We’re a democracy, not a theocracy

I am uneasy with claims that we should not do certain things at places that are "sacred."

Someone said that Mauna Kea is so sacred no one should set foot on it, not even to worship it. Others believe it is the will of God that the mountains be used for the most possible good. They think it is our sacred duty to climb the highest peaks, peer out to the farthest reaches of the universe, and share the cosmic wonders we find, thatit would be selfish to keep this knowledge from billions.

It is impossible to settle disputes by claims of sacredness. We live in a democracy, not a theocracy. If protesters want the support of people who do not believe in Hawaiian gods, they should focus on factors such as environmental impact, cost, scientific value, educational value and access for cultural practitioners and the general public.

Kurt Butler
Wailuku

A few people block what majority wants

Hawaii can never achieve the greatness we all hope for because a fewpeople and groups block that vision.

Instead, we make study after study and delay progress, costing us untold millions ("Federal highway funding: Use it or lose it," Star-Advertiser, June 28).

The H-3 freeway is a great example of how long it took to get things done.Rail could have been completed long ago, if the City Council had approved the inevitable a long time ago.Even when something is approved, a few people take unreasonable stands that result in further delays that cost us even more time and money.

You see the same thing happening at Mauna Kea — a few people trying to block what the majority wishes.Does the Superferry ring a bell? It gets even more ludicrous when we now have the fireworks issue come up again. What a shame.One step forward and one step back.

Wally Minato
Pearl City

Confederate flag helped in murders?

The shooting ofnine good and innocentpeople in a church in Charleston,S.C., is a terrible tragedy.

They caught the alleged killer in short order, but now they believe that he was aided and abetted in the crime by a dastardly flag, the Confederate flag.

An all-points-bulletin was issued and the public warned to bar their doors, keep their children inside and report any sightings. The public has been assured that no resources will be spared to bring down this dangerous flag before it can do any more harm.

Who said that our government was unresponsive?

Nelson S.W. Chang
Kaneohe

Hold accountable people in scandal

Thank you for keeping the spotlight on the USS Arizona Memorial ticket scandal ("Get to bottom of memorial ticket scandal," Star-Advertiser, Our View, June 27).

For the past three years, I have had the honor of serving as the master of ceremonies for the annual Dec. 7 remembrance at Pearl Harbor. I have seen first-hand the emotional reactions from the aging attack survivors, their families and guests at that ceremony.

For the Pacific Historic Parks board, staff, and National Park Service leadership to get involved with such a blatant, tawdry, illegal scheme to raise money was dishonorable to say the least.They must be held accountable.

Robert S. Sandla
Hawaii Kai

Pope doesn’t need Republicans’ advice

Fred Hemmings’ public advice on what the popeshould be doing with his papacy is so characteristic of those who wish to cherry-pick how institutions should behave,to benefit their views and interests ("Pope could host peace summit," Star-Advertiser, Letters, June 26).

When the Republican Party realized that massive demographic shifts in the U.S. would not favor their agenda, it reached out to the Christian conservative right, eventually becoming largely dominated by that constituency. While touting its traditional platform of small and minimal government intrusion into citizens’ lives, they have simultaneously taken on the task of preaching to American citizens about pre-marital sex, birth control, abortion, marriage, LGBT morality — you name it.

Now, because they fear that their corporate supporters and donors might be saddled with increased regulations on industrial pollution, fossil fuel burning and leaks, and worker exploitation, they want to tell the pope to shut up about global warming. Also, the use of the term "Allah" as a veiled ethnic and religious slur is inflammatory rather than helpful.

William E. Conti
Waikiki

Drain fuel tanks under Red Hill now

The Red Hill fuel tanks are like a giant festering boil buried deep in the bowels of the Koolaus.

I am outraged by the 20-year plan to fix these 20 aged, colossal tanks. Their leaks have already contaminated the groundwater beneath them. In 2014, the repairs done on a tank failed after one month, and 27,000 gallons of jet fuel leaked out. There is no way to clean it up.

The tanks sit 100 feet above the main aquifer that supplies drinking water from Hawaii Kai to Moanalua. In 2014, the U.S. Department of Defense requested $50 million to mitigate the high potential of a fire at this facility.

How does it plan to do any repairs under these hazardous conditions?

It is too horrible to imagine the disaster if even one tank explodes, and there are 18 still in use.

I applaud the courageous stand of the Honolulu Board of Water Supply against the proposed plan to repair the tanks. Empty the tanks today.

Alison Bhattacharyya
Nuuanu