Gov. David Ige should be applauded for standing up to opponents of aquariums and siding with science in his intention to veto Senate Bill 1240.

The public has too long been misled by those who are philosophically opposed to aquariums. Falsehoods told over and over do not become facts.

Twelve coral reef biologists from the University of Hawaii, the Bishop Museum, Humboldt State University and Roger Williams University have written to legislators, citing evidence from 15 research papers that tested many of the claims made against aquarium fish collecting.

They noted that populations of the most commonly collected species are stable or increasing. Additionally, researchers were unable to detect any significant “environmental degradation” commonly cited by opponents.

The public should be wary of unsubstantiated claims and inflammatory rhetoric such as “trafficking” (“Wildlife trafficking violates social norms,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, July 6).

The Hawaii Fishermen’s Alliance for Conservation and Tradition (HFACT) believes that SB 1240 is technically flawed and focuses too narrowly on the best managed of Hawaii’s fisheries, while failing to include more critical environmental concerns. It should be vetoed.

Phil Fernandez

Holualoa, Hawaii island

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‘Wildlife trafficking’ of fish is fake news

It is disconcerting to see a letter in this paper equating legitimate, licensed fish collecting with “wildlife trafficking,” which is highly illegal and usually involves endangered species (“Wildlife trafficking violates social norms,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, July 6).

This the equivalent of “fake news.” Is the writer suggesting that the state of Hawaii condones illegal wildlife trafficking? Those comments are unfounded, untruthful and outrageous.

Judith Perino

Kailua-Kona

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Too bad fate of young bird killers unknown

Friday’s coverage of the sentencing of confessed albatross butcher, Christian Gutierrez, contained an apparent unexplained contradiction (“Teen gets 45 days in jail for killing albatrosses,” Star-Advertiser, June 7).

The story reports Gutierrez reached a plea deal with prosecutors in exchange for testimony against his juvenile accomplices. Yet Gutierrez’s attorney, Myles Breiner, said prosecutors have not asked his client to testify against anyone. Why not?

Predictably, Breiner is “disappointed” that Gutierrez is being punished for his depraved behavior. I’m disappointed that the rigidity of our legal system denies us the identity and disposition of Gutierrez’s fellow killers. But for the sake of an inconvenient birthday, we would know who else among us is capable of the heinous acts of calculated savagery that shocked and outraged our community. We would know if the justice system is willing to uphold those standards of decency that define civilized society.

As it is, we are left with an uncertain hope that the apparent failure of moral instruction by family and school is remedied by an uncompromising accountability.

Doug Lamerson

Kailua

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Close loopholes to make ‘floatillas’ safe

It is a fact that drinking and driving is dangerous. However, drinking and having a good time in the ocean under the hot sun has proven to be dangerous as well. Such is the case with the Fourth of July celebration (“Officials seek ‘floatilla’ crackdown,” Star-Advertiser, July 6).

State Rep. Kaniela Ing is on the right track in seeking to close legal loopholes in order for city and state officials to enforce ocean activities.

The amendment(s) must be specific to cover all areas from banning alcohol to what types of watercraft are allowed.

The Coast Guard and other ocean safety agencies are to assist people. They should not be responsible for abandoned inflatables or other watercraft.

The incidents at this past Fourth of July floatilla is a red flag. If this floatilla celebration is to continue, then legislation needs to be strict for everyone’s safety.

Alexis M. Liftee

Nuuanu

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Marshallese adoption can offer better life

An article about Marshallese adoptions reported that adoptive families do not realize “some of the long-term ramification to the babies” and that parents are so desperate to have a child that they are “blind to everything else” (“Marshallese adoptions raise some suspicions,” Star-Advertiser, July 5).

As an adoptive father of a Marshallese child, I find it concerning when parents are generalized and painted as a caricature by critics and labeled desperate. Ours was a thoughtful decision to give a child already on this planet opportunity.

In our case, the “long-term ramification” means that we will honor our son’s birth mother’s wish to give him a better life off the streets and with an education. She expressed this to us personally when we met with her and a cultural adviser from the Marshall Islands. And she clearly understood that she was giving up her child for permanent placement as an open adoption with a family she chose.

Keoni Vaughn

Makiki