A persistent myth suggests that a “larger sanctuary will cause problems” (Star-Advertiser, Letters, Aug. 16), when the opposite is the case.

Expanding Papahanau- mokuakea Marine National Monument will have no impact on the longline industry, which captures 95 percent of its tuna quota outside the proposed boundaries.

The expansion will not affect anyone who works in Hawaii’s fish industry. Reams of scientific literature suggest that a larger protected area will result in more fish spilling over the boundaries, improving fishing nearby.

Shane Yoshimoto’s attack on chef Sam Choy was unwarranted and 180 degrees off. Choy grew up in Hawaii’s fish industry and has given back to it immeasurably.

Choy’s opinions were based on Hawaiian cultural values learned from his grandparents, evolving through management of numerous seafood restaurants here and abroad, and from friendships with ocean experts around the world. Others in the industry should consider Choy’s expertise and re-evaluate their positions.

Rick Gaffney

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii island

Tax surcharge will never end

Anyone who has lived in Hawaii for even a few years, and seen how the politicians work their magic, knows that once a tax is passed, it never goes away.

The reason most cited by politicians is that taxpayers have become used to paying it; and since the state and city have so many needs for it, why return the money?

So the 0.5 percent general excise tax surcharge to pay for rail will go on to pay for rail extension and rail operation and maintenance. Families on Oahu can expect to continue to pay, whether they ride rail or not.

Diane Yri

Kapolei

Clinton has right to avoid media

Will Bunch’s commentary on Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump and the First Amendment compares apples and oranges (“Foiling a free press,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 17).

Clinton’s avoidance of the press is arguably an unwise campaign strategy, but poses no threat to the First Amendment.

I know the First Amendment and its case law pretty well, especially the “abridgement” clause that guarantees freedom of the press, and I can find nothing in the amendment or the case law requiring politicians to talk to the press. Freedom to speak implies also the freedom not to speak.

Trump, however, has threatened to use the courts to take the nation back to the late 1790s and the Sedition Act, when any criticism of government was criminally prosecutable as “seditious libel.” In Trump’s mind, New York Times v. Sullivan is just a nasty rumor.

James R. Cowles

Seattle, Wash.

Give young man another chance

I support Kennedy Tulimasealii’s return to the football team, and retention of his scholarship (“Judge grants UH football star’s deferral request,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 12).

I don’t know the parties involved. I don’t care much for sports. But surely he deserves one chance to prove Judge Christine Kuriyama right and make a success of his life.

If we don’t give him that chance, odds are that in 10 years, he will be a bum living in the streets or incarcerated, costing every taxpayer money.

If we do give him that chance, he might come to the same end, but maybe he will be a productive citizen who used his time at the University of Hawaii to teach his teammates that women are partners, not punching bags.

He could use his aggressive tendencies to give UH a winning season.

Mary Macmillan

Mililani

Shallow utilities ran interference

As part of Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s islandwide repaving program, we’re happy Jon von Kessel noticed the full-depth reconstruction of Liliha Street (“4 inches of asphalt is best for repaving,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 15).

He also highlighted newly repaved Beretania Street, which was completed in April through a less robust process known as “mill and fill.”

The reason Beretania did not receive full-depth reconstruction like Liliha is because of the extraordinary amount of utilities found just below the surface. The “mill and fill” repaving of Beretania provides immediate relief to drivers at a lower cost and will last about five years, enough time for utilities to relocate their lines so that full-depth reconstruction can take place.

Mr. von Kessel will be happy to know that once this effort is pau, Beretania Street should remain smooth for an additional 15 years.

Jesse Broder Van Dyke

City communications director