The tragic, senseless shooting at Pearl Harbor would not have happened if the Navy would simply abide by our state of Hawaii gun laws. No person with a demonstrated history of behavioral problems can be permitted to possess a firearm, even for work. This includes substance abuse, depression, bi-polar and issues regarding anger management. Being in therapy for any behavioral problems also precludes firearm possession.

Pearl Harbor is U.S. government property, but with the hundreds of civilians working on base, perhaps the Navy should reevaluate its policy regarding the issuance of loaded firearms to unstable individuals.

Donald Wyand

Makiki

Paying attention while driving will save lives

While waiting to deplane from my mainland flight home recently, I warned people around me to be careful crossing the street, that we kill at least one pedestrian weekly. We inform tourists of ocean dangers, not those on land.

On a recent trip to France and Spain, I was shocked: Even in the absence of stop signs, red lights or special signals, vehicles stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. Even if you have not yet entered the crosswalk, drivers stop. How do they do it?

They are not driving more slowly, so they must be better at paying attention. Even if not using a cell phone, many minds are focused on things to do, personal or financial problems, anything and everything other than other vehicles and pedestrians.

Make a New Year’s resolution early: to pay attention driving so that more people don’t have to die this year.

Cynthia Burdge

Kailua

Road use charge here would not be good idea

The Hawaii Department of Transportation (DOT) has recently sent a survey to many people with registered vehicles in the state. The survey deals with the proposed road usage charge (RUC) that the DOT seeks to put in place of the gas tax now used in the state. There is a lack of responsibility in this state government now. If we give it more money, why do we expect it to change?

As important as keeping emissions at a minimum, it is also of utmost importance to ensure privacy and eliminate corruption. If this RUC is implemented, drivers with less fuel-efficient vehicles would be unfairly charged based on how their vehicle (that they already bought and paid for) was made. Instead of placing taxes on hard-working owners of vehicles, Hawaii DOT should focus their taxes on vehicle manufacturers as the mass majority of drivers buy their cars with little intent on emissions.

Annarose Franco

Kaneohe

Protests against Modern affecting nearby Ilikai

Well it’s Friday at 6:30 a.m. and Local 5 is again in the lobby of the Ilikai, although it has a Modern Hotel problem. Ilikai used to own that building, so now Ilikai tenants get their lunch spoiled, when the havoc continues at noon. Then there’s the dinner spoil to go — so at 5 p.m., Local 5 is lined up to protest again for one hour of ear damage.

The screaming and yelling is normal and annoying, but banging on a cardboard box with a wooden stick is pure genius. Where’s the cow bell? It’s a beautiful way to start the day.

After spending two tours in Vietnam and flying 112 missions, I started an apartment rental business with Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and Arizona renters. Thanks to Local 5, my renters all left. They put me out of business. Their screaming is harassing Ilikai’s apartment tenants and others.

Max Watson

Ala Moana

Looser island ties, rising costs add to Kaiser woes

As a former employee of Kaiser Health Plan Hawaii, I am responding to “Kaiser president bemoans insolvency in memo” (Star-Advertiser, Dec. 1) with some observations.

Since 2000, presidents of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals Hawaii region have all been from the mainland. Knowledge of the Kaiser Hawaii Region’s past and the Hawaii health care industry is limited. In 2016, there was a massive exodus of Health Plan and Hospital employees due to a change in retirement benefits for 2017. Years of experience and knowledge walked out the door.

Health care costs rise because of federal- and state-mandated requirements; an example is for autism treatment.

As the Pacific Business News reported on Sept. 23: “Kaiser rated highest health plan in Hawaii for quality, according to NCQA,” the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Quality costs.

Mary Kawasaki

Tantalus

EXPRESS YOURSELF

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser welcomes all opinions. Want your voice to be heard? Submit a letter to the editor.

>> Write us: We welcome letters up to 150 words, and guest columns of 500-600 words. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Include your name, address and daytime phone number.

>> Mail: Letters to the Editor, Honolulu Star-Advertiser 7 Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana, Suite 210 Honolulu, HI 96813

>> Contact: 529-4831 (phone), 529-4750 (fax), letters@staradvertiser.com, staradvertiser.com/editorial/submit-letter

SHARE YOUR RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS

“Pay it forward”: a situation in which the recipient of an unexpected good deed pays forward a kindness to someone else.

In this season of goodwill, think about it: Have you ever benefited from a “pay it forward” gesture, which in turn inspired you to bestow a random act of kindness?

If so, let us know in a 150-word letter to the editor, or in a well-written essay (500-600 words) — and submit it by Dec. 16 via email to letters@staradvertiser.com, or via snail mail to 500 Ala Moana Blvd., #7-210, Honolulu, HI, 96813, c/o Letters. A collection of these will run on Dec. 22.