The powerful travel industry in Hawaii is reaching questionable conclusions about the source of COVID-19 spread to make the governor ease restrictions, making it easier for tourists to come here, to the detriment of the safety of our residents.

Saying that most of the spread is caused by locals rather than tourists cannot possibly be proven. There is no doubt that on Kauai the spread is from tourists, as there were no new cases for weeks until the tourists started coming.

One can only guess how a specific person was infected. Any new infection could have resulted from a tourist, even though it may have passed through one or more carriers and the infected may not have personally come in contact with the infected tourist.

The governor should stand by his decision to put the welfare of his constituents first.

Rusl T. Bjork

Koloa, Kauai

Law, government stood firm against Trump

The disruptive Donald Trump era is almost over. I feel so much gratitude to the people of American law and government who stood up against a malicious would-be dictator:

>> The American legal system and an independent judiciary. Again and again the reckless and corrosive minions of King Donald tried to push a freewheeling autocracy and one-man rule. And again and again the courts rejected these destructive elements and were dedicated to appropriate legal process, ethics and the rules of sound evidence. Well done!

>> The good people in state and local government who followed the rules and maintained a stubborn independence during this election cycle. Whether Republican or Democratic, these proud American citizens did their duty in election centers and facilities throughout the country.

>> All the worthy employees of the federal government, who for years now have suffered harsh attacks and threats from Trump. They persevered. They endured. And now, we can see the glimmers of dawn ahead, pushing out the darkness. God bless them all!

Edward Ray Miller

Kailua

Trump’s leadership on COVID well-established

George Higashi asked if he is naive to think President Donald Trump is wrong about his COVID leadership (“Should Trump be sued for lack of leadership?” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Nov. 24). Yes Higashi is naive, if not ignorant.

In January 2020, Trump established a COVID-19 team, banned travel from China and then Europe, against Joe Biden’s and Nancy Pelosi’s wishes. Trump shut down the economy to prevent the spread of COVID-19. His COVID-19 team held daily meetings with the governors to resolve their individual issues. He invited private industry to produce millions of items of equipment lacking in the Strategic National Stockpile.

Trump tasked medical ships to help states that requested support. He was praised by governors, including New York’s Andrew Cuomo and California’s Gavin Newsom, for his help. Finally, thanks to Operation Warp Speed, therapeutics and vaccines have been produced faster than any other time in history.

Russel Noguchi

Pearl City

Legislature must focus on climate change

A political cartoon (Star-Advertiser, Nov. 23), shows frogs in a pot of water who are pleased upon reading that COVID-19 vaccines are coming. However, they don’t realize that the pot is being heated on a stove by the flames of the climate crisis.

Our Legislature surely will address COVID-19 and its effect on the budget, but it should not forget climate change. Although Hawaii has made some progress in expanding renewable energy, a report recently issued by the Hawaii State Energy Office shows that Hawaii’s consumption of fossil fuels has not decreased in the last 10 years for which data are available.

It will do us little good to have vaccines for COVID-19 and a recovering economy if we allow our planet to be so severely damaged by climate change that it threatens the health and well-being of us all.

John Kawamoto

Kaimuki

New stadium belongs next to UH-West Oahu

With the city and state facing mounting budget shortfalls due to the pandemic, why are we continuing on a fool’s mission to create a new Aloha Stadium entertainment district?

For those of us traveling west on game days, it’s a nightmare. The stadium is located where the “H’s” converge — H-1, H-201, and H-3.

Keep driving west on H-1 and you’ll soon arrive at the University of Hawaii- West Oahu.

A nice campus, with a rail stop, and lots and lots of land. The perfect place to build a college football stadium, one that is right-sized for a college the size of UH.

Let’s face it, we haven’t needed at 50,000-seat stadium in, well, ever. Even the 2008 UH football team didn’t fill the place. Why show the world all the empty seats when a well-thought out stadium, with plenty of parking, will serve us better?

A stadium that would support UH by giving it the lion’s share of revenue from tickets, parking and concessions. A stadium made for college football and one that would give the college football experience to us all.

Bev Brennan

Kapolei

EXPRESS YOURSELF

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser welcomes all opinions. Want your voice to be heard? Submit a letter to the editor.

>> Write us: We welcome letters up to 150 words, and guest columns of 500-600 words. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Include your name, address and daytime phone number.

>> Mail: Letters to the Editor, Honolulu Star-Advertiser 7 Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana, Suite 210 Honolulu, HI 96813

>> Contact: 529-4831 (phone), 529-4750 (fax), letters@staradvertiser.com, staradvertiser.com/editorial/submit-letter

BEING THANKFUL

2020 has been a whopper of a year: the COVID-19 pandemic, economic hurt, politics and elections. But surely there is much to be thankful for and to appreciate. We want to hear from you.

In the spirit of the season, we are now accepting letters (150 words max) and essays (500-600 words) with uplifting messages to share during this holiday season.

Email to letters@staradvertiser.com; or send to 500 Ala Moana Blvd. #7-210, Honolulu 96813, c/o Letters.