It was a wise move by Mayor Kirk Caldwell to delay any Blaisdell restoration (“Mayor Kirk Caldwell scraps plans for Blaisdell Center face-lift, citing rail cost uncertainty,” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 3). However, there are a few improvements that should be taken now to upgrade the concert hall. I’ll leave it to others to comment about the exhibition hall and the arena.

First, add to the number of rest-rooms, especially for women. Eliminate the mad rush at intermission to get in line.

Second, install escalators from the ground floor to the balcony level. There is an aging population and getting up and down stairs becomes more difficult (see also the effect on use of restrooms, as there are none upstairs).

And third, create a center aisle as was done for “The Lion King” a few seasons ago. There simply should be an easier way to get to the middle of the house rather than stumbling over many seats.

There are other changes needed, but for its age and usage, the concert hall is doing pretty well.

Robert S. Sandla

Hawaii Kai

Hawaii homes already have plenty of guns

One item not noted in the gun-rights rally article (“Gun rights advocates rally at the state Capitol,” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 3), was that the Hawaii Firearms Coalition rally occurred at the same time as Officer Tiffany Enriquez’s final roll call (“Crowds line the streets to honor fallen Honolulu police officer Tiffany Enriquez,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 31). This raises the question as to whether the timing was an intentional political statement or just incredible insensitivity to the grieving families in their most difficult hour.

The article said that “40% of homes in Hawaii” hold firearms. This is most likely untrue, as a 2015 Violence Policy Center study placed the percentage of gun-holding households at 9.7.

Furthermore, the state Attorney General’s Office has noted that between 2000 and 2014, 420,409 firearms were registered, in addition to the 1 million firearms already registered. This means that there are more guns in the state than people.

If the argument is that more guns means safer streets, Hawaii would be crime-free already.

Sen. Karl Rhoads

Downtown-Nuuanu-Liliha

Bill favors gun users over others acquitted

The article, “Gun rights advocates rally at the state Capitol” (Star-Advertiser, Feb. 3), describes Senate Bill 2728, a measure that would require the state to reimburse legal fees and wages for anyone who is involved in a shooting, charged with a crime and later acquitted because the shooting was found to be justified.

If this bill passes, it wouldn’t be fair to anyone else who is charged with a crime and later acquitted, since they must pay legal fees and forfeit lost wages.

Nancy Perry

Kailua

Former ASU coach will do Hawaii proud

As a fervent and proud alumnus of Arizona State University, I just want to reassure the University of Hawaii faithful that the athletic director made an excellent choice when he chose Todd Graham as the Warriors’ new head coach.

I thoroughly enjoyed following the Sun Devil program during the Graham years. Graham brought the program to a level it had not enjoyed for many years. He is an inspiring and energetic teacher, and typically surrounds himself with the absolute best position coaches.

Given a fair chance, Graham will build on Nick Rolovich’s success and make UH a conference power, a la Boise State. Fans can look forward to many, many years of outstanding success under Graham.

Michael Mills

Ewa Beach

Windward side waiting too long for dog park

Eight dog parks on Oahu, and not a single one on the heavily populated Windward side. Twenty years ago, the first Windward dog park committee was founded. Nothing happened.

For the past five years, another non-profit has worked tirelessly to make this a reality, including collecting thousands of signatures on petitions.

Finally Alexander & Baldwin generously donated a parcel of almost eight acres at Hamakua, specifically set aside for a dog park.

A big press conference was held by local politicians, with promises that it would be completed in about 18-24 months, although with a much more ambitious plan — a large community park with tons of extra features, including a rock-climbing wall.

We’re now into the second year since the ballyhooed news announcement, and not a single thing has been done, not even a study (“Kailua dog park hounded by delays,” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 2). Meanwhile, we read about more bark parks being built around the island, and people keep complaining about dogs running loose on Kailua Beach.

What’s going on? This is neglect at best and scandalous at worst. We deserve better.

Laura Myers

Kaneohe

Senate bill would save survivors of abortion

What is happening to our aloha, our compassion for the innocent, for our keiki? Are we losing it?

Senate Bill 2237 would ensure that an infant who survived an abortion was to be provided medically appropriate, reasonable care and treatment — the same as any other newborn.

I realize that many may be surprised that this happens. However, note there are hundreds of survivors living today; some are in their 40s, 50s and even 60s, living normal lives.

This is a simple non-threatening, non-controversial bill. It does nothing to restrict or prohibit an abortion and does nothing to interfere with a women’s right to choose.

What could possibly be the harm of having this bill heard? State Sen. Rosalyn Baker apparently feels that it is not necessary. I and many others are hoping she will have a change of heart and give this bill a hearing. She has nothing to lose.

Rita Kama-Kimura

Mililani

China’s change of heart with virus appreciated

Only 18 years, and what a change. In 2002 at the peak of the SARS epidemic, China backed away from First-World responsibility and cooperation with the World Health Organization.

As a preventive medicine specialist, I particularly appreciate its attitude change in joining with the rest of the developed world with the serious response called for by this new coronavirus epidemic.

Ron Kienitz

Kailua

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