Money not why Gabbard won

I must respond to Rian McMullin’s letter claiming Tulsi Gabbard "bought" the election with big money ("Big money explains Tulsi Gabbard’s win," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Aug. 14).

On the contrary, there are hundreds of her volunteers on all islands who worked tirelessly — sign holding, going door to door, calling people on the phone, as well as raising funds to support her. Voters were ready for the fresh new leadership that Tulsi Gabbard represents.

Yes, Gabbard did get help from independent grassroots organizations that believed in her and felt they had a right to be heard: Vote Vets, an organization that supports war veterans who served in Afghanistan; Emily’s List, a national progressive women’s organization; and the Sierra Club, supporting candidates who care about the environment.

Congratulations, Tulsi. You will represent us well in Washington, D.C.

Linda Wong
Makiki

Hyperbole hurts political debate

Steve Hinton decries the Affordable Care Act as "arguably the most egregious attack on individual liberty in the nation’s history" ("Health care act attacks freedom," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Aug. 10).

I find this to be an almost laughable statement, given some of the lowlights of our history. A brief list includes: slavery, the Trail of Tears, segregation laws and the World War II internment camps.

It’s fine if one wants to oppose Obamacare, but let’s try to keep the hyperbole in check and be a bit more historically accurate.

Alika Campbell
Kailua

UH plagued by mismanagement

Dave Reardon references the mismanagement, naivete and lack of accountability that exists in the University of Hawaii’s athletics department and administrative upper echelon ("Donovan’s new job adds to cost of UH concert fiasco," Star-Advertiser, Further Review, Aug. 13).

Instead of demanding a thorough and complete investigation, Tom Apple, the new Manoa chancellor, apparently agreed to a quick solution. As a result, Jim Donovan is transferred to another well-paying job, Rich Sheriff continues as arena manager and taxpayers continue to pay the bills.

Wake up, folks; it’s your hard-earned money that these people are spending. As Reardon points out, there is still no indication of the total cost of this debacle and who is responsible.

How about stopping the hoopla of the football team and clean up this mess, which appears to have many loose ends?

How thorough is this investigation?

Tony Locascio
Waikiki

14 times seem a little excessive

Because I have a land line and am listed in the phone book, I was subjected to 14 political phone calls in the past couple of months.

Some were live people, most were recorded. I answered the first few calls politely, but then I became annoyed — 14 calls? Same questions, more or less?

I don’t think I’m the only multiple victim here. How can any political poll be taken seriously if the same people are called repeatedly? Don’t the poll takers and their clients realize that counting my opinion 14 times does not give an accurate sampling?

Yes, I have a cellphone. No, I did not get one political call on it.

Carol Gerstl
Kailua

Fish stocks along coasts dwindling

It’s time — in fact, it’s well past time — that meaningful regulations are enacted to protect our near- shore resources in Hawaii.

The current fishing regulations are a slap in the face to our already depleted fish stocks.With no bag limits, or size limits that allow fish to reach sexual maturity for breeding, it’s no wonder that our fish stocks are in a dismal and constant downward spiral.

When the fisherman is asking for increased regulation, you know there is a problem.

Enough with the complacency, red tape and outright neglect from agencies and government officials whom we elected to help maintain and improve our resources. Now we ask them to do their job in helping our future generations by creating bag limits for nearshore regulated species.

Jeremy Selg
Owner, Spearfish Maui, Lahaina

NOAA derelict on debris issue

The article, "Oceanic quirk shielded from majority of tsunami debris," was incorrect and failed to accurately report on the significant amount of debris that has entered the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument (Star-Advertiser, Aug. 10).

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was supposed to address the problems of debris in the monument and the damage to corals and other endangered species with a comprehensive plan nearly 18 months ago. In fact, no plan was prepared. In May, Congress received testimony from NOAA’s David Kennedy, in which he admitted that NOAA had no plan or accurate data to address the debris problem and that it was being left up to the states, including Hawaii, to handle.

Instead of reporting on the estimated 1 million tons of debris that is moving in Hawaii waters (including the monument) the story reported on the 4 million tons that "missed Hawaii."

Mililani B. Trask
Olaa, Hawaii island

Work waiver has a condition

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced an option for states to offer their own plans to put more welfare recipients into the work force. The catch: To obtain this waiver, a state must show that its plan would put 20 percent more recipients to work.

Enter E. Thomas McClanahan and his clever use of verbal jujitsu to condemn President Barack Obama for weakening the welfare reform law, when in fact he has made it stronger ("Waiving of work requirement for welfare is huge mistake," Star-Advertiser, Insight, Aug. 13).

By focusing on the "waiver" option, without mentioning the 20 percent improvement requirement, McClanahan gives a very strong — albeit false — impression that Obama fits the mythical dependency culture stereotype.

We have seen that this president cares deeply for the less fortunate, but, counter to McClanahan’s depiction, Obama’s policies offer equal opportunities for upward mobility, not dependency.

Dorien McClellan
Maili

Local Olympians did a great job

The fire is out but not extinguished. It still burns in all those who are a part of the Olympic family.

Another grand and glorious Olympics is finished. What a spectacle it was. Thank you, London.

Congratulations to all Olympians, their families, and the volunteers that made it all possible.But especially to our local Olympians: Aloha, and safe journey home. Mahalo for giving us the opportunity to share this with you, and good luck in Rio 2016!

Robert R. Sloan
Olympic Sports Medicine Society Honolulu