Dentists doing their part for oral health

The cartoon of a dashboard fluoride-free hula figurine with decayed teeth (Star-Advertiser, Oct. 9) represents a sobering reality for too many Hawaii children.

Hawaii dentists have consistently supported efforts to approve water fluoridation in our state.

We also support appropriate use of teledentistry and state funding for adult dental Medicaid coverage.

We are encouraged by ongoing state efforts to improve oral health through the state Department of Education.

We commend the state Department of Health for drawing attention to these troubling statistics and look forward to collaborating further to help improve Hawaii’s oral health.

Steve Wilhite, DDS

President, Hawaii Dental Association

Treaty with Japan unfair to Americans

The United States spends $5.5 billion per year to provide military defense to Japan.

Under the defense treaty, the U.S. is obligated to defend Japan, even if Japan provokes another country such as China, yet there is no reciprocal clause in the treaty.

As long as the U.S. military is defending Japan, U.S. citizens should have the right to live, work, study and operate a business in Japan, on an equal basis with Japanese citizens.

It is unfair that Hawaii and U.S. taxpayers are footing the bill for Japan’s security, as a result of Japan’s bad behavior in World War II, yet U.S. citizens cannot benefit from the fruits of the security.

The Rev. Dr. Eric Hafner

Mountain View

Research candidates before you cast vote

What would Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton do as president?

Clinton stands with Black Lives Matter, thus continuing the decay of race relations. Trump understands the necessity of policing for a civil society.

Trump supports school choice; Clinton supports teacher unions that have tried to strangle it.

We know who supports high taxes to grow government, more regulations to strangle small business, sanctuary cities, open borders and more Syrian refugees.

Shouldn’t we hear their opinions of President Barack Obama’s efforts to force schools to allow boys into girls’ locker rooms and onto sports teams? Our own congressional delegation is silent on this issue.

When you vote, just be aware of what you are getting.

Carol R. White

Punchbowl

Foul-mouthed men comprise big group

Donald Trump’s lewd comments amount to locker room talk (“Trump apologizes after lewd comments surface,” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 8).

After spending decades in a leading California tennis club, I unfortunately became quite familiar with this kind of talk. Not all men, but quite a lot would exhibit disgusting narratives about their sexual desires and conquests.

Later they would stand in line to sign up for a tennis court. When ladies were present, these same foul-mouthed men would exhibit all sorts of verbal niceties and polite behavior. Their duplicity always offended me, but that was the way it was.

As for the demand that Trump apologize to the women of the world, if all men guilty of this were to stand in line, the line would never end.

Milton Allione

Kailua

Presidential debates just entertainment

Was I watching the second debate for the most-sought-after and important job in history, or was I watching a satirical Netflix show?

It’s a shame that most people tuned in not to see any real discussions about policy, but rather what was going to be said against whom.

And it’s not the fault of the viewers. It’s the fault of decades of failed politics and policies. Decades of lies and pandering.

People have grown tired of the government helping itself and leaving others out in the cold. This election is an example of the frustration of the voters.

Whichever way the vote goes in November, you can rest assured that media spin doesn’t have the impact it once had and more people are aware and researching on their own.

Let’s hope the final debate can bring back some integrity to our presidency.

James Logue

Chinatown

Hawaii GOP should disavow Trump

On Aug. 20, news media reported that the Hawaii Republican Party had “disavowed a controversial congressional candidate who had posted racial and vulgar attacks online.”

Angela Kaaihue was first noticed due to her “distasteful” campaign signs.

This was news for a day and by the end of the week it was all over.

Hawaii Republican Party Chairman Fritz Rohlfing said, “Her vulgar, racially bigoted, and religiously intolerant descriptions of Democratic Party candidates are offensive, shameful and unacceptable in public discourse. I unconditionally denounce her despicable statements. I strongly urge all Hawaii Republicans to join me in disavowing her candidacy.”

How long will it take for the Hawaii Republican Party to disavow Donald Trump for his vulgar, racially bigoted and religiously intolerant comments toward women, Mexicans and Muslims, as well as Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton?

Do Trump’s comments represent the views, values or the sentiments of the people of Hawaii or the Hawaii Republican Party?

We are stronger together and better because we are the people of aloha.

Natalie Kama

Kahului