Coast Guard rescuers heroes

It seems like a small story, buried on the back pages ("11 saved from stricken vessel," Star-Advertiser, Newswatch, Aug. 16). Some people were taken off a boat and brought to the harbor.

If you’re sitting comfortably on dry land, this may not seem like a big deal. But for a sailor, to be in a boat in the open ocean that is taking on water is the most terrifying of experiences. The captain knows that the safety, perhaps survival, of all on board may depend on his or her skill and judgment.

So a vessel was in distress and the Coast Guard came. It was a simple story but a big story, and one often repeated several times a week in the waters around Hawaii.

Everyone owes a large debt of thanks to the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard. They may say they are just doing their jobs, but there is no such thing as a risk-free rescue. To me they are heroes.

Thomas A. Wills
Maunalani Heights

Civil rights not issue to vote on

Margaret Peary criticizes the "audacity" of our federal congressional delegates for "pushing their same-sex marriage agenda at the state level" and refers to the "pro-homosexual agenda" as being rammed down our throats.She suggests the general public vote on the issue.

I can’t imagine issues of civil rights being decided by popular vote.If this were the case, I doubt if African-Americans would have the right to vote today.

Anne P. Rauh
Kahala

Let people vote on gay marriage

The Legislature should not make the same-sex marriage decision for the people of Hawaii. The Legislature is subject to lobbying and money pressure, and acts contrary to the will of the people. The people of Hawaii should decide the issue in a referendum.

Paul Miller
Kaneohe

Sentence sent good message

Falysha Pierre-Lys was convicted of seven counts of theft and identity theft and sentenced to an indeterminate 20-year prison term for the most serious crime with concurrent prison terms for the remainder ("Woman, 22, is sentenced to 20 years for identity theft," Star-Advertiser, Aug. 8).

She was part of a crime ring that stole $179,000 in merchandise and tried to steal another $200,000 in less than six days. The Hawaii Paroling Authority will determine how much actual jail time she will serve — likely less than five years.

Comparing her sentence to the one imposed on Howell Mahoe Jr. 15 years ago is comparing fresh apples to fermented oranges ("Sentencing here makes no sense," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Aug. 16).

The sentence imposed on Pierre-Lys was fair and makes sense. It is not "tantamount to life sentence." Will it impair her modeling career? Absolutely, unless the Department of Public Safety needs a model to advertise new jumpsuits. The sentence imposed sent chillsthrough the criminal community she was running with. Good!

Rick Damerville
Hilo

Football team has a new name

After all the brouhaha about the nickname for the University of Hawaii men’s sports teams, and the eventual decision to name the teams the Rainbow Warriors, why is the Star-Advertiser now just using the "Warrior" name? The special sections dedicated to the 2013 UH football team are called "The Pulse of Warrior Football."

Is the paper trying to stir the pot again about the nickname of the team?

The paper needs to get with the program and use the official nickname: Rainbow Warriors.

Clint Abe
Kailua

Help celebrate Go Topless Day

This Sunday I will be celebrating Go Topless Day by enjoying my legal right to go topless in Hawaii.

Some may consider this indecent, but it was once considered indecent for women to wear pants and ride bicycles.

Women’s nipples are not obscene and are no more inherently sexual than men’s. Breasts have the capacity to bear milk for infants and deserve to be revered as symbols of comfort and nourishment. In many places in the world they are, as they were in ancient Hawaii.

Topless ladies in Hawaii deserve respect and aloha, not harassment. We are not harming anyone by being topless, are of no less moral character with our tops off than with them on, and are not "asking" to be sexually assaulted by being topless. Nor are we breaking any law.

Anyone who objects to our toplessness can simply go somewhere else.

Maura McCormick
Kakaako