Aquarium fishery subject to regulation

As growing numbers distrust even good journalism, it is distressing to see our trusted Star-Advertiser print a false headline — and on the front page: “Aquarium fishery goes unrestricted” (July 12).

Aquarium fishing is, and has long been, subject to restrictions designed to assure its sustainable management.

The headline could have been intended to say, “Ige vetoes legislation further restricting aquarium fishing but that fails in its attempt to manage the fishery and ignores well-founded science.” If that’s too long for a front-page headline, it could say, “Ige vetoes bad fish bill.”

As one of many scientists and fishers who oppose this bill, I share the viewpoint that Hawaii’s fisheries, onshore and offshore, need careful management.

We all need to work together to assure effective, and ecologically and culturally sound, management rules and practices for all fishing methods. The vetoed bill did not serve this goal.

Leighton Taylor

Former director, Waikiki Aquarium

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Leaders must speak out against Trump

As America sinks deeper into the abyss under the so-called leadership of our current president, I feel compelled to paraphrase Edward R. Murrow’s comments after he exposed the lies of U.S. Sen. Joseph McCarthy in an incredibly powerful episode of “See It Now.”

This is no time for men who oppose President Donald Trump’s methods to keep silent. We can deny our heritage and our history, but we cannot escape responsibility for the result. The actions of this president have caused alarm and dismay amongst our allies abroad, and given considerable comfort to our enemies. And whose fault is that? Not really his. He didn’t create this situation of fear and hatred; he merely exploited it — and rather successfully.

Cassius was right: “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.”

Andrew Thomas

Moiliili

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People need to get out of their cars

Efforts to make it easier to not use cars — rail, bikeshare, Complete Streets — are criticized as costly, hurting business, ugly, useless. Many forget these same arguments were made decades ago when TheBus was revamped. Today, Honolulu has one of the most successful bus systems in the U.S., with outrage when bus routes get taken away.

Traffic is getting worse, with Honolulu consistently one of the worst cities for traffic congestion. People are literally dying from the number of cars on the road. Honolulu has one of the highest pedestrian fatality rates in the U.S.

More people are dying from obesity-related diseases. Studies have shown more time spent in cars increases the probability of weight gain. Humanity faces possible extinction someday through climate change, with deaths occurring now indirectly as a result of carbon dioxide emissions from cars.

Efforts to make it easier to not use cars may be controversial in the short run, but farsighted when you look at the big picture.

Anthony Chang

Chinatown

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HART comments don’t make sense

Mahalo for pointing out that Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board members may be on the verge of canceling a forensic audit to determine why estimated costs increased so quickly and dramatically (“Rail leaders criticized for delaying audit into rising costs,” Star-Advertiser, July 16).

I attended the board meeting at which Ember Shinn explained that she did not want to “muck around in the past” or re-examine what might have been “screwy, stupid decisions.” I recall thinking these were the dumbest things I had ever heard said by someone whose job is to provide oversight.

Almost immediately, however, another HART board member said something even dumber. Among Wes Frysztacki’s stated reasons for not doing a forensic audit was, “Maybe we’ve already fixed the things that would be uncovered.”

Randall Roth

Waialae-Kahala

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Wrong to withhold health information

Regarding “Religious group sues over law on pregnancy information” (Star-Advertiser, July 13): Really? An attorney considers honoring the right to information about one’s medical care options to be unconstitutional advertising? How can that be?

Our Constitution clearly states that the government may not enact laws or policies based on the tenets of a particular religion. I would assume that inherently includes counseling and health care facilities receiving government funds or enjoying tax-exempt status.

A church is free to share its own beliefs. But I consider withholding information about options regarding pregnancy medically unethical, unconstitutional — and irrational.

If we allow a church-based facility to withhold information about contraception and abortion as viable options, then a non-sectarian agency (or one from another religion) can start withholding information about viable options other than contraception and abortion.

I’d say that’s really throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

Jean Gochros

Kahala

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SB 501 sounds like it is pro-abortion

Senate Bill 501, passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. David Ige, is forcing faith-based pregnancy centers to post a sign giving clients and patients information as to where abortions are provided.

State lawmakers say they want to ensure that everyone receives comprehensive, accurate and unbiased information to make a fully informed decision about their health.

If this is the real reason, why are abortion centers not required to post a similar sign giving the names and phone numbers of faith-based pregnancy centers, so that clients and patients can make an informed decision about their health? This bill seems to be more pro-abortion than anything else.

Harold H. Nakagawa

Mililani