The Port of Honolulu does not need another fireboat maintained and operated by the Honolulu Fire Department (“Study finds that Honolulu needs a fireboat,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Nov. 21).

The HFD has already proven its inability to maintain a fireboat, letting its last boat, the Moku Ahi, fall into total disrepair while in its care. The Moku Ahi was commissioned in 1990 and would still be operational if it had been maintained by professional mariners. You can find many vessels operating in Honolulu Harbor much older than the Moku Ahi would be today.

If a fireboat is needed, then contract with a local tug company to outfit an operational harbor tug with the required water cannons and foam monitors. If there is an emergency, then firefighters along with professional mariners can respond to the scene. This tug with its firefighting capabilities would still have the ability to earn its keep by performing ship assist work, not just sitting idle in a firehouse.

Jack Lutey

Professional mariner

Haleiwa

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Act swiftly to save Discovery Center

Survival of the Children’s Discovery Center is dire. Fencing installed around Kakaako Waterfront Park to keep the homeless from returning, including the parking lot and entrance to the center, has had the devastating impact of impeding access by families to the center.

To children, this wonderful gem is like walking into a giant toy box where they are free to roam, explore, imagine and discover delightful experiences unavailable anywhere else within 2,500 miles. So much work and love have been poured into creating this inspirational setting; it would be akin to a sin to let it die, provoking profound sadness and, frankly, rage that this was allowed to happen.

There are solutions to this problem. Time is of the essence. Patience is no longer an option. Little children and the center cannot wait for the grownups to save them. It’s impossible to calculate the cost of this tragedy that can be prevented.

To the question, “How long will the fencing remain? Indefinitely” is not an answer. Sadly, “How long will the center be closed? Forever” is.

Linda Hunter

Honokaa, Hawaii island

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Bible would benefit wayward president

It was noble of Cal Thomas to address the need for morality in our society (“With scandals proliferating, it’s time to turn to the Bible,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 21).

He mentioned Harvey Weinstein, Bill Clinton, Roy Moore and Al Franken, just to name a few who might have benefited from the Bible verse, “Those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same. He who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption” (Galatians 6:7-8).

But he neglected to mention our president, Donald Trump, who has been alleged in multiple cases of sexual assault and harassment. From the “E.T.” videotape to voyeurism of young women and teens in various stages of undress, it is at the very least a blaring oversight of un-Christian behavior — or a case of “look the other way.”

Lorraine Ortega

Waikiki

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Tax bill coverage biased, distorted

I don’t pretend to grasp all the ramifications of the Republican tax reform bill, but I have heard enough from several economists to understand that it is not as simple as, “Republicans tax plans put corporations over people,” as your headline suggests (Star-Advertiser, Nov. 17). If those economists are right, the corporate tax cuts serve to benefit the “people” in the long run.

In another story, “Families face soaring insurance costs” (Star-Advertiser, Nov. 17), the writer quotes some consumer who says Obamacare worked under President Barack Obama and now blames President Donald Trump for its failure, clearly not recognizing how insurance costs lag until experience catches up with underwriting forecasts.

I’m not a big fan of Trump, but such biased and distorted coverage is turning me into a Trump supporter.

Michael Tymn

Kailua

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Deduction subsidizes wasteful local taxes

Elimination of the deduction of state and local taxes (SALT), included in federal tax reform bills, have been featured prominently in recent news reports (“GOP tax plan would hit isle taxpayers hard,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 12).

A local reporter and other sources told us that taxpayers in high-tax states, like Hawaii, would bear unfair tax burdens. The articles neglected to report the rest of the story.

This deduction subsidizes expensive and inefficient local services and near-bankrupt public pension programs. We are told that high SALT are essential for public services and safety, but where is the evidence that high taxes produce better schools, modern infrastructure and public safety? When we see examples like the escape from Hawaii State Hospital and delays in the airport renovation project, calls for high local taxes ring hollow.

Hawaii advocates federal programs while taking advantage of deductions to minimize payment for these services. In our case, Hawaii receives $4 for every $1 paid in federal taxes, but Hawaii wants others to pay our bills. More balanced coverage on this issue would be appreciated.

Jim McDiarmid

Mililani