Aquarium fish already are scarce

Your article, "Aquarium fish industry proposes collecting rules" (Star-Advertiser, Nov. 4), was one-sided.

State aquatic biologist Alton Miyasaka provided no scientific reef fish population research. In fact, he wrote a 1991 business guide, "Hawaii’s Aquarium Fish Industry," to assist aquarium collectors.

Large schools of yellow tang are gone. Recently, I snorkeled Waimea Bay reef, down to Shark’s Cove and back. I saw one yellow tang and two butterfly fish.

Millions of tourists arrive annually to swim with these wonderful fish. I can’t overemphasize the dire economic effect to our state when these fish are gone.

It’s crazy to realize that it’s unlawful to "take, break/damage, any implement, any rock or coral to which marine life of any type is visibly attached" (HAR 13-95-71), but not the fish that are an integral part of that ecosystem.

North Atlantic cod disappeared from overfishing in the 1970-80s. What have we learned?

Gregg Gruwell
Waikiki

HPD followed rules in booking suspect

While the Honolulu Police Department will not comment specifically on the bail amount set in the recent Waikiki shooting, we would like to share some insight into the process of obtaining bail for a person who has been arrested and charged with a crime ("Low bail, swift release suggest to some that suspect had help," Star-Advertiser, Nov. 9).

When someone is arrested, the HPD has 48 hours in which to either charge or release the person.

As part of the charging process, the detective must contact a judge and ask that bail be set.

At that time, information, including facts and circumstances of the case and the suspect’s criminal history, employment, residential status and location and risk of flight, is relayed to the judge.

While the detective may ask for a certain bail amount, it is ultimately the judge’s decision as to the amount set.

To suggest or allude that police handled this case improperly is wrong.

The HPD will not jeopardize the integrity of this investigation by revealing more information or commenting on speculation and rumor. We ask the public to be patient and wait for the facts and circumstances to come out at trial. Both sides will have a chance to present their cases in court.

Capt. Andrew Lum
Honolulu Police Department

Aloha shirt decision was snub to Hawaii

Hawaii hosts this big-deal, high-price-tag economic summit, enduring inconveniences way beyond our wildest imagination. Then, if that was not enough, endures economic blight in areas that were supposed to have profited as a result of this meeting.

But the coup de grace was that on a picture-perfect day, the opportunity to show it all off with perhaps the most tastefully designed shirt ever created for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders was cast off in favor of business suits?

Am I the only one who feels our aloha spirit was snubbed because it supposedly sent the wrong message? We had one photo op to showcase Hawaii nei. Auwe, Mr. President!

Joe Hilton
Honolulu

Oil pipeline delay was re-election ploy

The recent decision by President Barack Obama to delay the Keystone international pipeline project, ostensibly for further environmental review, is the wrong decision at the wrong time.

The project — which has already been extensively vetted and is supported by the U.S. Department of State, labor unions and the refinery industry of the Gulf states — would bring additional oil supplies down from Canada to the mainland U.S. and produce tens of thousands of new energy jobs.

With the economy still struggling, unemployment so high and a big need to secure energy supplies from stable regions, this project has rightfully been termed a "no-brainer."

The key beneficiary of this postponement is the president’s re-election prospect. His environmentalist base would have turned away were he to have let this project proceed at this time.

Curtis Beck
Hilo

HawTel workers have costly benefits

We receive news delivered in sound — and written — bites.

A recent article reported that the Hawaiian Telcom union takes issue with reduced sick leave benefits — but as it turns out, members get 26 weeks a year!

That’s six months paid leave. The company offered eight weeks, but included long-term disability and long-term care, both of which cost a significant amount of money.

Health premiums are being cut. Workers are being asked for a 10 percent contribution toward combined employee and dependent coverage.

And, yes, the pension plan would be frozen, but a 401(k) would match dollar for dollar up to 10 percent of pay.

In Hawaii, where most people are surviving at the most basic level, Hawaiian Telcom employees have costly and generous benefits. When added to wage increases, they could easily drive up phone rates.

Heather Huel
Kailua

Lee right to oppose school advertising

Rep. Chris Lee’s call for state money for public schools resonates with just about everyone ("Schools are for education, not advertising," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Nov. 7).

Money for education should come from the state, not from corporate sponsor advertising (i.e., banners with business and product logos, on campuses and in classrooms, etc.).

Young children could very easily mistake an independent advertising message for fact. If the message is delivered at school, the implication is that the information is correct. Children cannot reasonably be expected to distinguish between education and indoctrination.

As Rep. Lee argues: "If advertising had no effect, corporations would not be so eager to advertise in our schools."

Connie Oliva
Kailua