Hawaii lax about gun database?

Last week, the Obama administration unveiled a set of proposals meant to address some recent concerns about gun violence.

A centerpiece of the proposals is a call for universal background checks for all who wish to purchase a firearm. However, the usefulness of the database has been undermined.

As revealed last week on CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley, Hawaii is among states that are the "least compliant reporters of mental health records" under the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System, established in 1998. Although the state requires anyone who wishes to purchase a firearm in Hawaii to undergo a background check, it does not fully contribute to the national database.

I would like our state officials to explain why we have not submitted this data, and if they plan to do anything about this omission.

While gunfire is heard in schoolyards across this nation, the silence of Hawaii officials since this report is deafening.

Stephen T. Hazam
Kakaako

Love is antidote to rising violence

Acts of violence evoke a whole range of judgments, from outright condemnation to extreme compassion. The rise of violence in recent months suggests that it is here to stay.

A reaction shared by many is for violence to be met by the availability of even more lethal weapons. This offers little solace for the aggrieved families involved. Neither is violence limited to the egregious display of savagery we have witnessed in the massacre of children at Newtown.

Violence is more endemic in our culture than its occasional dramatic eruption would have us believe. It has planted its roots deep in our collective psyche. It will continue to wreak havoc unless we are willing to examine its spiritual core by digging diligently into our respective faiths to re-discover its universal antidote: the spirit of love.

Outside of this, we are seeking to address its symptoms — and putting off the quest for a lasting solution.

Al Braidwood
Kaneohe

Tourism profits bailing out state

I think it is obvious that Hawaii is following the economic strategy: It is easier to make more than it is to spend less.

With visitors coming to Hawaii in 2012 pushing through the 8 million mark, tourism is pulling Hawaii out of the hole. This economic strategy works well until the Legislature makes the mistake of taking more from the industry in taxes.

Should the Legislature decide to increase the transient accommodations tax and excise tax, it will blunt tourism’s momentum.

We are shooting for 8.5 million visitors in 2013. Now, let’s kokua to make that happen.

Bob Hampton
Hawaii Kai

Online dating not a top issue

There are millions of individuals worldwide involved in online dating. There are probably a couple in your own family, even those commenting, especially those "experts" who feel superior. ‘Nuff said. Cut! Pau! Move on. There are many issues facing our islands, our families, our young people. A 21-year-old’s love life has nothing to do with you.

Ben Shafer
Hauula

Developers must malama the aina

When developers plan for the development of a parcel of land, as a rule they don’t think environmentally. Cost and profit are the main focus.

So they prepare for the densest plan possible. They level the land, disturbing the topography and stability, divert the water flow and remove any trees or greenery.Rainwater can no longer filter to the aquifers, as it is diverted to storm drains and the ocean.Each structure will need water, electricity, rubbish disposal, sewer and traffic accommodation. All this in the long run affects everyone as resources get more stressed.

Malama the aina is not just a catch phrase. It is an imperative everyone should respect. We are on an island with limited space. We need open space as much as we need housing. Open space is not dollar signs going to waste. It is vital to sustain some quality of life. Any proposal to limit oversight should not be allowed.

Mary Louise O’Brien
Kaneohe

Sowell promotes sanitized history

Thomas Sowell misses the mark in his column, "Schools being misused to undermine our society" (Star-Advertiser, Jan. 12).

Sowell says, "The history that is taught in too many schools is a history that emphasizes everything that has gone bad … in America."

While children are not being taught that war is a game of heroes where the good guys never get maimed, nor are they taught to ignore the mistakes of our past — segregation, slavery, sweat shops. They are learning about our mistakes to better understand the present. This doesn’t fit the narrative that government is the enemy, freedoms are never abused, America is never wrong and war answers all quarrels.

Reality teaches that sometimes people must struggle to overcome injustice, government has a vital role in leveling the playing field and all people deserve respect.

Sowell wants a whitewashed history to justify his reality.

Peter Barmus
Kailua

All rights must be protected

The media, American Civil Liberties Union and others need to join, not oppose, gun owners in their fight to preserve the Second Amendment.

History documents many societies, once free, that have gone over to the dark side of oppression: the Romans in ancient times and the Germans and Spanish more recently. In most of these cases the change was gradual; those who would take over are very patient. One step at a time.

The Second Amendment must stand, or the press freedoms in First Amendment will be next.

What would follow? I’d bet the Fourth Amendment. The waters are already being tested for warrantless searches and wire taps. After all, if you are doing nothing wrong, what have you to hide?

We must not cherry-pick our support for the rights guaranteed by the founders. They must be supported in their entirety or we will lose them all.

Gordon Fowler
Aiea

Give ‘skills list’ to aid parenting

Gov. Neil Abercrombie wants taxpayers to come up with more than $32 million for preschools because kids are a year or two behind when starting elementary school. Why? Parents and kindergarten teachers aren’t able to get them ready.

The Waianae Coast School Concerns Coalition offered a simple solution in 1987, which was to provide parents of preschoolers a check-off list of skills a child entering school should have. The list would be turned in when registering for school. However, the Department of Education refused to provide the skills list. The WCSCC then, with the help of the late Leeward District Superintendent Edward Nakano, came up with a pamphlet on how parents can help their child. Copies were distributed until donation funds ran out.

Bill Punini Prescott
Nanakuli