Matson surprisingly unprepared for spill

I can’t put fish at the top of my list of favorite pets. But as an animal lover, I can’t imagine how anyone can look at the photos of the dead fish and those gasping for oxygen in Honolulu Harbor and not feel sympathy and disgust.

I don’t know what is more reprehensible: the molasses spill or the stunning repetition of "I don’t know" by Matson Senior Vice President Victor Angoco when queried by reporters. I’d have expected far more preparation for such an important news conference and a more extensive field of knowledge from an executive.

Adding insult to injury is Matson’s incredulous admission to having no emergency plan for the spill. While their website boasts a "meet or exceed" philosophy with "routine audits, drills and exercises" in compliance with national and international security, they clearly missed the mark when it came to the most logical of assurances: respect for our aina.

Cinde Fisher
Makiki

Act soon to prevent future harbor spills

Good news: Human life spared.

Bad news: Marine life and its environment suffered irreparably.

Unlike Boston’s Great Molasses Flood of 1919 that killed 21 people, we were very fortunate that no lives were lost. It was a tragic sight to behold as 14,000-plus fish appeared lifeless on the ocean’s surface and its floor.

Fortunately, all agencies involvedin this massive cleanup acted quickly. Let’s hope government doesn’t move as slow as the spilled liquid to enact laws preventing future disturbances.

Richard Ornellas
Liliha

Dead fish get more love than Waianae

Undetected "sludge" from Hawaii Kai Marina dumped on agricultural land in Waianae by SER Trucking, Inc.

Next, undetected molasses leaked into Honolulu Harbor from a Matson ship sailing to California.

Disparities? Hawaii Kai Marina Community Association — privileged; the Waianae community — underprivileged.

The government is grappling with finding solutions in the harbor spill, but the Waianae community has become impatient in addressing its environmental injustice to government officials.

The fish are getting the attention and sympathy, while some may think the Waianae community has run out of oxygen and will be joining the fishes.

Next? A special meeting on Sept. 18 at the Waianae District Park, 7-9:30 p.m.

Topic: Permits issued by the federal and state to the Hawaii Kai association.

Johnnie-Mae L. Perry
Chairwoman, Waianae Coast Neighborhood Board

Obama must not allow shutdown

President Barack Obama should have used his constitutional power to stop Bashar Assad from further use of chemical warfare. Instead, he bowed down to the dysfunctional, gutless Congress whose members’ only interest is for self-preservation — to remain in Congress.

The members of Congress would vote according tothe wishes of their constituents, who are tired of wars. Obama indicated that there be no boots on the ground. How could one see the suffering of the victims and not react?

This leads to the upcoming crisis of Republicans shutting down the government because they oppose Obamacare. Obama needs to lead and not give in. Obamacare is the law.

If the Republicansare able to shut down the government, this would be disastrous financially. The pension funds of companies as well as the government would suffer, and would affect so many of our lives.

Roland Ho
Waipahu

HCDA must balance jobs and housing

One Waterfront Tower’s case contesting the Hawaii Community Development Authority’s approval of "The Collection" on the old CompUSA site affects us all.

The Collection will be 97 percent residential, 3 percent commercial — on land zoned for largely commercial uses.

Commercial zoning helps regulate the density of Kakaako’s population. By providing employment opportunities for residents, commercial zoning alleviates traffic congestion by creating a "jobs-housing balance" of working residents having jobs within easy walking distance ("Neighbors contest HCDA on high-rise," Star- Advertiser, Sept. 10). But will 80 percent of Kakaako’s condos be high-priced/luxury, since only 20 percent of their units must be "affordable?"

Kakaako’s promise was to give residents in town affordable options. Enforcing the predominance of commercial uses is a remedy for traffic congestion and enables more residents to avoid frustrating commutes.

More than 20 percent "affordables" makes infinitely more sense than encouraging out-of-state buyers of high-priced/ luxury condos.

Renee Ing
Makiki

Kaiser Cougars ran up the score

What a shameful display of sportsmanship by the Kaiser Cougars and their head coach, Rich Miano, in the televised football game against Nanakuli.

Despite being up 48-14 at halftime, Kaiser continued to run up the score. Even with only three minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Cougars’ offense refused to run the ball and run out the clock, opting to throw the ball deep. The final score was 70-20.

Commentators coveringthe game spoke out several times, even before halftime, regarding Kaiser’s offensive play calling.

Hats off to the Nanakuli team, coaches who, despite the drubbing, kept their cool and played their hearts out without showing frustration or succumbing to unsportsmanlike penalties.

I just hope that when Kaiser finds itself on the losing side of a blowout they can still represent their school and themselves as well as Nanakuli’s football team did.

Go Westside!

Keith C. Vierra
Waianae