Kudos to all working to clean Kaneohe reef

The article in the Star-Advertiser ("Sea urchins bred to clean up reef," Jan. 30) highlighted a promising effort to restore the health of Kaneohe Bay by placing recently reared native sea urchins on reefs that have been cleared of most alien invasive seaweed by the Super Sucker — an underwater vacuum specially developed for that task.

The wana love to eat some of the worst of the introduced seaweed. Following the Super Sucker with new populations of native wana helps keep the seaweed from growing again unchecked and covering the reefs, blocking the sunlight and destroying this important habitat for our reef fish.

We’d also like to acknowledge the important role of Kaneohe-based fishing leaders such as Mano Vincent and his friends in bringing our two organizations together to work on this effort.

This partnership demonstrates that when local fishing families, state government and scientists work together, we do a much better job of taking care of our precious nearshore reefs and fisheries.

Laws against gambling not being enforced

Our legislators are again discussing gaming in Hawaii. While there are opponents and proponents of gaming, the salient fact remains there is already gaming in Hawaii, from sports betting around the water cooler to illegal gaming parlors.

Within the last few years, I have noticed gaming machines in many sports and karaoke bars. These machines pay out in cash. What is being done to stop this illegal activity? Nothing! Where is the enforcement? It’s non-existent. The salient question should be, "Why not?"

Health is lame excuse to impose new taxes

The governor has proposed a new tax for alcohol and soda.

Why increase taxes on these items and make an excuse that it’s a health problem? How about pork belly, manapua, ice cream or hamburgers?

I am tired of the government dictating how to live our life. What’s next? No health insurance for anyone with more than 6 percent body fat?

I just gave them an idea. Watch out, people.

Media should provide news alerts about vog

Most of us who live here are not regularly informed about the occasional vog systems that move in from the Big Island when the Kona winds prevail. Vog is difficult to gauge accurately for civilians who do not understand the weather patterns.

Here on Maui, we can only guess that there might be a vog health problem when we are unable to see neighboring islands like Lanai and Molokai, or when our eyes are itchy or we feel almost as if we are coming down with something like a cold.

There is a website that shows the concentration of sulfur dioxide, but one needs a degree in rocket science to understand it. Since the media always provide us with daily storm alerts, hurricane alerts and flood warnings, why can’t they also provide us with daily information for vog conditions?

Bright clothing is best during dark hours

During a three-mile drive in Kailua from Enchanted Lake to Aikahi Park I traveled on Keolu, Kainalu and Kalaheo streets. It was 6:45 p.m. and almost dark.

I counted 17 walkers, runners and bicyclists. Out of the 17, nine wore black or dark colors. Only three had reflective belts or tape.

Please, folks, don’t wear dark colors after 6 p.m. or before 7 a.m. It’s really hard to see you and we want to keep everyone safe. Let’s hope we don’t need another law to force people to dress safely for walking, running and bicycling after dark.

Ala Wai golf course makes money for city

This is in response to Richard Manetta’s idea to develop the "underutilized" Ala Wai golf course to generate millions for the city ("Develop city golf course," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Feb. 3).

The Ala Wai golf course has about 180,000 people per year paying the city for use of this land. If any land should be developed first, it should be the non-revenue ones like all soccer and baseball fields, basketball and tennis courts, swimming pools and, hey, how about Kapiolani Park?