Allow casinos in Hawaii

I agree with Dennis Enomoto’s letter pointing out the many benefits, especially the ailing economy, that could be gained by allowing casinos to operate in Hawaii ("Legalize gambing on Lanai only," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Oct. 24). Everything he states is a plus from the standpoint of increasing revenues for the state.

Additionally, I suggest that the governor and legislators rethink the gambling issue and invite big-name casino operators from Las Vegas to submit proposals for the right to operate here. They could put up their own building with the architectural grandeur of Las Vegas without cost to the state. Hawaii is a world-renowned destination for vacationers and could draw from the vast Asian market, in which gambling is culturally accepted. The residual effect of the visitor spending could trickle down throughout the business community. Wake up, Hawaii. You are missing the boat!

Glen S. Arakaki
Honolulu

Evolution fits science, faith

The Christian war against evolution is unfounded.The endless process of creation did not suddenly cease 6,000 years ago.Another term for evolution is "change and transformation," and almost every scientist on Earth validates it as a factual, tangible, provable reality. Science begins with questions and theories that are subject to change, while religion begins with assumptions and conclusions carved in stone.

Science does not try to usurp religion by negating the concept of ultimate origin, first cause of existence or a Creator — it simply does not venture into that arena. It appears that evolution is simply part of an endless creation process by God, Creator, divine intelligence, life, reality (or whatever one chooses to call it), which is much more infinite than our finite minds can grasp. Evolution neither negates nor affirms the Genesis of Christians. I see peace, not conflict.

Bruce Lee
Hawaii Kai

Other cities restrict B&Bs

Ronald Berman of Berkeley, Calif., may well have had a wonderful time staying at a B&B in Hawaii Kai ("B&B made visit to Hawaii enjoyable," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Oct. 11). But did he ever wonder about the impacts of this resort activity on the quality of life of our residential neighborhoods, and on the housing needs of our local people? Every room, every cottage, every home rented out short-term is one less unit available to local residents. A diminishing supply escalates rental prices, which displaces and hurts local long-term renters.

Berkeley prohibits B&Bs in residential zoning. If Berkeley were as derelict in enforcing the law as is our city planning department, I would not have been able to afford living in Berkeley during my student years there. I would have been in the same situation as are many of today’s local young people, whose living space has been sacrificed to the interests of the illegal B&B industry.

Ursula Retherford
Kailua

Roger Christie unfairly jailed

The Hawaii International Drug Trafficking Summit met this week in Honolulu. I would like to point out to the participants and remind the public that our friend, the Rev. Roger Christie, remains in custody in federal prison without bail or trial since July 8, 2010, for growing, processing and distributing marijuana. U.S. District Judge Alan Kay ruled that Roger is "a danger to society."

This is a travesty of justice happening right here in Hawaii by the federal authorities of our own government, one that prides itself on its human rights record and goes around the world pointing fingers at abuses in other countries. To those who know him, Roger Christie is a peaceful man. We believe that marijuana prohibition is unjust and infringes on our inherent right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Those at the drug trafficking summit should vote to decriminalize marijuana and focus their attention on more dangerous drugs. Marijuana does not deserve its Schedule 1 status.

Ken Charon
Kurtistown