I had to read the article about Sheryl Luke-Kalani’s tax evasion sentence several times, as it made so little sense (“Deal lets woman linked to puppy mill avoid tax-evasion conviction,” Star-Advertiser, June 22).

She ran a pet store for several years that sold dogs from her father’s notorious puppy mill and paid no state general excise taxes for six years on rental income.

It appears that state Circuit Judge Edwin Nacino bent over backward to help Luke-Kalani avoid any real punishment. He admitted he was bothered that her statement didn’t explain her decision to not pay the taxes.

How can a judge actually state, “I can see one year being a mistake, even two or three years.”

What? Why is this man on the bench? Why is he treating this person as if she was a decent, law-abiding citizen? How is this fair to the majority of residents who do pay their taxes?

Laura Myers

Kaneohe

—

Gabbard helped promote hemp

I read the industrial hemp article by Vicki Viotti, which focused on the status of the hemp pilot program and the advocacy of state Rep. Cynthia Thielen (“Cashing in on hemp,” Star-Advertiser, June 25).

I’m appreciative of the leadership that Theilen has exhibited for many years and value her involvement and commitment. I was surprised, though, that the article didn’t mention state Sen. Mike Gabbard, chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Environment Committee, who also is a leader in this movement.

Gabbard authored and championed the legislation that launched the two-year University of Hawaii hemp study in Waimanalo and two other bills that established the hemp pilot program that was highlighted.

Of the 50 bills and resolutions introduced in the Legislature since 1999, Gabbard’s were the first hemp-related bills that passed into law.

I’m a supporter of this incredible crop, which has the potential to grow our economy and improve our environment. As a family farmer, I see hemp as being a Hawaii ecological money producer.

Vincent Mina

Co-owner, Kahanu Aina Greens

Wailuku

—

Hawaii should fight voter-fraud demand

President Donald Trump’s phony “voter fraud” commission, called the Election Integrity Commission, has made a breathtakingly cynical demand for our voter records.

The commission wants our voting history, party affiliation, age and even the last four digits of our Social Security numbers.

Why do I hear nothing from Hawaii, when so many other states are weighing in immediately with their refusals?

Kathleen McIntyre

Hawaii Kai