Kim was out of line to call UH president

I think that Sen. Donna Mercado Kim usually does a good job and is a good custodian of the public’s money.

I think, however, that she overstepped by personally contacting University of Hawaii President M.R.C. Greenwood about her son’s law school application.

Regardless of whether Greenwood’s or Kim’s interpretation of their conversation is the correct one, can you imagine what would happen if everyone who had a son or daughter contacted the school president to check on their child’s application?

Sadly, it often happens that with power comes a sense of entitlement. If Kim was only checking to see if her son had applied, not trying to influence whether he would be admitted, why didn’t she simply ask her son if he had applied instead of throwing her weight around by contacting Greenwood?

It rings false to say that she was not trying to exert pressure.

Sandy Gottesman
Moiliili

Kakaako projects will kill ‘sky’ views

When my husband and I refinanced our mortgage last fall, the appraiser checked on her form "sky" for one of our views.

With the construction and planning of all of the Waikiki and Kakaako skyscrapers, Honolulu residents can no longer take for granted their view of the sky.

To paraphrase Joni Mitchell, "They paved over paradise and put up behemoths."

Laura M. Fink
Makiki

Combine urgent and emergency care

Seeking after-hours health care can be a daunting challenge for patients who face long waiting times in emergency departments but limited resources at urgent care clinics.

Minor problems can contribute to a backlog and inefficient use of services at emergency departments.

Conversely, a serious problem presented to an urgent care clinic can result in a delay of treatment if the patient requires transfer to an emergency department.

Combining urgent care and emergency services at the same physical location, a hospital for example, would allow patients to be triaged to urgent care for minor problems or to emergency service for more serious illness. This model, used by the Mayo Clinic and other hospitals, can provide a more efficient and cost-effective use of health care resources.

As Queen’s Medical Center moves forward to restructure Queen’s Medical Center-West, it should consider this model; other hospitals should consider it as well. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.

Dr. Michael Bornemann
Hawaii Kai

Boy Scouts decision still insufficient

The Boys Scouts of America’s decision to lift the ban on gay Scouts is nothing to celebrate.

The message it is now telling our gay Scouts is that they have no future since they are gay, which is mean-spirited and completely false. In fact, the decision does more damage than the full ban.

The long-term damage this decision will have on our young gay Scouts is downright scary, given that having a strong self-esteem and a belief in a bright future are determining factors in whether a person is going to be a well-adjusted and contributing adult member of society.

This decision by the BSA does nothing to further those goals; in fact, it totally undermines them.

So I will hold my congratulations until the BSA lifts its ban on all LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) members, as well as atheists.

Michael Golojuch Jr.
Chairman, Honolulu Pride

Patients need legal pot dispensaries

Like the Star-Advertiser ("Medical cannabis belongs under health auspices," Our View, May 23), we applaud the Legislature’s improvements to the state’s 13-year-old program. The measures passed this session are a promising start to a much-needed update.

You have the details backward, however, in your description of Senate Bill 642: The new law would increase the amount a patient may possess to 4 ounces, and replace the confusing "three mature, four immature plants" language with a simple seven plants total.

To further clarify, medical marijuana is not "prescribed (and) dispensed" at present. Physicians write a recommendation, not a prescription (which is not recognized under federal law), and marijuana is not legally "dispensed" by anyone.

A tightly regulated state-authorized system of distribution remains the highest priority for patients in Hawaii, especially for those, like many kupuna, who are unable to grow their own and are still forced to the black market to obtain their medicine.

Pamela Lichty
President, Drug Policy Action Group

Name-change issue bodes well for Jay

Athletic Director Ben Jay planned this name choice beautifully. I couldn’t believe he came out so forcefully that this is what the name is going to be from now on. He gave it time to simmer. He got supporters, students, the public, etc., all worked up and got a consensus name.

So he got a name that a majority agreed on, he got a name to use without fuss and maintained support from all.

I believe Jay is going to do good things for the University of Hawaii.

Donald Murakami
Liliha

Naming ship after Inouye is deserved

The late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye fought for our country and served Hawaii so impeccably that he made a positive change.

Inouye is well deserving of a Navy destroyer being named after him. He left us with great and respected honors. May his name live on forever.

Peggy Pacheco
Las Vegas, Nev.