As a retired science teacher, I now volunteer several mornings each week at the Waikiki Aquarium.

I have begun to notice an activity that is harmful to our already stressed coral reefs and near-shore waters: fish feeding.

From both the rock jetty near the Queen’s Surf cafe and the sea wall near the aquarium, there are locals and tourists tossing bread and pieces of hot dog buns to waiting reef fish. Schools of varied species are now conditioned at both locations to expect daily handouts of human food.

This practice is harmful on several levels. First, ingredients in this food degrade water quality. Second, the health and behavior of the fish are negatively affected, and third, when these fish are full, they no longer graze on algae, which impacts coral health.

I wish we would follow the lead of Maui County, where beach parks and entry points for snorkelers have signs reminding visitors about reef etiquette, including a reminder to not feed the fish. We all need to treat our precious ocean resources with respect.

Dave White
Manoa

Homeless vets should be federal concern

Regarding Hawaii’s homeless, I have read that perhaps one-third or more of the homeless of Hawaii are military veterans with mental health problems and/or substance abuse problems.

Whatever the percentage actually is, the federal government should have the responsibility for taking care of these former military personnel.

We should contact our congressional representatives and ask them to start a campaign to accomplish this, as this burden should not fall on the states and cities to perform.

Otherwise, or in addition, we could begin a citizens’ petition to shame our federal government into doing what it should be doing in any case for our brave men and women who have already suffered so much for our country.

The burden of caring for the homeless should be with those responsible for their being homeless. This would make it easier and more economical for the states and cities to properly care for the remaining homeless.

Bill Russell
Mililani

Lack of public outrage was really surprising

There are only two things that really surprised me about the report that state workers are watching Netflix and Hulu on the job (“Video viewing hogs bandwidth,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 13).

>> The spokesman for the state IT office is so clueless that he says employees may be just using it as “background noise.”

“Hey, you want to watch ‘Terminator’ so we can’t hear the phone ring?”

>> The lack of complaints from the public; so far I have seen just one letter to the editor and Lee Cataluna’s column (“Video-streaming ban might free state workers to do jobs,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 14).

Does that mean this is what we expect from our state workers, so there is no reason to get upset?

Bruce Fink
Makiki

It’s the lawsuit that’s divisive for Hawaiians

I find the quote, “The time has come to stop dividing Hawaii’s people and start uniting them,” by one of the plaintiffs in a lawsuit against a Native Hawaiian election to be oxymoronic and hypocritical (“Lawsuit challenges Native Hawaiian election,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 14).

Instead of unifying Hawaiian nationals, the complaint generates further divisiveness, confusion and frustration.

The 1993 Apology Bill and the Native Hawaiian Roll lack inclusivity, since they exclude the descendants of naturalized and natural- born Hawaiian nationals but include the descendants of Hawaiian nationals who were ethnic Hawaiians.

Defining Hawaiians by ethnicity extinguishes nationality and sovereignty, and places Hawaiians under the United States, where race and political qualifications to determine eligibility violate the U.S. Constitution.

Despite the delay tactics of provocateurs, I urge Na‘i Aupuni to continue the unification process, which involves no general funds.

Jimmy Wong
Heeia

U.S. has no reason to fear Iran’s military

No one has ever explained to me why Iran would commit mass suicide by attacking Israel with a nuclear weapon.

Iran has a very diverse, young, well-educated population that wants good relations with the United States. It was good to see former Israeli premier Ehud Barack announce his support for the deal.

I also cannot understand why a country with 7,200 nuclear weapons, 800 overseas bases and 11 carrier battle groups is afraid of a third-rate Iranian military that has a yearly defense budget of $12 billion. The United States spends that on defense and “security” in a week.

Many older Iranians remember what we did to them in 1953 when we helped overthrow a duly elected, moderate, democratic president. We put in the Shah.

Iran has not invaded another country in well over a century. We have invaded more than a dozen Muslim countries since 1980. So much for spreading democracy.

Jim Quimby
Kamehameha Heights

FROM THE FORUM

Readers of the Star-Advertiser’s online edition can respond to stories posted there. The following are some of those. Instead of names, pseudonyms are generally used online. They have been removed.

"Chronic kidney disease takes heavy toll in Hawaii" Star-Advertiser, Aug. 17:

>> Start eating healthy at home and stay away from junk food and soda. Maybe once a month instead of every day. "You are what you eat" is so true.

>> It is surprising how much of the commercially available food contains sugar. Read the labels — the ingredient list; often sugar is the second or third ingredient. Consider eliminating sugar from your diet. I am talking about processed sugar, not the natural sugars in fruit and vegetables. Remember to keep moving, walking, too. Run if you must, but keep moving.

>> What works for some doesn’t work for others. Moderation is the keyword in eating — and definitely don’t smoke. Exercise. There’s nothing wrong with eating out at fast-food joints once in a while. Enjoy life.

——

"Bird proposal centers on noise" Star-Advertiser, Aug. 17:

>> Good idea. One of the biggest stresses in modern life is noise pollution. It is a health hazard.

>> Noise can be a problem — and there should be a means to address it — but Councilwoman Carol Fukunaga’s proposal is much too broad and gives a disgruntled neighbor too much power.

——

"The population of the homeless camp in Kakaako has few housing options" Star-Advertiser, Aug. 18 :

>> No space? Oh well. We need a new, and comprehensive panel to recommend a study group to form a working committee to our appointed staff and homeless experts to give us their recommendations to appoint a homeless czar with full staffing to look into this problem. 

>> I think they are listening to you.

——

"Stream-monitoring equipment stolen on Valley Isle" Star-Advertiser, Aug. 18:

>> Next thing, tsunami sirens and fire alarms.

>> I think I would’ve pitched this as "Popular visitor attraction closed due to theft of stream-monitoring equipment."

——

"Special crew clears homeless camps as it enforces 2 city bans" Star-Advertiser, Aug. 19:

>> Many thanks to these guys who do the tough job of keeping our streets from turning into slums. Hopefully the homeless will find a place in a shelter or make a life for themselves in a more welcoming, appropriate venue.

>> Time to start building tiny homes for the homeless. There is no other solution.

——

"Laniakea barriers must come down after talks fail" Star-Advertiser, Aug . 19:

>> The road has to move inland eventually. Coastal erosion is just a fact of life. Move the road inland and make a parking lot on the ocean side so no one has to cross any street. Charge 50 cents an hour parking, if we must. This is so obvious that it is frightening that the city and state are taking years to do it.

>> Beach access was never blocked. Anybody could access the beach. The area that was blocked was where people parked. State law says beach access can’t be blocked; there’s nothing saying parking has to be provided for access to that beach. The judge made the wrong call on this one.

>> I hope the plaintiffs are willing to pay the damages for the people who will be run over and sue the state/city later.

——

"BOE wants time limits in inquiries of alleged misconduct" Star-Advertiser, Aug. 20:

>> The problem with deadlines is that if one goes past it, the offending party probably will be let off. That shouldn’t happen.

>> There are many Department of Education  workers who use the grievance procedure to attack co-workers and subordinates. When allegations are proven false, the accuser should go on leave without pay as punishment.

——

"Law targets Kapalama Canal camps" Star-Advertiser, Aug. 20:

>> If it is illegal to camp beside city streams, why erect a fence? Post signs instead. Then the much-needed parking for Honolulu Community College students will still be available. 

>> Chain link fence? What a waste of money. The fence will be compromised within a week.