Spearfishing ban will cause problems

On Friday, four unelected functionaries on the Board of Land and Natural Resources voted to outlaw the taking of fish with a spear while using scuba gear, on the west side of Hawaii island.

Something is seriously wrong here. These are called "administrative rules," but make no mistake, they have all the force of law behind them. Thousands of people and potential lifestyles are liable to be affected. Subsistence gatherers and recreational fisherman alike are in line for a whole new paradigm. Small commercial fishing businesses will fail. Those who depend on the ocean for food may go hungry. Netting will increase, and we will see more Cloroxing of holes with far-reaching results.

The consequences of violating this new "law"? Citations will be issued, summons sent, folks will go to court where fines will be levied, equipment confiscated, and potentially people will go to jail, and not a single person who voted to enact this silliness will ever have to answer to the electorate.

Gordon Fowler
Aiea

Gay marriage can boost state’s coffers

It seems like our politicians are always looking for ways to raise money ("Officials looking to raise revenue," Star-Advertiser, June 27). Unfortunately, they can’t see the forest because the trees keep getting in the way. I would like to offer a suggestion.

Ask the governor to call a special session of the Legislature to bring "marriage" equality to Hawaii. After all, we have everything except the official name already, so what’s the big deal?

CNN has reported that in 2012, gay guests in New York brought in almost $65 million in hotel revenue alone. California expects at least $40 million in new tax revenue this year from gay wedding-related taxes, according to the .

It’s no secret that weddings can bring in a lot of money to our state. Let’s face it: This could be a bonanza.

Same-sex marriage is going to happen sooner or later. That’s pretty obvious after the recent Supreme Court ruling. More than 80 percent of people under age 30 approve of it. Even the latest Star-Advertiser informal "Big Q" survey showed overwhelming support. We just need the governor to act now.

Walter Mahr
Mililani

Democrats should heed Pelosi’s words

"If you want our vote, you have to have our input," Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi warned Speaker John Boehner on pending immigration legislation, alluding to the farm bill.

That is sound advice that Hawaii Democratic Party Chairman Dante Carpenter should heed. Carpenter claims that his First Amendment right to freedom of association is infringed by Hawaii’s open primary, allowing any registered voter to vote in the Democratic Party primary election. This is short-sighted.

It also infringes on my right to freedom of association as a registered Democrat, preventing my association with non-party members to select candidates who could defeat Republicans in the general election.

Carpenter’s position also would increase the polarization of the Democratic Party, just as the over-reliance on "tea party" voters pushed the Republican Party into a far right corner it is unable to govern.

Ed Gaffney
Ewa Beach

Zoning exemptions allow too much

There is so much spinning going on here I’m getting dizzy.

The Central YMCA project is just another example of how much our government doesn’t care about people’s wishes (through the neighborhood boards), or what the zoning laws are all about, or following the simple rules that are laid down by them. To change anything now, all you need is a good spin doctor, a government entity saying employment and jobs will support a rail system, and lots of money to buy history and whatever else is for sale in Hawaii.

Enough! We’re dizzy enough with taxes, and now we are asked to accept the further loss of space: The aina isn’t enough; now let’s take away all open space and views.

Forget about the previous generations, who followed the rules called zoning. With prices beginning at $600,000 and running to $2-3 million, I’m so sure the occupants will be thrilled to ride the rail!

Bill Munekata
Ala Moana

West side needs better access road

After reading Sunday’s article about Northern Mexico’s 140-mile highway spanning a 1,200-foot gorge and boasting 115 bridges and 61 tunnels, I cannot help but wonder why it is that Hawaii is unable to build some sort of access from Farrington Highway to the North Shore — by any estimation, a minimal distance ("Engineering marvel," Star-Advertiser, June 30).

As always, the needs of West Oahu remain unaddressed. Anyone living on the Waianae Coast is painfully aware of the lack of concern, not only for our daily travel challenges, but also for the safety concern of "one road in one road out"’ and for the inability of those living on other parts of the island to reach our shoreline without circumnavigating Oahu.

Vanessa Shea
Waianae

Homeless should avoid public areas

People camping and setting up house on public sideways are not being singled out because they are homeless. They are being sought after because of where they are camping — public sidewalks.

Camp off the public sidewalks, out of the public eye. Find somewhere that will not be a nuisance to the public and they more than likely will not be bothered. But they keep moving right back into public areas.

Those homeless that really are trying to better themselves are not the ones camping on sidewalks — they are off the beaten path or living in vehicles or shelters. Those on the public sidewalks are not doing a thing to better themselves.

Let’s get the facts straight. We need to know whom to help and help those who want it.

Clifton T. Johnson
Honolulu