The daily barrage of news articles, full-page advertisements and a highly suspect recent public opinion poll propagated by the Thirty Meter Telescope Corp. raises an important question: Does the TMT Corp. trust the legal process?

We’ve heard repeatedly that the TMT Corp. has the legal right — secured by a use permit issued by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources and confirmed by a state court judge in Hilo — to build the Thirty Meter Telescope on top of Mauna Kea. The issue is currently before the Hawaii Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments on Aug. 27.

The court’s decision is expected any time. But maybe that’s precisely why we’ve seen the stepped-up PR campaign by the billion-dollar multinational corporation.

Does the TMT Corp. trust the legal process, or is the recent PR blitz a tacit admission that the right to build on Mauna Kea may not have been legally obtained in the first place?

Theodore Herhold
Kamuela

Can profit-and-loss apply to the police?

In response to Thomas E. Stuart, who denigrates government as a system of takers and not producers, I agree there are some systems of government that are ineffective (“Wage levels depend on profit and loss,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Nov. 12).

However, I find his comments unusual and disparaging, especially to the people who protect and serve our nation and local communities. I wonder how he would apply his profit-and-loss model to these brave individuals.

Ryan Tin Loy
Lower Nuuanu

School bands use Aloha Stadium, too

Aloha Stadium is used for more than just football games and concerts.

Tuesday night’s “Rainbow Invitational Marching Band Festival” showcased hard-working high school marching bands from throughout the state. These students, together with their instructors, leaders, clinicians, parents and supporters, learn not just about music but also about working together and being good citizens of our community.

What other venue do we have to host nearly 20 schools and their families and friends? Keep this in mind when planning for a replacement for the stadium.

We need to support the University of Hawaii and all our schools’ music departments to keep programs like these alive.

It was a great event. Bravo to all the schools!

Gail Hedani
Makiki

Move to renewables as soon as possible

Some residents here, no matter how much evidence is presented to them, will be science-deniers regarding climate change.

Here in Hawaii we see warming oceans, three full months or more of almost zero trade winds, increased hurricane activity, more beach erosion and changing animal patterns. The main culprit is unprecedented carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. CO2 is just plant food, but where are the plants? Hence, we warm.

So let’s forget the climate change argument and simply all agree on the obvious: that we need to move to renewables as much as possible. Using renewable energy can save us trillions of dollars and create more jobs along the way. What is wrong with that? Why would anyone object to renewable energy?

The science-deniers can continue to live in their bubble of delusion, and the rest of us get what we wanted all along, which is to help the environment.

Jim Quimby
Kapalama Heights

Chinatown seeing positive changes

On Nov. 5, the Downtown/ Chinatown Neighborhood Board voted 9-0 to support Michaels Development Co.’s revised conceptual plans for the 151-unit proposed senior housing project on River Street, which incorporates almost all of the Chinatown community’s input, including height and mass reductions, colors, feng shui and setbacks (“City reaches deal to develop senior housing,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 10).

More community participation is called for to fine-tune this important development.

The board also voted 5-3 in support of the Chinatown Community Center Association’s vision for River Street housing to ensure a healthy environment for all.

Many in Chinatown support this affordable senior housing project, as this is the best thing to happen in Chinatown in years. It includes a 10,450-square-foot, long-dreamed-of Chinatown Community Center and Heritage Garden. Our city and our City Council are to be applauded for getting this proposed legacy building on track.

Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock
President, Chinatown Business & Community Association

’Copter noise evoked Vietnam memories

As I sat down to read the morning paper, I jerked my head up to a far distinct sound of Vietnam-era Huey helicopters.

As they got closer, the sounds got louder. I could feel the tension build inside me — images, faces and smells started to flash like channel surfing. I was locked in. I found myself in that chopper; I could feel the cool air, I saw the worried faces around me; we would be landing in a hot LZ, flashes of human destruction.

Laughter and singing could be heard from the crazy beer parties, singing, “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” by the Animals.

As the choppers faded away, I found myself staring at my flag; my heart was racing, my breathing was heavy and tears were steaming down my face.

We were just “boys” who are now veterans of an adventure (in a strange way) that stays with you for the rest of your life.

Ray Sheldon
Kaaawa