Same-sex marriage is a state concern

I was extremely angry and puzzled to read in your newspaper that our federal congressional delegates had the audacity to push their same-sex marriage agenda at the state level ("Gay marriage push gains speed," Star-Advertiser, Aug. 17).

Since when do they have the right to meddle in state government? When did their constituents give them a carte blanche green light to pursue this matter on our behalf?

Instead of ramming yet another pro-homosexual agenda down the throats of Hawaii citizens, maybe we should have the right to vote on the issue via the ballot box. While we’re at it, let’s remember to vote these presumptuous demagogues out of office.

Margaret Peary
Mililani

Law enforcers have duty to stop bullies

The city prosecutor is sending the wrong message to law enforcement in the Christopher Deedy murder trial. I expect the offender, and not law enforcement, to walk away.

If a private citizen is being harassed by a bully, I fully expect a law enforcement official to step up and confront the bully. I do not expect him or her to walk away in order to avoid injury and death to the bully. How ridiculous is that?

I fully expect the bully to cooperate with law enforcement or face the consequence of injury or death if it leads to that. In another sense, the tragic but simple lesson is: Do not get in a fight with someone who has a gun. The odds are not in your favor.

Don Wong
Waikele

Barriers won’t solve Laniakea problem

Does the state really think that erecting concrete barriers along Kamehameha Highway fronting Laniakea Beach is a solution to the crowding and traffic problem there?

All it will do is move the problem a little further down the road and make even more people angry as they try to jockey for the even fewer parking spaces available.

A long-term, albeit more expensive, approach would be either a traffic light or a pedestrian overpass. The overpass would allow thousands of people to cross the road safely every day without unduly stopping the traffic flow except for those using the parking area.

I drive up there from Kaneohe at least once a month on the weekends and that’s not the only area with traffic and pedestrian problems. What are we going to do, make it impossible for people to park their cars anywhere?

Michel Grotstein
Kaneohe

Earth better warm than freezing cold

Don’t be too concerned about global warming.

The dramatic shift from burning coal to natural gas for electric power production in the U.S. has reduced U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide by 400 to 500 million tons per year. This is about twice the total effect of the Kyoto Protocol requirements on carbon emissions in the rest of the world.

During the past million years our planet experienced about seven ice ages, each separated by a warm period lasting about 15,000 years. We are very lucky because, unlike the previous interglacial warm periods, our warm period has not started to cool off soon after reaching its maximum warm temperature.

Our warm period has maintained a relatively constant temperature for about 11,000 years. We certainly want to keep it that way as long as possible, because during a previous ice age, the great ice sheets that covered Northern Illinois and Chicago were more than one mile deep.

Alan S. Lloyd
Lanikai

Act now to protect Hawaii as paradise

Our family just returned from a 10-day vacation in Hawaii where we stayed at the Hale Koa.

We were saddened by the daily non-rush-hour gridlock traffic on the H-1, and the homeless have taken over Waikiki and the beach parks.On Aug. 14, my wife and I counted seven homeless individuals along the Ala Wai Canal between 9 and 10 a.m.

I fell in love with Hawaii when my military family moved there in 1973.I attended high school and my freshmen year of college at the University of Hawaii. I was stationed at Schofield Barracks.

I was married in Hawaii; our first son was born at Wahiawa General Hospital; my mom and oldest sister still live in Hawaii (my dad is buried at the Hawaii Veterans Cemetery).

Hawaii needs to ensure it remains a paradise.Local residents need to take action now before their quality of life becomes worse. Tourists will find other destinations to vacation.

Frank L. Barth
San Antonio, Texas

Airlines, hotels both use ‘greed’ system

In response to Howard C. Wiig: Actually, the booking system used by the airlines is not that sophisticated ("Airlines show way on pricing," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Aug. 17).

It is called Yield Management and Inventory Control.

Unfortunately, beside the occasional limited offers for unsold seats, the airlines have steadily increased the fares and implemented additional extra charges under the pretense of increased "fuel cost." In fact, fuel costs have declined.

Hotels are already copying the airline system, but it won’t make any difference. Perhaps both systems should be called "greed."

The answer? Get costs under control and implement realistic rates and, as a result, the hotel occupancy will increase.

Franco Mancassola
Hawaii Kai