Freedom should be constant through time

In your editorial on exemptions to same-sex marriage laws, I believe you meant to include mosques, synagogues, temples and shrines, and not just churches ("Don’t overreach on church exemptions," Star-Advertiser, Our View, Aug. 27).

As a retired military officer, I dedicated my life to protect constitutional freedoms such as those in the First Amendment.

I find it puzzling that you would suggest that religious institutions should modify their right of "free exercise of religion" to change with the times, while you exercise your "freedom of the press" to advocate the establishment of a "religion or religious view" which supports same-sex marriage — as indicated by your mention of the 52 religious leaders who support "marriage" equality.

These leaders, by law, can already hold same-sex ceremonies at their own facilities. Why compel others to violate their consciences?

Finally, would you say the press should be forced to give up First Amendment freedoms for the sake of changing times? I don’t think so. Neither should any individual or institution, religious or secular.

Dan Melton
Waipahu

Civil rights push not ‘hype on the streets’

With the recent 50th anniversary of the march on Washington, I found it especially sad to read "The Last Word" from Bishop Larry Silva, who said: "To discriminate between heterosexual and same-sex couples regarding marriage is not, despite the hype on the streets, unjust discrimination" (Star-Advertiser, The Last Word, Aug. 26).

In one short sentence he promotes discrimination against same-sex couples while dismissing the voices of thousands of us who are calling for civil rights for all.The march was a pivotal point in our nation’s history that led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act, but I can’t help but wonder if Silva would have considered it just "hype on the streets."

It will be interesting to see what side of history his argument for justified discrimination falls on.

Alika Campbell
Kailua

Caregivers deserve community’s thanks

Thank you for raising awareness of the important caregiver issue ("Report predicts thinning ranks of caregivers," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 2).

The report underlines the importance of Hawaii’s family caregivers in providing support for loved ones to remain at home as they get older, rather than moving to more costly nursing homes.

While a growing number of men like Ken Takeya are caregivers, this responsibility is traditionally borne by women. The "typical" caregiver in Hawaii is female, inher late 40s, works full-time, may have children and provides about 20 hours of unpaid care per week to an older relative. This makes women especially vulnerable to the long-range consequences of deciding to leave the workplace to handle care responsibilities at home — and increases the challenge of saving for their own retirement.

Female or male, Hawaii’s caregivers deserve our thanks and support for the sacrifices they make for their families and our community as a whole.

Linda Iverson
Moiliili

City Council should vote on pay raises

Not long ago, an arbitrator raised the pay of island police by about 17 percent. The counties must pay this, like it or not. And property owners must pay any tax increases to pay the police.

The arbitrator has too much power. We did not elect him, but he can increase what we all pay. This is wrong, the wrong system, and your property tax bills will soon show you that.

Even if you believe the police deserve a raise, the decision of an arbitrator should not bind us. The City Council should take back its power. We elect its members to decide city spending and taxes. The arbitrator system should be abandoned or reformed. And every arbitrator decision should be voted on — up, down or amended — by the City Council.

The arbitrator system has been a disaster for us all. The City Council must take control so we get no more disasters from arbitration decisions.

Mark Terry
Wahiawa

Have a high school teach tourism skills

Many school districts have established magnet schools, which feature curriculum geared to particular industries, such as an aeronautical high school, a health services high school or an information technology high school.

Typically, these schools draw students from many areas within a district who are seeking the specialized training available at the school.

Since tourism is our main source of income here, why doesn’t Hawaii have a high school focused on the hospitality industry?

The school could feature courses in hotel operations, food services, sustainable tourism, resort promotion and traditional Hawaiian values in tourism, while also offering typical high school subjects such as economics, business math, English and music.

Students might find these courses more meaningful, and the graduates would be more likely to find employment in the resort industry, or would be prepared to transition into similar programs at the university level.

Since this would benefit the visitor industry, hotels and restaurants would have an opportunity to support such a school in various ways.

Stanley Oswalt
Kalihi Valley

Military still needs Makua for defense

The Star-Advertiser’s Aug. 24 editorial, "Don’t return Makua Valley to line of fire," ignored the consequences of wars and the responsibilities of commanders to ensure that those under his command are fully prepared for combat.

Furthermore, Makua Valley isn’t public property; it’s federally owned.

The editorial cited issues such as archaeological features and the cost of removing unexploded ordnance.

Regarding archeological features, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources has identified only Ukanipo Heiau, which is outside of the training area.

And it’s doubtful that Hawaiians consider endangered species as being significant. There’s nothing in Makua that can’t be found elsewhere.

Besides, while it was a ranch prior to World War II, we Hawaiians didn’t care where the horses and cattle left their droppings, ate or stepped.

Unless you were here on Dec. 7, 1941, you can’t fully understand the important role Makua Valley played in preparing our military to retake the islands lost to the enemy and its continued importance to our military’s preparedness objectives.

Bill Punini Prescott
Nanakuli

DOE policy unfair to disabled students

I read with interest your article, "Adult disabled students entitled to free education" (Star-Advertiser, Aug. 29).

The state’s decision three years ago to limit the age to attend public school to under 20 on the first day of a school year has taken precious time away from students with disabilities and their parents who fought for their federal educational rights or missed out altogether.

I think our state lawmakers acted on the state Department of Education’s ploy to limit education for all students to the extent they believed was required by federal law, and to cover up injustice in the past against students with disabilities.

A child born with Down syndrome, such as mine, may likely learn well given more time, or when each individual is ready.

I expect our state lawmakers will soon correct this misfortune and power of law and its effect on Hawaii’s disabled students. Anything else would be unfair.

Linda Elento
Kaneohe

FROM THE FORUM

"Drownings spur focus on education," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 2:

» The ocean is way more dangerous than hiking, and yet if someone dies on a state trail, they tend to shut down the trail.

» We need to ban all people from the ocean. If it only saves one life, it is worth it. Oh, wait a minute, that is the argument to ban assault rifles

» May I suggest the HawaiiTourism Authority put together a video presentation about the do’s and don’ts of Hawaii’s environments and have it displayed on airplanes enroute to Hawaii.

"Homestead suit going to mediation," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 2:

» In other words: Now Hawaiians will be in mediation for a lifetime, thus still not resolving the problem.

» It really would be a miracle if a settlement is reached in this suit against the state. I know Leona Kalima is a very akamai person and will continue to pursue this even till her last days. I hope she and the rest of our kupuna will see this become a reality, but knowing how the state operates in these kinds of matters, don’t hold your breath.

"State can no longer ignore the threat of climate change," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 3:

» The climate has been changing since men have been on this Earth. Earth is constantly changing and will continue to change whether you like it or not.

» Until it is personalized and something tragic happens, people and governments won’t change their behaviors or attitudes. Nowadays, people live in the now and don’t care about the future or what it holds for our children, grandchildren and future generations.

» It is depressing when you read "the science is settled." In fact, scientific models change. Just because you took a set of observations and came up with an explanatory model does not mean you have got it all figured out. In physics the results can be repeatedly tested and used to make accurate predictions. This is generally not true in "climate science." An explanatory model is an abstraction that suppresses an infinity of differences and properties, some of which may not yet be known, some of which may turn out to be game-changing. It is prudent to prepare for potential disaster but to assume "the science is settled" can be a serious mistake.

"$600 million spigot is about to dry up," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 3:

» Squander much? $600 million for a few houses? Enough!

» I think the incredibly well-funded and thus far useless Office of Hawaiian Affairs should be able to step in and help the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands not disperse land to waiting families.

» Well, in fairness, DHHL has had only 20 years to get a plan together.

"Court revives suit against party host," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 4:

» Lesson No. 1: Don’t have parties. Even though this case was extremely lame and stupid, the ambulance chasers will use it to soak anyone who has a party where someone overindulges and does something stupid.

» Judges are sometimes wrong. In this case, the presiding judge felt that the host could get this underage girl drunk to the point of passing out and dump her in a car with no thought to help her or get her medical assistance. What a nice guy. I’m glad the Supreme Court got this right.

» Does this ruling also make it possible for the hosts to be sued even if they didn’t provide the alcohol? We need to take personal responsibility; no one forces you to drink to the point of death.

"Educators, students turn up heat in push for air-conditioned schools," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 4:

» Oh, boo hoo. Everyone who grew up in Hawaii went to these same schools with no air conditioning. No one was crying then for AC; you just made the best of a bummer situation and went on. A billion dollars for AC in 200 schools? That’s got to be the biggest rip-off I’ve heard yet.

» Move the school year to start after Labor Day rather than in late July. Much cooler now then in the heat of summer.

» At least get a portable AC for each room. It would probably cost less than $500 per unit.

» Nice thought but the truth is the electrical systems at the older schools are so out of date it would blow the breakers if every class had a plug-in aircon. Not to mention you would need a very large unit for each classroom.

"Weight-loss pills may damage liver: doctor," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 6

» There is no magic pill. Dieting is simple: Eat fewer calories than you burn.

» Recently I heard that Tylenol can cause liver damage. My doctor has said she’s seen it herself. People who have taken too much Tylenol get liver problems. Serious stuff!