Recently, the state Board of Land and Natural Resources voted 5 to 2 in favor of granting the construction permit for the controversial Thirty Meter Telescope atop Mauna Kea (“Telescope foes vow fight in court, on the mountain,” Star-Advertiser, Sept. 29).

Is it possible to get the mana‘o of board member Stanley Roehrig for his “no” vote on permission to construct? Mr. Roehrig is involved intimately in academic, cultural, philanthropic and social aspects of contemporary Hawaii. I know I am not alone in seeking personal, internal peace in this important decision concerning Hawaii’s future.

I, with others, have wrestled with the report on the DLNR website, but find myself short of satisfaction and clear understanding. Hopefully Mr. Roehrig will simplify and clarify his reasoning. The history of U.S. Supreme Court decisions have numerous instances in which the dissenting opinions turn out to have been the wiser.

Tomas Belsky

Hilo

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Outsider chief would buoy HPD’s mission

First, eliminate any candidate with any connection to the Honolulu Police Department (“Police Commission selects 7 finalists for chief,” Star-Advertiser, Sept. 29).

According to recent reports, there seems to be some culture of corruption within the department. We surely don’t want anyone who may be tainted by that. Let’s eliminate any potential chance.

We are fortunate to have two mainland candidates. Let’s choose one. Let him straighten out any internal mess, and let him get the department back to its reason for being — enforcing the law.

On the first day, enforce the traffic laws. Right now there’s a vacuum. Nobody stops at a stop sign. Too many run red lights. Only half use their turn signals. Drivers block the intersections. Too many vehicles make too much noise.

Our troops need guidance — not someone like our last chief, who is now under federal investigation. We have a good police crew. Now it needs independent leadership. For all of us. For sure.

Gerhard C. Hamm

Nuuanu

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Too late for public input on HPD chief

So much for “John and Jane Q. Public.”

I am not related to any of the candidates for Honolulu chief of police, but I wanted to give my 2-cents’ worth from my heart through my voice.

Wednesday, I went to the public testimony meeting of the Honolulu Police Commission’s selection process.

Luckily, I had hand-delivered my written statement at lunchtime.

I was coming from work and missed the last call for public testimony. I got there before 3 p.m.

When I arrived at the conference room, I was asked if I submitted a written statement, and I answered, “Yes.”

Then I was told that the public testimony portion was completed and they had begun their internal closed-door discussions.

I am sorry I couldn’t take time off from work to make it on time. I couldn’t afford it.

Chris M. Sablan

Makiki

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Bad call left Kakaako park woes to fester

Why did state officials wait so long before doing something about the homeless situation at Kakaako Waterfront Park before it reached a $500,000 estimate on all the repairs from vandalism caused by the homeless living in the park?

This same situation — tapping into the electric poles, water, trash and more — caused about $7,000 in repairs a few years ago. Why didn’t the state stop the homeless from living in the park back then, and not wait until there were an estimated 120 campsites now up in the park (“Parks to be off-limits,” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 5)?

Even paying sheriff’s deputies to work overnight would be cheaper. Now the repairs are costing us taxpayers so much more money, when all this could have been avoided.

Let’s put an end to homeless encampments in parks for good, including Old Stadium Park.

Mark McGuire

Makiki

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Kaiser kids affirmed football decision

Mahalo for the pro and con commentaries from Kaiser High School students regarding cancellation of Kaiser’s football season (“Should Kaiser have canceled football?” Star-Advertiser, Raise Your Hand, Oct. 1). They offered background not previously available to those of us outside the Kaiser community.

After reading both sides, I applaud the decision to cancel. While tough for Kaiser’s community for now, in the big picture of life, it will be unimportant except for providing all sides with a valuable lesson as students prepare for life after high school.

The letter opposing cancellation had contradictory points. On the one hand, players learned resilience, desire and doing one’s best from football. But players and their parents failed to demonstrate these same qualities when confronted with a new coach’s program, structure, conditioning and tryouts.

Parents and players challenging authority with anger is deplorable, setting a poor example to youth. For the disappointed parents and players, there are dozens of opportunities available. Accept, learn and move forward.

Jim McDiarmid

Mililani