Stricter curfew would help teens, community

It is a "24/7" world, and a public cost that needs reviewing is teenagers staying out beyond midnight. I suggest that our legislators revisit and study curfew hours for teenagers (beyond the current law of 10 p.m. for 16 years old and younger).

Sleeplessness on parents' part is not good for productivity at work. Drowsiness among teenagers is not good for their employers or for our highways. Community peace is disrupted as families are pitted against each other over curfew standards. Burden on police is lessened.

Families cannot replace what businesses and peers can offer after midnight, but government meddling might be warranted considering economic productivity, highway and neighborhood safety, and community and family peace.

Fireworks don't belong in irresponsible hands

A grateful mahalo to the firefighters who responded to the fire in Makakilo on July 4. The fire, which apparently was started as a result of fireworks in the hands of irresponsible people in the neighborhood, was too close for comfort to our house and even closer to our neighbors' houses. Fortunately, the firefighters were able to put out the fire before it caused any damage to nearby homes, but not before it caused some anxious moments for those of us whose homes were threatened.

To the person or persons responsible for the fire: Your carelessness is a good reason that fireworks should be banned. If you are minors, your parents are equally to blame and should be ashamed of themselves for not properly supervising you. It's time to ban nonprofessional fireworks, since it is apparent that adults can't be trusted to exercise good judgment.

Michelle a winner despite not winning

I have to agree with Bruce Schauble of Punahou (Letters, July 4) in his comments about Michelle Wie's "major disappointment." He's right in saying that she should be praised for her results, but praise just doesn't make the same headlines as criticism. On the other hand, I am sure that Michelle felt some disappointment because of her intense desire to win, and that's part of what makes her what she is -- a winner.

Waikiki parking spaces should be replaced

The city has just removed dozens of free on-street parking spaces on Ala Wai Boulevard for at least six months to facilitate the Beachwalk sewer project. This will cause hardship in the form of time, money and inconvenience for hundreds of residents, including me.

For years, the city has taken free on-street parking in Waikiki for various projects, always promising to replace lost spaces later. This has not happened. Mayor Hannemann needs to find some way to alleviate the hardship by making alternate free parking available to the long-suffering auto owners in Waikiki. The lot on Aloha Drive has been promised as additional parking for years; it's time to make it happen. Parking may be made available at Ala Wai Park or other city facilities. The mayor needs to get creative and do something to create more parking to replace what has been lost.

Whale lovers ignore dangers to people

So the far-left National Resources Defense Council went judge shopping till it found in Florence Marie Cooper a U.S. District Court judge who would buy its propaganda about the Navy's use of sonar (Star-Bulletin, July 4).

The U.S. Navy doesn't use its sonar lightly, nor does it go out of its way to hurt marine mammals. The radical environmental cult for years has professed a great concern for things and animals while harboring disdain for humanity in general. It would be appropriate and welcome for the Navy during the RIMPAC exercise to proceed with the testing of sonar equipment designed to save sailors lives in time of combat. People first!