I would like to echo the sentiment expressed in Kim Hum’s commentary earlier this month (“Local communities lead revival of nearshore marine life,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, June 11).

Hawaii’s environment is unique in the world. It is also fragile, facing a complex array of threats that require an entire community to address.

Malama Maunalua has been fortunate to have such a community assisting its efforts to restore Maunalua Bay. In the past 10 years, more than 10,000 people have volunteered with us, removing more than 3.5 million pounds of invasive alien algae.

Without the help of these individuals, as well as schools, businesses and organizations providing their support, the bay would be in a far worse state. While our work is far from complete, it is important to pause and look back at how far we’ve come.

If we all share the load, we can ensure that future generations will enjoy the pleasures we have derived from this amazing island home.

Doug Harper

Hawaii Kai

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Clinton should have spoken the truth

What a blessing it would have been if William Jefferson Clinton had spoken the truth about his relationship with Monica Lewinsky instead of denying it as he did in January 1998, when several news organizations made the relationship public (“Bill Clinton’s blame game doesn’t work anymore,” Star-Advertiser, Maureen Dowd, June 12).

Clinton did what has unfortunately become an integral part of our culture across the land, lying to protect oneself at the expense of others who have the right to know the truth.

As the nation’s highest official, Clinton caused immeasurable waste of the nation’s time and resources and, more importantly, undermined the spiritual foundation of our society. The scandal also had a negative impact beyond our borders.

We need to make speaking the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth “a motto to live by” in every facet of our lives.

Abolghassem Abraham Sadegh

Hilo

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Lift restrictions on alternative housing

The headline in Saturday’s paper screams, “High cost of housing drives up homeless rates, study finds” (Star-Advertiser, June 16).

Ya think?

The fact that the median home price on Oahu is nearing $780,000 is positively obscene.

Of course it is driving up homelessness. The only folks who can afford these prices are the 1 percenters, domestic and more notably foreign. All that is being built is inventory for rich investors.

Now, I don’t hold it against developers who want to make a profit — that is the American way — but something has got to give. The set-asides for “affordable units” in new developments are only window dressing.

It is high time that the virtual ban on mobile homes, prefabs, double-wides and the like in Hawaii is lifted. The technology is available to make them tasteful and they are, if nothing else, affordable.

Areas can be set aside where setbacks, lot sizes and some of the more onerous zoning restrictions are eased. A lot of structures will fit in a small area.

Gordon Fowler

Aiea

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Hypocritical to back Trump’s Korea effort

In 2007, then-presidential candidate Barack Obama was asked whether he would meet, without preconditions, the leaders of repressive regimes, including North Korea’s.

Obama responded in the affirmative. His response triggered an avalanche of criticism from the Republicans and right-wing media.

They called his idea naive, disturbing and irresponsible.

But when a Republican president did what Obama said he would do, the same vociferous critics of Obama hailed it as a stunning diplomatic breakthrough.

President Donald Trump showered North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with lavish praise, calling him “talented” and “honorable” and a “great negotiator” with a “great personality.”

If Obama had done what Trump did, Republicans would be screaming traitor and demanding impeachment.

While Trump was busy coddling the brutal dictator, his administration, in pursuance of his heartless “zero-tolerance” policy, was ripping crying babies from the arms of their mothers who were seeking asylum.

Family values have always been a hallmark of conservatism. But the GOP has now become the peddler of deceit, lies, hate and cruelty in its reverence for Trump.

Rod B. Catiggay

Mililani

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Buddhists condemn separating children

The Hawaii Association of International Buddhists voices our condemnation of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection policy of separating children from the rest of their families who have entered the U.S. seeking asylum.

We judge this policy as inhumane and un-American, as it can cause long-term harmful effects on these children and does not reflect our ethical values.

We request that this policy be halted immediately.

Thanh Huynh

Niu Valley

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Trump subjected to selective outrage

The ability of the mainstream media to separate average Americans from their ability to think rationally is remarkable (“Children aren’t bargaining chips,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, June 20).

In this case, all it took was a few widely circulated out-of-context photographs, at least one of which dated back to the Obama administration, and out came the hankies.

Many, including Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, have vocally supported the notion that we are a nation of laws regarding immigration. Entering the country illegally has for some time been considered an act subject to consequences under our criminal justice system.

Further, that parents and their children cannot be subject to adjudication together is consistent throughout that system, and not just applicable to illegal immigration.

Given its stake in President Donald Trump’s failure, it’s not surprising that the media would resort to tactics involving manipulation of selective outrage while excusing policies of the past.

Joan Rank

Waialua