Expand who can prescribe meds

As an advanced-practice registered nurse (nurse practitioner), I support my psychologist colleagues being authorized to prescribe medication as outlined in House Bill 1072, HD 1.

I was dismayed to read this quote attributed to state Sen. Josh Green: "Any significant change in prescription patterns requires some collaboration between the primary prescribers, meaning physicians and psychologists." ("Expand power to prescribe medication, advocates urge," Star-Advertiser, April 1)

I am a primary-care provider, as are many of the other807 APRNs licensed in the state of Hawaii.I do collaborate with my psychologist colleagues and I completely understand the reason why Rx authority is needed.

I am disappointed that our legislators are blocking access to complete treatment of mental health disorders by psychologists who can be trained and are certainly capable of providing both pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy.

There is more than adequate collaboration written into the bill.

Yvonne Geesey
Makiki

Using God card is inappropriate

I have been a reader of the Star-Advertiser and its previous incarnations for more than 50 years.

I do not recall having ever seen a letter to the editor that defends its position by stating that their leaders are "able to communicate directly with God" ("Spiritual powers superior to science," Star-Advertiser, April 14).

The amount of evil and mayhem in the world today and throughout history caused by people who make thissame claim should preclude the use of this argument when defending any issue or cause.

Tom Welch
Hawaii Kai

Moiliili resident was a kamikaze

Capt. William M. Callaghan decided to give a dignified burial to a Japanese pilot who had crashed a Zero into the USS Missouri ("Letters from the ‘Tokko-tai,’" Star-Advertiser, April 9). That decision took moral courage.

Do we have the moral courage to give a dignified metaphorical burial to sons and daughters of Hawaii who gave their lives in World War II while — by choice or circumstance — wearing the uniforms of their ancestral land?

Clifton Takamura was among those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Clifton grew up in Moiliili, distinguished himself at McKinley High School and the University of Hawaii, and traveled to Japan for further studies. Drafted into the Army, he volunteered for "special attack" (kamikaze) operations and was assigned to a unit at Chiran, Kagoshima Prefecture. On June 3, 1945, Clifton took off for Okinawa in a Type 97 fighter. He never returned.

John J. Stephan
Professor emeritus of history, University of Hawaii at Manoa

Don’t stick with current rail plan

I disagree with the contention that "Honolulu (is) locked in to current rail plan" (Star-Advertiser, Letters, April 13).

Proponents of the rail will say anything to keep it on track, including mocking opponents and saying we will have to return $1.5 billion to the federal government. Not true. We have received only about three-quarters of the $1.5 billion as of yet.

Currently, the rail shortfall is reputed to be $910 million. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation coffers are not empty, and the surcharge will run at least another seven years.

If the project was altered, ended at Aala Park and changed to mag-lev, the shortened route and less-expensive technology would provide a futuristic tourist attraction, avoid the blight and massive disruption to the city, save Chinatown and spare our grandchildren from a "forever" surcharge.

Ted Kanemori
Kaneohe

Use rail savings for desalination

I am a critic of the city’s rail transit program, not because it is not necessary, but because of the excessive design, bloated costs, absence of management and the vendors being given free rein.

Sacramento Light Rail is extending its two-track lines 4.2 miles, which includesfour stations and 2,700 parking spaces, for a projectedcost of $270 million — as opposed to the projected$6 billion for Honolulu’s 20-mile rail line.

Does anyone in power, responsibility, or just out of a sense of fair play, have any interest in protecting Oahu residents from the obvious enrichmentthat has infected this project?

The Legislature can recommend a transition tolight rail. Maybe the savings could be appliedto the construction of desalination plants,given the droughts on Hawaii island and in California and the Southwest.

Thomas Black
Kaimuki