Hawaii lags in plans for global warming

Richard Borreca’s column on global warming in Hawaii generated active discussion (“Global warming should be on governor’s agenda,” On Politics, Star-Advertiser, April 5). But don’t shoot the messenger.

Instead, educate yourselves from a credible source, the National Academy of Sciences. The recent three-volume academy report, “America’s Climate Choices,” contains this statement: “Some scientific conclusions have been so thoroughly examined and tested, and supported by so many independent observations and results, that their likelihood of being found wrong is vanishingly small. Such conclusions are then regarded as settled facts. This is the case for the conclusions that the Earth system is warming and that much of this warming is very likely due to human activities.”

The report concluded: “Strong evidence on climate change underscores the need for actions to reduce emissions and begin adapting to impacts.”

Hawaii is a leader in reducing emissions, but we lag behind in planning for the local impacts of climate change.

Chip Fletcher
University of Hawaii School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology

Prostitution stings are silly and costly

The state is broke, the city is broke. However, we can afford to spend our tax dollars on sting operations aimed at arresting individuals soliciting sex from undercover police officers.

I resent having to subsidize such operations.

It’s interesting how laws differ from state to state. If you go to Nevada, you will find legalized brothels. Prostitution has always existed and will continue to exist.  Unfortunately, puritanical morality has a lot to do with the vilification of prostitution.

If it were legalized, regulated and taxed, it would eliminate the silliness and embarrassment of such undercover stings.

Jean-Jacques Dicker
Honolulu

Police should focus on violent crimes

About the article concerning a prostitution sting, why was only one of four arrested named (“Obama friend arrested,” Star-Advertiser, April 7)? Why was this newsworthy? Aren’t there more important things the Honolulu police department could be doing with limited resources, such as investigating domestic violence?

Tadahiko Ono
Kaneohe

Pedestrians must take some responsibility

It has become a common occurrence to see confrontations between pedestrians and motorists on our busy streets.

Pedestrians give the stink eye, hold up their hands to say “Stop,” because here I come, or even to go so far as to yell at the vehicles in question.

Drivers, too, are getting fed up and are brushing past people crossing the streets, or even just ignoring the law altogether.

Pedestrians these days don’t even take the time to look before crossing. This is happening not only in crosswalks, but in driveways, parking lots and everywhere else someone needs to cross.

It is everyone’s responsibility to look out for each other, but pedestrians have taken it much further. They now feel they own the roads and if you hit them, they will sue.

The crosswalk law needs to be changed to make it safe and fair for all.

Clifton J.M. Uyeda
Waipahu

Greenwood’s funds just tip of the iceberg

I applaud you for investigating University of Hawaii President M.R.C. Greenwood’s use of special funds. There doesn’t seem to be any improper use revealed, as most items reported can probably be justified in her role as fundraiser-in-chief.

However, I think it would be worthwhile to look more closely at other aspects of the UH system, where large salaries, spending decisions and hiring choices could reveal more substantial improprieties.

The UH football coach makes twice as much as Greenwood. Does he have a similar slush fund?

What about the bloated salaries and expense accounts at the UH Foundation? Who gets plush salaries and perks off the top, while the campus programs and students who are the intended beneficiaries have to struggle to get the benefits of the funds donated for them?

Another area worth looking into are the well-paid deans, some of whom have hired unqualified  for positions they control, and also have discretionary funds at their disposal.

Tom Sheeran
Moiliili

Higher alcohol tax will hurt everyone

Simple economics tells us that when prices go up, purchases go down.

By raising the tax on alcohol, the government can expect to see a drop in consumption, which will result in not only less business for the hospitality industry but also less tax revenues for the government. This will put numerous businesses and jobs at risk for what will be, at best, a minimal increase in the tax revenues generated.

It is already hard enough to find a job in Hawaii, let alone run a business, and this tax will only make it harder.

We cannot target specific industries to carry the burden of the government. We all need to pitch in and find a broad-based solution to our deficit.

James E. Baloaloa
On-premise sales manager, Anheuser-Busch Sales of Hawaii

Hawaii well suited for algae production

Our electricity needs can be met by renewable energy, but we still are subject to volatile oil prices.

Biofuels compete for farmland and fresh water. Algae needs neither. Universities, the military, numerous airlines and governments worldwide are working with algae companies to produce fuel, yet Hawaii’s participation is limited. But with technology progressing rapidly and international crises continuing to push the cost of oil higher, algae biofuel is becoming increasingly more competitive.

With easy access to ocean water, the largely state-owned barren lava fields between the Kona Airport and Kawaihae Harbor could be transformed into productive algae ponds with demand centers at either end. Attractive lease terms could be worked out to induce algae companies to consider Hawaii, thereby providing jobs, stimulating the economy and helping stabilize shipping costs and airfares.

John Floyd
Kailua