Reef fish proposal deserves support

As an aquarium fisherman, I depend on healthy reefs and fish for my livelihood. I support the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ proposed regulations ("New aquarium fish rules draw criticism," Star-Advertiser, Nov. 24).

The rules include important conservation measures, including size limits to protect breeding stocks of important species, and net length restrictions to prevent overfishing. Daily bag limits will prevent overcrowding and help ensure that our fish are treated humanely.

Will these rules solve all our problems? No, but they’re an important first step. In the future, I hope more regulations can be imposed, such as a limited number of permits and annual catch limits on some species.

It’s disappointing to see environmental groups trying to obstruct fishing regulations. Even if they don’t go far enough, some limits are still better than nothing. There is nothing to stop conservationists from pushing for stricter limits afterward. The passage of these rules will benefit everybody, conservationists and fishermen alike.

Matthew Ross
Pearl City

State does good job against tree pests

Let us all offer our sincerest kudos to our state Department of Agriculture for leaving no Christmas tree unturned to discover slugs and other invasive pestto prevent them from endangering our local agriculture and native environments.

Kenneth L. Barker
Hawaii Kai

UH fans should support team more

I am an avid University of Hawaii football fan and have season tickets.I find it appalling that each week, fewer and fewer people attend to support our university. If we are truly fans, we will be there through the good years, like in the past, and the not-so-good years, like this one.

It is shameful when there are almost as many attendees cheering the visiting team as Hawaii fans cheering the Hawaii team.You want the players to play well, but there is no one there for them to play for! Come on, Hawaii, get out and support your team.

Robert Null
Waianae

Enjoy each holiday at its proper time

Friday’s cover photo of the family gathered around a pop-up table outside Best Buy holding hands in prayer before enjoying their holiday meal certainly was an eye-catcher ("Shoppers mobilize for sweet deals," Star-Advertiser, Nov. 23).

Twenty percent off an iPad Mini should not be enough to take you away from your family, or to take someone else away from theirs this holiday season.

We are alive to experience the evolution of loving kindness — which is not purchased in a store, but cultivated through dedication to our families and neighbors.

Shopping does keep our economy going, but it doesn’t need to be so mindless and frenetic. Can it wait until the day after Thanksgiving?

When we become mindful of our shopping habits, perhaps we can all settle down a bit and enjoy one holiday at a time. Now that’s a gift worth giving.

Derek Meier
Manoa

Take a stand on PLDC, GMO labels

The Hawaii State Association of Counties each year, prior to the convening of the state Legislature, advances certain recommendations to the Legislature that all four counties agree upon through their respective council representatives.

Three counties — Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai — all agreed that the Public Land Development Corp. (PLDC) should be dissolved and that food products containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) be labeled for the benefit of consumers.

Unfortunately, both provisions were omitted from Resolution 12-319, introduced by five Honolulu City Council members prior to a public hearing. Today at 1 p.m. the Council will vote on Resolution 12-319.

I urge all members of the public who want the PLDC dissolved and want labels on GMO products to show up at the hearing. To allow Honolulu to override, trump and bully the other three counties into submission must stop.

Tom Berg
Councilmember, District 1

Keep liquor out of Honolulu Zoo

Let us be real: no butts in the sand and no booze in the zoo.

The City Council is considering a smoking ban at beach parks. This makes sense to reduce air pollutants and littering of the nasty butts. This is one strategy to begin taking care of our aina.

Another important strategy is taking care of our keiki. We need to take care of our keiki by restricting access and reducing availability of alcoholic beverages around our keiki.

Encourage the Council and Liquor Commission to block the request for a liquor license at the zoo. We do not need our keiki to see adults drinking alcohol in the zoo or the smell of alcohol in the zoo or empty beer bottles at the zoo. Let us keep family events alcohol and tobacco free.

Harvey Lee
Kailua

Greenwood didn’t cause concert fiasco

In regards to the Wonder Blunder fiasco and subsequent hearings, it is apparent to me that University of Hawaii President M.R.C. Greenwood in reality had little or nothing to do with the event.

I believe that the only reason to have such a public forum on the situation was to publicly harm Greenwood’s reputation and to allow Sen. Donna Mercado Kim to grandstand. Please don’t tell me this wasn’t politically motivated! The results of this witch hunt have caused irreparable damage to Greenwood and the university.

Robert David Carpenter
Honolulu