Security detail was over the top

While visiting Honolulu on Jan. 2, my wife and I drove to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl.

As we drove up the hill, several men and one woman, all dressed in very casual clothes, ran out into the street and began shouting commands.

I complied with their commands, although no one explained to us who they were or what was happening. Other cars coming up were also handled similarly. Apparently President Barack Obama had preceded us into Punchbowl.

The behavior of those who I assume were Secret Service agents was boorish and over the top. Moreover, someone in uniform should have been present to make it clear that these people were government officials.

This has nothing to do with Obama, whom I respect and support. My complaint has solely to do with the methods and behavior of those who I assume were part of his security detail.

Preston Hughes
Santa Clara, Utah

Illegal fireworks still being used

Reports say that illegal fireworks have been reduced, but they unfortunately continue in Aiea along Kaahumanu Street.

Every year the same three or four houses continue to shoot offmany aerial fireworks, including the very loud "bomb" types. Two of the homes behind my house on the adjacent street fire the aerials over our homes toward the park. Often thesego off right over our home, causing car alarms to go off on many of the neighbors’ cars.

They were fired off from dark until well after midnight. At one point a police cruiser drove up the street and sat in the community center parking lot. He did nothing, although he must have witnessed many of them before he drove away.

This nonsense must stop. People who are firing these illegal fireworks must be aware that what they are doing is illegal and that not all of their neighbors enjoy it.

Charlie Colburn
Aiea

Calorie data just more nannyism

The Dec. 29 article "Vending machines soon will display calorie data" is a perfect example of the Dec. 28 commentary, "Regulation of American life gets worse and worse."

The article says displaying calorie information will cost the industry almost $26 million to implement, and goes on to say it will probably be as ineffective in changing food choices as requiring restaurants to post calorie counts.

So a huge expense with no expectation of results — yet another business-squelching mandate in the Affordable Care Act that will be imposed on us because government officials assume we cannot make wise choices without help.

Never mind that millions have managed to maintain normal weight without expensive mandates, or that reading a calorie chart does not equate to applying it. Until everyone in government health services is not obese from reading calorie charts, don’t make us all pay for a babysitter we don’t need.

Barbara O’Nale
Kapolei

Erosion a threat to all our coasts

The Hawaiian islands have been hit by large tsunamis in the past and will again.

Natural elements cause the Hawaiian islands to progressively erode. The atolls northwest of us were once islands the size of our main islands.

Mostly the erosion is slow. Occasionally, the erosion is rapid and dramatic. All of our coastal development is in jeopardy due to these undeniable facts.

Gary Pardy
Haleiwa

Kendama started as French game

I read with great interest the article about kendamas ("Krazy for Kendama," Star-Advertiser, Kalakoa!, Dec. 7).

I enjoy playing kendama at school every day. The article describes kendama as a centuries-old Japanese game.

However, the article could have been enhanced with one additional fact. The game originated in France as early as 1534. It was called bilboquet and was played with just a ball and a spike. The Japanese have popularized the bilboquet as kendama, with the addition of cups.

Erik Wallace
Mililani