All rights subject to legal constraints

State Rep. Karl Rhoads touched on an important point about gun rights, that no rights are absolute ("Hawaii on Target?" Star-Advertiser, Insight, Feb. 3).

Apologists for the Second Amendment seem to want gun ownership to be unhindered. Harvey Gerwig of the Hawaii Rifle Association is quoted saying that, "It shouldn’t be hard for someone who is not mentally impacted to get a gun."

But, in fact, we have no unconstrained rights.Every right has attendant responsibilities, often codified as laws, governing the exercise of that right.The right to free speech is a good example.

With regard to Gerwig’s assertion, given the seriousness of this issue, I fail to see why buying a deadly weapon should not be difficult, and that its ownership and use not be hedged by the most stringent constraints we can devise.

Michael Stroup
Waimanalo

Put PV panels atop Capitol building

Our elected representatives have an excellent opportunity to show true leadership and commitment to green energy.

Instead of putting a garden on the roof of the Capitol, the state should install photovoltaic panels that could provide much of the electricity needed to power the building ("Plan puts garden on Capitol’s roof," Star Advertiser, Feb. 10).

As opposed tocreating a garden that will require an ongoing maintenance cost, we will be generating cost savings with solar energy.

Bill Quinlan
Haleiwa

Parking is scarce for library patrons

The attempt to ban public parking at Iolani Palace by a bill now in the House will drastically limit use of the Hawaii State Library, making a serious parking problem even worse.

Currently there is no allotted parking for this historic building and resource for many. Library users must compete for the few public parking spaces with visitors going to Kawaiahao Church and Mission Houses, the Hawaii State Art Museum, the Capitol Building and other locations.

There are 25 stalls at Iolani Palace set aside for the Legislature, despite the fact that they have underground parking at the Capitol building. If additional parking is to be built, it should be finished and in place before removing what little parking is now available.

Karen Edwards
Chinatown

PLDC threatens Hawaiian values

‘Eha ko‘u na‘au! (I hurt in the deepest part of my being!)

The purpose of the Public Land Development Corp. is to generate revenue for Hawaii by developing public lands in an appropriate and culturally sensitive manner.However, this law gives broad exemptions from land-use and zoning laws and threatens core values of our cultural heritage, which demand our responsibility to cherish and malama the land that we love, with great care given to protect the precious "wahi pana" (legendary places) for future generations.

My plea is that every lawmaker in Hawaii nei act to repeal this law.Second, that Hawaiians be vigilant and alert to laws that threaten the legacies left by our beloved ancestors.Also, I urge every resident of this great state to advocate the repeal of the PLDC with a commitment to ensure safeguards through regulations that will protect the land and sacred sites from the ravaging destruction of developers whose primary concern is for the revenues generated.

B. Halani Hopkins Berard
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii island

Gambling industry would be corruptive

I was glad to see that John Radcliffedisclosed that he is a lobbyist who is paid to urge legislators to promote gambling ("John Radcliffe," Star-Advertiser, Name in the News, Feb. 8).

The gambling industry has enormous amounts of money available to give candidates for the Legislature, who then will be expected to vote in its favor.

When studies are quoted, I always ask who paid for the study before I can believe it.

If we depend upon gambling for cash to solve our problems, the unintended consequences may be more than we imagined.

Grace Furukawa
Manoa

Soda tax a poor way to deal with obesity

Regarding the proposed soda tax, Senate Bill 1085, I agree that being overweight is a serious concern in Hawaii, but I do not agree that a soda tax is a good response to it.

There are other options to consider, such as limiting advertising for sugary beverages.

There is an ethical inconsistency in suggesting that consumers should be punished for using a product while others profit from promoting it.

If a tax is imposed, it should be for a limited time. Continuation of the tax should be contingent on demonstrating a specific level of measurable results in reducing overweight in Hawaii by a specific date.

The overall plan should come first, and then the action.

George Kent
Hawaii Kai

Feral cat caretakers deserve some aloha

Bravo to Sara Armstrong and her letter in support of our feral cat colonies and their caretakers ("Feral cat caretakers providing a benefit," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Feb. 7).

When I encounter the opinions like those expressed by Matthew Tuthill, it makes me wonder: Where is the spirit of aloha that our state and its residents are so well-known for ("Feeding feral species poses risk to all creatures in Hawaii," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Feb. 4)?

At that very least, cats deserve this kind of consideration, and it is our job to continue the excellent and successful work that is already being done.

Perhaps we can all take a tip from Parker Brothers, which has just chosen its new Monopoly piece — a cat!

Nancy Wallace
Kakaako