Before we start jumping up in arms about the recent federal appeals court ruling regarding open carry, we need to understand why it was ruled unconstitutional (“Open carry,” Star-Advertiser, July 25).

Current Hawaii law allows for open carry after strict requirements are met. However, the law unfortunately allows the final decision to be at the sole discretion of the police chief. This flaw allows for bias and unfair discrimination, thus rendering the law unconstitutional.

Hawaii still has some of the strictest gun laws and restrictions in the nation, none of which will change. The process to obtain an open carry permit still will be very meticulous. The federal ruling just removes any room for personal bias and allows for a more transparent process.

Jodie Samer

Halawa

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Carrying a gun will make Hawaii safer

In regards to the article on gun control (“Open carry,” Star-Advertiser, July 25): There are a few things people should know and understand.

Open/concealed carry will make Hawaii safer. Shame on Gov. David Ige for using the death of Officer Bronson Kaliloa as a reason to not have open carry. Ige should know the laws; the suspect was a convicted felon who could not legally own a gun.

Also, his statement about “Hawaii’s safety and peace cannot be jeopardized because of decisions made far away from our shores by those who have political agendas, such as the president”: What about when a federal judge in Hawaii issued an injunction against the travel ban?

Wake up, people! MAGA.

Barry Wong

Hawaii Kai

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Where’s statue of Admiral Thomas?

Well, he’s done it again!

Remember when our mayor presented the key to the city to its own sons and daughters, upon their return from a world- encircling voyage of the Hokulea? Such a hospitable gesture to extend a place in the community to them.

Well, now he has ensconced in Thomas Square a statue of Kamehameha III, whose realm was restored to him on July 31, 1843, by British Admiral Richard Darton Thomas. But a statue of the presenter of the restored kingdom, Admiral Thomas — in Thomas Square? Of course not.

Theone Vredenburg

Makiki

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No excuse for long DMV delays

Having read about the delays in renewing driver’s licenses, I showed up with my documents early, expecting a three-hour wait. It turned out that the proposed wait would be six hours!

Since it was known approximately how many renewals would have to be handled in July and August, why didn’t the Division of Motor Vehicles establish the capacity for handling them? It could create more locations, lengthen hours, simplify procedures. Or did it just think that long waits would be acceptable?

They are not, and we should fault the city administration for this mess.

Harold Loomis

Kaimuki

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Don’t open Alaska to mining, drilling

Leave the Last Frontier, Alaska, alone!

I strongly oppose the possible approval of the Pebble Mine development and energy exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in northeast Alaska. CNN has recently covered these possible environmental intrusions.

Former President Barack Obama protected Alaska. He also renamed Mount McKinley to Denali out of respect for the native Alaskans. President Donald Trump and his administration are trying to undo Alaska’s protections and Obama’s efforts to preserve our national treasures. Short-term profits at the expense of nature and the future are not worth it. The environment will be scarred permanently.

There is no need to add onto the list of environmental failures in recent times. I like Alaska and will go there later this summer. I sure hope Alaska, the Last Frontier, will be as beautiful as it is now, and unharmed for future generations.

Lawrence M. O. Chun

Kailua

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Congress must save net neutrality

Net neutrality now lies in the hands of Congress after the Federal Communications Commission and its chairman, Ajit Pai, started rollbacks on June 11.

What is at stake is human rights being taken away from Americans because internet service providers can censor speech, social media and blogs.

So now Americans must create enough of a demand for restoring net neutrality by calling their local Congressman to vote in favor of it.

If members of Congress feel that there is enough of a demand, they will force a vote. This is done so by signing a discharge petition to force a net neutrality vote on the House floor.

Both U.S. Reps. Colleen Hanabusa and Tulsi Gabbard have done so. Those still yet undecided need to take this into consideration.

Abrar Qureshi

Willowbrook, Ill.