The story, “First-of-its-kind Micronesian youth center opens in Liliha” (Star-Advertiser, July 22), offered a lot of hope and lauded the efforts of a number of groups and individuals trying to meet the needs of Micronesian youth in our community. Interim Police Chief Rade K.Vanic said that HPD would like to see more Micronesians in its ranks. He volunteered to hold some of the department’s recruitment events at the youth center.

I applaud Vanic’s reaching out to the Micronesian community. But what message or counter-message is given by police members, their families and their supporters in not wanting the Skycap case to go to trial and have a full accounting of what really happened (“Judge denies motion to dismiss charges,” Star-Advertiser, July 21)? Let the justice system play itself out.

If any good comes from all this, it might be in helping our community to finally support the Micronesian community in their helping themselves, as they are doing with the new Micronesian youth center.

Roman Leverenz

Aliamanu

EVs may be only hope to curb excessive noise

I’ve seen previous complaints from Hawaii residents about excessively loud vehicle engines or exhaust pipes — noise sometimes sounding as loud as battlefield artillery.

I was told by a police officer that the vehicle can be cited. Well, perhaps there aren’t enough citations being issued, because there’s still too much noise from poorly maintained and sometimes purposefully loud vehicle engines or exhaust systems.

Mercedes-Benz and other car manufacturers say that over time they intend to switch solely to selling electric-engine automobiles. Is this future eventuality our only hope for relief from this ongoing noise problem?

Jonathan Hoag

Kaneohe

Make car rental firms transition to all EVs?

With rising gas prices, switching to electric vehicles appears appealing and better for the environment. However, purchasing a new EV is not an option that all residents can afford. And there are many of us whose employment or business is connected to the existing gas vehicles.

A gradual transition would be needed to introduce more EVs into the island without penalizing gas vehicle owners. My suggestion would be that our state could make it mandatory for car rental businesses to begin replacing their fleets with EVs.

Guy Morgan

Moanalua

Pandemic becoming politicized, divisive

As the number of vaccinations has not attained the arbitrary rate of 70% set by the governor, and cases have been going up thanks to loosening of restrictions on July 8, it’s impossible not to notice how the pandemic is becoming more politicized than ever.

And with your recent choice to publish a letter calling for the unvaccinated to be denied medical care, the pandemic is now openly becoming weaponized by you, the media (“Don’t allow anti-vaxxers to get COVID treatment,” Star-Advertiser, July 26). Shame on you for pouring gasoline on this social fire we are all trying our best to deal with.

“We’re all in this together” has given way to “us versus them.” Is this the world we want to live in?

Krista Vessell

McCully-Moiliili

Protect children from irresponsible adults

If Taylor Crabbe has tested positive and withdrew from the Olympics despite having been vaccinated (“By withdrawing, COVID-positive Hawaii’s Taylor Crabb saved former partner Jake Gibb’s Olympics,” Star-Advertiser, July 26), it seems to me Gov. David Ige should immediately require a fortnight’s quarantine of all unvaccinated adults, with fines and imprisonment for everyone out and about without proof of vaccination.

As COVID-19 can cause lifetime health issues, and there is no vaccine for those under 12, there is no justification for causing children to live a miserable life because some adults are socially irresponsible.

Rico Leffanta

Kakaako

Restrict access based on proof of vaccination

Kudos to Stephen Tsai on his opinion that all players and coaches should be vaccinated in order to participate (“Unvaccinated players, coaches should not be allowed to be part of program,” Star-Advertiser, July 27).

But why stop with athletes? People who want to use airlines and frequent public places such as restaurants and shops should have the same restrictions. With all the retailers that do home deliveries, the unvaccinated won’t starve.

Sure, people have the right to make choices, but not at the inconvenience of and threat to safety for those trying to follow the guidelines.

If all this was imposed, I can’t help feeling it would go a long way to dramatically shut down this dangerous and wearisome pandemic.

Butch Ford

Kailua-Kona

Even more information on COVID cases needed

I agree with John Laslo (“More details needed on those contracting COVID,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, July 27). I actually would want more information than he suggests.

I would like to know where the people who got COVID-19 were infected. In other words, was it at the grocery store on a particular street or at a church service on the corner? I would also like to know who and where others were infected.

It does me no good to know that five residents were infected on a particular date on the island of Oahu.

Louis Faulkner

Hawaii Kai

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