Sports committee not very ‘diverse’

Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui convened a 16-member panel to advise him regarding the prospects for creating a state sports commission ("Committee will advise Tsutsui on creation of sports commission," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 5).

The panel consists of 15 men and one woman — and the lieutenant governor’s office referred to the group as "diverse."

What kind of message does this send to the girls and women of Hawaii, especially those involved in sports?

The lieutenant governor should be embarrassed.

Linda Estes
Koloa

HPD Chief Kealoha should be replaced

The front-page article on "unreported crime stats" speaks volumes about transparency within the Honolulu Police Department leadership ("HPD system fires blanks," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 4).

How can the majority of front-line HPD officers, and the public — who put their trust in the police leadership — gauge what crimes of violence are occurring in their communities if these crimes are not reported in a timely manner?

HPD leadership, specifically Police Chief Louis Kealoha, has not shown his staff or the public honesty, integrity or fairness by his actions, which include:

» Causing a mistrial, in a case involving his wife and her family.

» Possible obstruction of justice and abuse of power.

» Providing possible false information, and involving other HPD staff in possible cover-up of evidence.

It’s time for the see-no-evil, hear-no-evil, speak-no-evil HPD commissioners to do their job of replacing HPD Chief Kealoha.

Nancy Manali-Leonardo
Diamond Head

Cancer Center could be a science mecca

I commend the "Island Voices" column by Dr. Joe W. Ramos ("UH Cancer Center making a difference in Hawaii," Star-Advertiser, Jan. 21). He points out the importance of the University of Hawaii Cancer Center and its contributions to Hawaii and our world.

My late husband, Dr. Lawrence H. Piette, was among the first to be involved in establishing the first UH Cancer Research Center. The funding for this institution was based upon the unique situation Hawaii offers with its multiethnic culture and its botanical setting. This has not changed.

Cancer research is not a battle or a war. The research requires insight, patience and perseverance.

On a more prosaic level, this research offers economic contributions to our economy through education, new discoveries and jobs.

Hawaii has the opportunity to be a mecca for scientific and medical progress. It would be short-sighted to dismiss this institution without offering time, sound leadership,support and money.

Mary I. Piette
Kailua

Increase gas tax to help fund rail

It is understood that rail is being built to ease road congestion. Therefore, paymentfor rail should come from a gas tax.

A higher cost to travel by car will move commuters to rail.Also, ample parking at rail terminals should be available free with purchase of a rail ticket to entice more travelers to rail.

Larry Brown
Pawaa

Time to unleash the peacemakers

Among other things, Joan Conrow’s "Island Voices" commentary ("Outsider funding of anti-GMO efforts in Hawaii not really about ‘home rule’," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 1) is a cry for help to resolve conflict impasse in our islands.

It is a sentiment shared by many of us who are concerned about public policy dispute gridlock, and lack of deliberative community engagement to resolve big, impactful issues.

We have a rich vein of indigenous and professional problem-solvers and organizations here — including the Mediation Center of the Pacific, state Judiciary Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), Pacific Justice and Reconciliation Center, Hawaii State Bar Association-ADR Section and the Association for Conflict Resolution-Hawaii — who can help bring people together on polarizing issues.

The ongoing GMO war Conrow names — as well as other public policy disputes related to development, traffic, energy and vacation rentals, to name a few — has yielded little meaningful resolution progress.

It is time for citizens and public officials to unleash the peacemakers.

Lisa Jacobs
President­-elect, Association for Conflict Resolution-Hawaii Anne Smoke Matsuda Matsunaga Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Association for Conflict Resolution

Marine ecosystem needs protection

What exactly is the state doing to protect corals?

The recent timid bag and size limits on a few species of fish, without expanding enforcement, are inadequate.

There are no controls onthe flood of fertilizers and pesticides from hotels, golf courses and trophy homes, nor the steady leak of human waste from cesspools and injection wells, which cause the disfiguring tumors that slowly starve green sea turtles.

There have been no new reserves established in decades, despite evidence that marine-protected areas are the best way to preserve ecosystems and increase fish numbers.

Night scuba fishing of sleeping fish is legal. The state doesn’t even protect Molokai fish from off-island marauders.

There is no statewide regulation of vanity trade aquarium fishing, which sends vital herbivores to die in displays of conspicuous consumption.

Offenses to the current weak regulations are punished with fines that would be laughable ifthey didn’t show the state’s indifference to the ocean.

Diane Shepherd
Kihei