Bring back the Superferry

As a longtime Hawaii resident, I would be very happy to see the Superferry return.

From the moment the Superferry first sailed in Hawaii, I was excited by the personal and economic opportunities afforded by the vessel.

As a student at the University of Hawaii, I would relish the chance to travel with my classmates without the hassle or cost of taking an airplane.

It’s not just the allure of exploration; it’s the idea of competition. For too long, we’ve been forced to rely on the airline and shipping monopolies for transportation, and then on car rental companies for ground travel.

As a politically active teenager, I recognize the importance of protecting our environment and indigenous species. That’s why I believe that we need a full environmental impact statement to prevent further court challenges.

At the same time, I know that our economy is in serious trouble, and the revival of the Hawaii Superferry would encourage trade between the neighbor islands, provide new economic opportunities and boost government revenue.

We need to bring the Superferry back, but do it correctly and responsibly.

Reject Kagan for Supreme Court

The recent injunction to the Arizona immigration law by Judge Susan Bolton is a clear example of blatant judicial activism. The ruling, that a state law enforcement agent has no authority to enforce federal law, is absurd.

Four Supreme Court Justices recently voted against upholding the Second Amendment. This deviation from the rule of law and failure of our judicial system to uphold the Constitution must stop.

U.S. Sens. Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka have already made the mistake of voting for an activist Supreme Court Justice: Sonia Sotomayor. They should not make the mistake again. They should vote against the confirmation of Elena Kagan. She has never been a judge, she has never tried a case. Her entire history is in support of activist causes, even as the president of the Harvard Law School.

Letter writer seemed selfish

I must take exception to Jason Shield’s letter ("Recreational facilities should be open Fridays," Star-Advertiser, July 24).

Is that word "entitlement" creeping back into our vernacular again?

Is it perhaps that Shield has Fridays off, therefore as a taxpayer the city should keep golf courses open for his convenience?

He recommends utilizing Mondays or Fridays as a furlough day.

What about the taxpayers who have Mondays or Wednesdays off and wish to play golf or take their children to the pool or gym?

Regardless of what day is chosen as a furlough day, it will inconvenience a taxpayer. Perhaps Shield should consider utilizing his Fridays off to pick up litter and beautify Hawaii Kai.

Alcohol, drugs also implicated

I agree with Judy Guffey about the death of Samuel Kassebeer ("Waimanalo death a triple tragedy," Letters, Star-Advertiser, July 28).

What is obviously missing is outrage about the drunken driving or quite possibly drugs and driving.

People who drink or do drugs and drive, take heed. This is what could happen to you.

How would you feel if you caused the death or maiming of someone due to your impairment?

Don’t put your life or the lives of people you love and the lives of people you don’t know at risk.

If you have to drink or do drugs, just don’t drive. Call a taxi, a friend or family member — or call me, please!

Blogger was wrongly fired

The story, "Blog sinks Marine employee’s job," (Star-Advertiser, July 21) seems like a story that enforces the "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" policy of the Navy.

It details how former U.S. Naval Academy graduate and retired Marine captain Gina DiNicolo was fired from her position as a public affairs representative for discussing on her personal blog the behavior by some military personnel during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) naval exercises and training.

I trust that DiNicolo was qualified to act as a public affairs representative, and also qualified to write accurately on her blog.

Should she have disclosed that she was working as a PA for RIMPAC in her blog? Probably.

Should she have gotten fired for speaking the truth? Absolutely not. The truth is the truth.

In addition, if DiNicolo’s statement in her blog that "air assets become personal taxis transporting their fares from vessel to vessel" is indeed true, I as a taxpaying resident do not appreciate this.

Our naval commanders are responsible for the behavior of their crews on vessels and off vessels. If the command cannot control folks under their watch, then this can become an international issue.

I hope Cmdr. Greg Hicks will more closely assess what is really going on with his watch. Maybe the wrong person got fired.