No basis to deny climate change

It is amazing that a recent writer to the newspaper thinks that scientists are lying to us about climate change and are knowingly doing this so that politicians can grab onto these lies to control us ("Humans not cause of ‘receding ice age,’" Star-Advertiser, Letters, July 3).

So, let me think this through. The entire body of published climate-change articles from various universities and government agencies in dozens of countries, independent researchers, business groups, well-known authors and others — they are all just a pack of liars. Ummmm.

Right-wing television and radio commentators simply say the climate is always changing. Actually, the weather is always changing, but the climate can be tracked over the long term and it does not look good.

So, should we just do nothing? No, let us think about mitigation efforts as we prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Our efforts just might work out.

Jim Quimby
Kalihi

Russia-Ukraine ties like U.S.-Hawaii

Can somebody out there tell me the difference between Russia trying to take over and steal Ukraine and the United States imprisoning a queen in her own land and stealing Hawaii? Why is it not OK for Russia to do it but it was OK for us to do it?

To me it seems pretty hypocritical of the United States to be so bothered about a practice of which it is guilty.

Angela DeVargas
Haleiwa

Hawaiians should respect DOI officials

Concerning the scheduled meetings being conducted by the U.S. Department of the Interior officials, it’s a shame that they have to put up with abusive testifiers. They are just trying to do their jobs, as they are not decision-making. They are obtaining information to take back to Washington, D.C., to help other executives make decisions.

Native Hawaiians who hope to disrupt the meetings by being rude are sending the wrong message. The best way to get our point across, whatever that point is, is to do so with aloha. These DOI officials are merely the messengers but the message they take back will be very important. So calm down and be heard.

Marge Akana
Ewa Beach

Keep City Hall at Honolulu Hale

Auwe! I have lived too long!

City Hall belongs at Honolulu Hale — if people need more room, put them under those nice white pop-ups.

Perhaps after moving City Hall to spacious Kapolei near the first rail stop, they can move Kawaiahao Church to Waimanalo.

Scott S. Clarke
Kapahulu

Online name-calling demeans governor

Since I am now a Maui resident, I subscribe to the Star-Advertiser online. Following a story in the paper about the first televised gubernatorial debate, I came across a comment in which the elected governor of our state, and a valued friend of mine for 40 years, was referred to as a "little fat toad."

Enough! This is not free speech. This is nothing more than the vicious ranting of a mean-spirited individual. Clearly, it’s time for the Star-Advertiser to exercise some common-sense control over the comments that appear under your banner.

Jim Loomis
Haiku, Maui

Sins of BNP Paribas flow to Hawaii bank

First Hawaiian Bank’s spokesman, Chris Dods, claims local customers have no responsibility for the sins of its owner, BNP Paribas, which is being fined $8.97 billion by the U.S. Justice Department ("First Hawaiian’s parent to pay $9B for flouting trade sanctions," Star-Advertiser, July 1). But everyone knows that a subsidiary’s profits flow directly to its parent.

That means First Hawaiian Bank and its Hawaii customers bear some responsibility for Sudan’s genocide in Darfur, where hundreds of thousands of people have been murdered by the government BNP financed.

Myrna B. Murdoch
Makiki

Punish those who faked VA records

Now that the Department of Veterans Affairs has been outed, as a VA user I can say that just dealing with the VA can cause PTSD — "Post Traumatic Stress Dementia."

I have never had a problem getting appointments in a reasonable time. But there have been a lot of mistakes, some dangerous.

The people who got bonuses based on falsified performance records should be forced to give the money back and face criminal charges of theft. Prison punishment, not just early retirement or resignation. That money was stolen from the vets.

There should be punishment for retaliation against whistleblowers. But I have noticed for a long time that government people protect government criminals.

Fred Metcalf
Kalihi

DLNR should fight coastal erosion

It would be far better for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources to spend its time, money and resources creating and maintaining a positive beach preservation program for the state of Hawaii than poking its nose into the Kawainui Marsh controversy.

Hawaii needs a clear, effective and well-publicized plan to hold the line against beach erosion and other unwelcome shoreline changes. Currently one does not exist.

Norm Scott
Kailua