Supporting Army here is criminal

Where is the truth-telling regarding the military’s relationship with Hawaii?

U.S. Gen. John Schofield and Col. B.S. Alexander were spies, reporting in 1873 on Hawaii’s military usefulness to the U.S. This report supported the U.S. invasion of Hawaii in 1893.

The history of the U.S. military in Hawaii is one of deceit, occupation, land-grabbing and suppression of the freedoms and liberties of our independent Hawaiian nation, under the guise of bringing freedom and liberty to the rest of the world.

Their military sneak-attacked Hawaii, and has never moved to correct this injustice.

Settlers come to Hawaii under the U.S. umbrella, cooperate with its military and deny this historical injustice.

Instead, they insist that we are all immigrants, ignoring the integrity and rights of our Hawaiian nationals.

Supporting U.S. military presence is a crime, a participation in the crime of occupation and colonization of Hawaii.

Poka Laenui
Waianae

3-strikes law would help dampen crime

I agree with Betsy Connors 100 percent: We do not need new prisons ("We do not need a private prison," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Jan. 10).

What we need is to imprison those criminals who have three or more felony convictions against them. I have read about a criminal with 14 prior arrests being released by a judge. These criminals today continue to commit crimes knowing that all they will receive is a slap on the wrist and be released.

When they commit crimes, they do not deserve to be close to their families or have facilities better than our schools, including balanced meals.

Max N. Calica
Mililani

Hawaii should legalize casinos

The Democratic leadership in Hawaii should seriously consider approving the establishment of gambling casinos for the islands.

This would be a great source of state income and would reduce state and city taxes.

It also would be a welcome sight for the many tourists who come to Hawaii and from states where casinos have been approved and flourish.

I live in a state where casinos were approved several years ago, and they have become a boon for the state of Maryland.

The income from casinos has contributed to schools and infrastructure, and has cut down on taxes levied on Maryland citizens.

Casinos could be a win-win for Hawaii.

Al Eisner
Silver Spring, Md.

Mariota made many isle residents proud

A big mahalo to Marcus Mariota for elevating Hawaii to recognition in the first College Football Playoff championship game.

So much pride and honor was created simply by Mariota being himself, maintaining calm and class. He alsogave Hawaii its first Heisman Trophy.

Whatever his future holds, he will do well, and already has made proudhis state, schools, family, friends and complete strangers.

Joyce Cassen
Aina Haina

Furoshiki is option to using plastic bags

If the silly plastic bag ban is not repealed, here is a solution to the ban: furoshiki, the Japanese wrapping cloths.

Traditionally, these cloths are carried by both men and women when shopping. They are made of various materials and are sometimes given to customers by merchants. They can be imprinted with merchant logos similar to plastic bags.

Enterprising merchants and shoppers should make themselves familiar with these convenient carriers.

Otto Cleveland
Pearl City

Keep blue lights on to promote safety

The Honolulu Police Department recently introduced a program whereby all police vehicles keep their blue lights on all the time.

As a senior who walks around Makiki and Moiliili a lot, I can say the result has been effective in increasing safety. Speeding has been reduced and running yellow lights has almost stopped. I can think of no better way to increase driving and walking safety.

I know it is hard to quantify prevention programs, but it’s probable that a lot fewer tickets have been issued.

Jim Poorbaugh
Moiliili

Civil servants must be held accountable

Performance-oriented audits and holding appointed officials accountable for their own actions, as well as their subordinates’ actions and performance, goes without saying ("City, state must perform better," Star-Advertiser, Our View, Nov. 28).

However, something is lost in the translation when civil service employees’ contracts are being denigrated and those individuals who come from right-to-work states expect the public worker to become a docile "shmoo," in the Al Capp comic strip tradition.

If and when workers are responsible for wrongdoing of any nature, their co-workers should not be expected to shield them or keep silent when questioned under a subpoena, deposition or direct examination on the witness stand. Those who are doing the questioning should also be beyond reproach.

Arvid Tadao Youngquist
Kalihi Valley