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Hate crimes deserve special punishment

Your Feb. 28 editorial on hate-crime legislation is dead wrong on all counts. Why should Hawaii remain one of only four states that fails to recognize that the First Amendment protects even the most disgusting, bigoted and hate-filled speech, but does not protect bigoted and hateful actions?

The Legislature should lose no time in passing the hate-crimes bill and, if the GOP is smart, it will get on the right side of this morally important issue, which costs taxpayers nothing.

Richard Miles

Even hate speech is protected

In response to your Feb. 28 editorial, " 'Hate-crime' legislation should be thrown out," wow! I've been saying this for several years and for those exact same, simple reasons that you stated in your editorial. I didn't expect it from one of our dailies.

I hope you get some interesting, opposing view points on your piece.

Kevin Gagan
Mililani

Quotables "It's something the mayor and I promised apartment and condominium owners. As a condo owner and the representative of thousands of condo dwellers, I think that we should have the same tax rate (as owners of houses)." Jon Yoshimura HONOLULU COUNCIL CHAIRMAN On the plan to reduce property taxes for apartment and condominium owners "Frankly, I think it is good for the process. The Republicans have some pretty sharp people there." Governor Cayetano Seeing nothing wrong with the GOP minority in the House using its recall power to discuss bills stuck in committee

Sub passengers must accept some blame

What happened to the Ehime Maru still consumes my thoughts each day. I cried silently for the parents of the young boys and the families of the other victims.

What outraged me most were the thoughtless comments by people like Karen Knudsen, Board of Education member, and Star-Bulletin columnist Charles Memminger. They tried to justify civilians being on board the USS Greeneville submarine while out at sea. Knudsen and Memminger went on and on about their grand rides on multimillion-dollar military equipment for the sake of public relations.

One Greeneville crew member has already admitted that the civilians on board were the very cause of the collision because of their crowding and distractions. These civilians should be held fully accountable for what happened. They should all be made to pay restitution to each victim and family. Why should taxpayers have to foot the entire bill?

The families of the missing ought to sue all 16 civilians. And all 16 owe the victims and their families a public and personal apology. Shame on them for remaining silent and pretending like they had nothing to do with this tragedy.

L. Manfredi

Don't rush to judgment on Greeneville response

The search for factual information about the tragic collision at sea is necessary for both the families of the victims of the Ehime Maru, and for the crew and commander of the USS Greeneville.

Newspapers report that there are questions about the response of the officers and crew at the time of the collision. These questions reflect the perception that the seamen and officers didn't do enough to help the victims of the Japanese vessel.

This perception may have arisen because the nature of nuclear submarine design and construction is not understood. Modern submarines are very different from those used in earlier wars.

Nuclear subs are true submersibles. They are not designed to operate on the surface of the ocean and therefore are not built to accommodate deck watches or deck operations of any type.

Earlier submarines were war machines built to operate under water only when necessary. But they were required to spend 4-6 hours daily on the surface to recharge batteries.

Those ships were not true submersibles, and safety measures were built onto the topside of the ships so crews could man the deck cannon and the anti-plane machine guns from the ship's bridge.

Guidewires were stretched the length of the ship's deck to help crew members from being washed off the deck while engaged in topside maneuvers or heavy seas.

Because nuclear submarines do not operate on the water's surface, they do not need these safety measures. A ship's captain in a modern submarine would be inviting the loss of his own crew members if he were to send them topside to "help" -- especially if the seas were running 6- to 8-foot swells.

Resist early judgment. There may be reasons for which the captain's judgment may be questioned. His decision not to send his crew topside in this case is not one of them.

Stephen T. Murin

City is setting bad precedent at Hanauma

A dangerous and most disturbing precedent is being set with the development of Hanauma Bay nature preserve.

First, the city wants us to believe the upper park is not a part of Hanauma Bay. On the contrary, the bay and park are part of the same nature preserve which begins as soon as one begins the drive down to the parking lot.

Is it OK to see our open park spaces eaten up for the sake of education and new city offices?

Education is a good thing but does not justify what is being planned at Hanauma Bay. Where will the next education center and satellite offices pop up -- at Waimea Bay or Makapuu?

Second, entrance fees justify this development. What if the city wants to begin asking for ID and/or charging for entrance to other public beaches or places while it "educates" you?

This is just the beginning, folks!

Diane D. Ackerson

Education is key need at Hanauma Bay

Corky's cartoon on Feb. 27 on Hanauma Bay was of questionable taste. However, it did emphasize a point that supporters of the Bay Development Program have been trying to make.

It is clear to the planners and volunteer docents at the beach when visitors have ignored the signs on how to treat the bay because they continue to walk on the coral. Thus, it will be very clear in the future when the test is flunked, for they will be walking and touching the coral reef.

This will allow a docent or park ranger to make the visitor stop or even to leave, thus protecting of the bay in the present and future, the goal of the effort.

We need to educate not just visitors, but residents as well. It is hoped that residents from all the islands be educated at Hanauma Bay, for the principles presented will protect the reefs.

Roy J. Gritter
Hanauma Bay Volunteer

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