State Rep. Marcus Oshiro was spot on ("For-profit marijuana will be dangerous," Star-Advertiser, June 14).

With increased acceptance and availability, expect increased DUIs, psychological problems and addiction. Knowing this, proponents of legalization equivocate and insult us with their words "medical" or "beneficial" to advance their goal of outright legalized recreational use.

The most deceptive is the taxation clause: Allowing marijuana to be sold more widely and thus making it easier to tax is the epitome of government complicity.

Since the gross domestic product of Hawaii could not hope to change with legalization, people’s discretionary income will just flow from one expense to another.

Here is another unforeseen sad consequence: Employers can discriminate against cannabis users, deny them employment or terminate them with cause.

Bill Funk
Mililani

Trade pact lacks transparency

It is appalling that legislation written by corporate lobbyists could be introduced, much less voted on ("Obama loses trade vote in House," Star-Advertiser, June 13).

Congress must not vote on the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, as it is held in secret.

Enough material has been leaked for us to know the agreement would be a disaster. For example, corporations would have the right to sue governments whose laws disallow their products and/or services.

Louise Simrell
Sunset Beach

Develop teams for traffic jams

Every time there is a traffic accident or some event blocking traffic on the freeway, there never seems to be any coordinated action by emergency responders to redirect the resulting traffic-merging gridlock.

It would be wise to create a rapid traffic-response team coordinated by police and freeway safety patrol personnel that would temporarily stop traffic completely for several minutes in all lanes 1⁄4-mile before the blockage and provide an elevated electronic arrow sign indicating merging traffic, while another small crew quickly sets up temporary traffic cones to allow traffic to merge gradually, instead of the usual frustrating uncontrolled merging madness from five to one or two lanes 50 feet before an accident.

Anything the state can do to provide some help in these constantly recurring situations surely would help traffic move a little faster. Why not try it and see if it makes any difference? Hawaii drivers deserve this courtesy. Our high gas taxes should pay for it.

Bill Romerhaus
Haleiwa

Keep Monsanto running scared

Monsanto in Hawaii is running scared ("Monsanto moves to remold image," Star-Advertiser, June 12).

It’s indamage-control mode here and elsewhere in the world. With total assets of $22 billion, it can afford an attempt to remold its image. Is the issue really GMO? No. It’s pesticides and herbicides, Monsanto’s bread and butter.

Remember Heptachlor? We were told that the insecticide was safe, if used properly. It wasn’t.

Heptachlor has a long life span, like Monsanto’s highly soluble glyphosate (Roundup).

GMO crops were created to be resistant to Roundup. There lies the problem: possible overspraying, soil and water table contamination, residue in the air and in our food.

At what expense to people’s health does the claim of job creation and favorable economics prevail?

Please read up on Monsanto and draw your own conclusions.

Jon Norris
Kapahulu

Laniakea has ties to ancients

The traffic barriers at Laniakea are coming down.

But let’s not be reckless in forcing a realignment of Kamehameha Highway that will adversely affect the significant archaeological and cultural features mauka of the highway.

These features include three documented heiau within the area of potential effect, along with numerous platforms, terraces, walls, burials, enclosures and modified outcrops.

Our ancestors created this cultural landscape as a physical expression of their ceremonial practice, settlement patterns and long-distance voyaging and navigational knowledge.

Circuit Judge Gary Chang upheld public access to our beaches under Hawaii law, but let us not forget that kanaka maoli cultural resources and customary practices are also rightfully protected under numerous federal and state laws.

Laniakea remains a tangible reminder that kanaka maoli knowledge, practice and values are an integral component of the North Shore community. We protect what we value.

Let’s navigate forward with courage and conviction to protect this rich legacy for current and future generations.

Malia Evans
Waialua

Rail could be tough on elderly

John Brizdle is right on, but accountability is not going to happen ("Don’t extend rail tax without more details," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, June 14).

Mufi Hannemann’s "train to nowhere" is going to happen. It’s a foregone conclusion. There is too much money to be made for too many people.

What worries me is the story about the lady who rides the 4 a.m. bus to Makaha so as to ensure a seat going the other way back into Honolulu.

My wife and I are in our 70s and we carry blue cards with a wheelchair on them. A bus driver will sometimes help the handicapped find a seat if you show them I.D., but who’s going to help us on the train? There’s going to be no monitor on board to help us.

If you really think the youth of today are going to give up a seat, I’ve got a bridge I’d like to sell to you.

Kedric Dean
Downtown Honolulu

Tighten laws on sale of ivory

The June 9 indictment of five people for selling illegal ivory products highlights the need for Hawaii to ban ivory sales ("Federal grand jury indicts 5 over whale bone, ivory sales," Star-Advertiser, June 11).

The peddling of illegal ivory through Hawaiian Accessories Inc. isn’t unique. Many Honolulu retailers will gladly make illicit transactions in this lucrative trade and coach customers on traveling with undocumented ivory.

Hampered by gaping legal loopholes and complex rules, federal agents exerted Herculean efforts here. Ivory from poached elephants is disguised.

Determining ivory origin is complex and has been described as requiring "a lawyer, a scientist, and an art historian."

Hawaii ranks third in the nation for its illicit ivory market. Major U.S. markets have strengthened and simplified their ivory laws, and Hawaii should, too.

Rene Umberger
Kihei, Maui