Gays also embrace traditional values

It has been more than 23 years since Hawaii was at the forefront on same-sex marriage debate with Baehr v. Lewin.

With the U.S. Supreme Court decision on the Defense of Marriage Act, the state ushered in a new era, passing the Marriage Equality Act in the recent and highly contentious special legislative session. Since Dec. 2, approximately 526 same-sex couples received their marriage license and 248 same-sex couples have gotten married in the state.

It is interesting to note that in an era where approximately 50 percent of first marriages end in divorce, more couples are choosing to live together instead of getting married, and 40-50 percent of all children are being born out of wedlock, one of the basic rights that same-sex couples are fighting for is the right to get married. Apparently same-sex couples have the same traditional values when it comes to getting married.

Dean A. Soma
Honolulu

Don’t let city put ads on its buses

Hawaii has been blessed with a ban on billboards, thanks to the pioneer members of The Outdoor Circle.

Now Mayor Kirk Caldwell wants to weaken the billboard law by allowing ads on city buses. Big buses would be moving billboards.

To preserve Hawaii’s beauty, the Council must not pass the mayor’s Bill 69 to raise money by selling advertising space on buses, and perhaps the train as well.

Barbara Marumoto
Board member, The Outdoor Circle

Tolerance needs to cut both ways

It is time for plain speaking — past time, in fact.

Kathleen Parker’s recent column ("‘Duck Dynasty’ scandal reveals existential divide," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 25) must surely be the last straw.

As one of those loathsome primordial creatures rising from "the toxic swamp of moral certitude," I must protest. Since when have moral convictions been things of which we are to be ashamed and relativism a philosophy to be championed?

The LGBT community has every right to live and believe as it pleases, so long as its beliefs and behaviors do not infringe upon those of others. However, neither it nor Parker, nor any others, are entitled to demand that everyone, regardless of religious background or "moral certitude," bend a knee and cheer their choice.

Toxic swamp, indeed.

Seeth Trimpert
Kaaawa

Flashing lights aid crosswalk safety

As a driver, I was reminded of how unsafe the crosswalks are after reading "Pre-dawn walks are dangerous" (Star-Advertiser, Letters, Dec. 28).

Having crosswalks in the middle of a busy highway is a great relief to pedestrians; however, the driver’s perspective is blinded by the unknown.

The driver comes to an abrupt stop only after either the vehicle in front stops or the driver is faced with a dangerously close pedestrian.These types of pedestrian-and-driver interactions happen both during the day and at night because there is no alert system for the driver.

A simple solution would be flashing crosswalk signs.The flashing signs at traffic lights give drivers a visual clue that something is happening.A driver can see the flashing light from a distance and has a clear chance to adjust accordingly.

Darlene Bacon
Hawaii Kai

Hawaii producing top soccer talent

Thanks to Dave Reardon for acknowledging the retirement of one of our islands’ greatest sporting superstars, "Mr. Houston Dynamo," Brian Ching ("Giving Back," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 27).

More than a big-hearted local athlete who alwaysreturns and gives back to Hawaii’s fans and keiki, Chingis one of Hawaii’s greatest modern international athletes, on the same stage as Duke Kahanamoku. In 2006, Ching became the first Hawaiian to earn his way to the world’s largest sporting stage, the FIFA World Cup.

May the Star-Advertiser resolve in 2014 to pay due attention to the world’s greatest sporting pastime, the beautiful game of football. Please: an article on the second Hawaii footballer to climb to his sport’s highest rung: 21-year-old former Punahou student Bobby Shou Wood, whoin August debuted with the U.S. men’s national team. Best fortunes to legend Ching, future star Wood, and the beautiful game in Hawaii in 2014.

Ritxard Weigel
Salt Lake

Litterers deserve shame and penalty

I’m driving down beautiful Diamond Head Road, filled with the Christmas spirit. Ahead of me, a white pickup, cruising with three people sitting in the open back truck bed.

What? A deliberate toss of a pizza box to the side of the road. Another toss of fast-food wrappers and a soda bottle flung from the driver’s window.

These clowns were laughing and having the best time.

I reported this disgusting negligence to the police. This littering has got to stop. Police must enforce strict littering fines. People must stop throwing cigarette butts out of vehicles, dumping trash alongside the roads and ruining our land, ocean, parks and beaches. Citizens should report these criminal acts, photograph littering perpetrators and get license numbers.

Shame and punishment are appropriate for anyone who deliberately litters and shows such disregard for our beautiful islands. I am praying for a forever clean and beautiful Hawaii.

Susie Eubank
Diamond Head