the only measure of true champions.

William Bento | Honolulu

PADDLEBOARDERS

DLNR SOLUTION UNFAIR TO SWIMMERS

The Department of Land and Natural Resources has proposed an unworkable and shortsighted solution to the increasing use of Ala Moana Beach lagoon by stand-up paddlers; a line of potentially unsightly buoys will divide the length of the channel.

Swimmers find to their disbelief and dismay that they are limited to the narrow shallow zone along the shore, while the majority is given to paddleboarders to use as a racetrack. This essentially cuts off all deep-water swimmers, divers, snorkelers and fishermen from the reef area.

It does nothing to protect swimmers because the boards are allowed to enter the water anywhere, anytime across the swimming channel. Swimmers decidedly did not agree to this "solution" by DLNR and felt railroaded by special interests. Thinly disguised commercial operators sponsor demo-days, classes and "free lessons" to sell or rent boards.

The numbers and interests of swimmers were severely underestimated and now DLNR is proposing to use this unsafe and unfair "resolution" as a model for other ocean areas on O'ahu and the other islands.

The use, weight, operation and speed of a paddleboard are more like a boat than a surfboard and should be so regulated by DLNR.

Malia Flynn | Honolulu