Mental illness links many issues

Daily we hear of antisocial behavior involving violent crime, addictions, suicides and harmful parenting. We are also reminded of the continuing needs of the homeless. While there is no one solution to each of these problems, there is a common underlying link to mental health.

When will increased mental health screening and treatment be acknowledged as a critical and immediate step needed to improve social order and well being? How many more headlines will it take for those placed in positions of authority to have the will to lead in this effort?

William Posenecker
Haleiwa

Callies outside legal mainstream

Although not accurate, David Callies’ criticism of the Hawaii Supreme Court and our laws is understandable ("David Callies," Star-Advertiser, Name in the News, Jan. 11). After all, Callies has long been a paid advocate for the largest landowners and developers in the state.

He argued against efforts to save Sandy Beach from urban encroachment. He opposed the full restoration of streams for windward Oahu so that water would be available for more development. He unsuccessfully argued to the Hawaii Supreme Court against Turtle Bay having to prepare a supplement to its outdated environmental impact statement. He fought against the legal ruling, issued in Public Access Shoreline Hawaii v. Hawaii County Planning Commission (PASH), that protects traditional Native Hawaiian practices.

He claims that the exemptions provided to the Public Land Development Corporation are similar to those provided to the Hawaii Community Development Authority. In fact, a careful reading of HRS Section 171C-19 and HRS Section 206E-7 reveals that the PLDC’s exemptions are far more sweeping, as confirmed by the executive director of the HCDA.

He also says that Turtle Bay has all its discretionary permits. Actually, the Turtle Bay project still needs to obtain subdivision approval, which is a discretionary approval.

It is Callies who is far outside the mainstream — not the Court.

David Kimo Frankel
Attorney, Native Hawaiian Legal Corp.

What happened to symphony?

Where is the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra?

Recently I chose to move permanently from the mainland to Honolulu. But where is the orchestra I expected to find?

Referring to its immediate predecessor the Honolulu Symphony, the immortal violinist Sir Yehudi Menuhin declared, "This orchestra can become the most important orchestra in the whole of the Pacific basin … the musical voice of the vastest region on the surface of our globe."

Grace E. Evans
Kailua

Kakaako subject to rising sea level

It’s quite interesting that an article this past Sunday revealed an interest and initial movement to establish a presidential center in Hawaii for President Barack Obama ("Aloha, Obama Center," Star-Advertiser, Jan. 13).

One of the suggested locations is on the Kakaako oceanfront area.

It’s not that I am against having a presidential library or center here, the place of his birth. Just the opposite. I wish it will be a reality. But on the Kakaako waterfront, a few feet facing the Pacific Ocean?

The president has not been a strong active advocate seeking answers to the issue of climate change and global warming. If he is not convinced, then he wouldn’t mind having a center built at the Kakaako waterfront.

If it is built and years into the future, rising waters threaten the state, will the structure be high enough to protect the contents?

Paul Fung
Nuuanu

Rename center after Sen. Inouye

The late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye was a big supporter of the East-West Center. This would be an appropriate memorial to honor his years of service to Hawaii and keep his name alive in Hawaii, the nation and throughout the world.

This follows the naming of University of Hawaii’s medical school for John A. Burns, its law school for William S. Richardson, and its baseball stadium for Les Murakami. All are legacies to each man who dedicated many years to improve our great state.

Becky Brown
Kaneohe