Everyone helped to fill Pro Bowl with smiles

I attended the Pro Bowl last Sunday and was impressed by how it was so successfully run. Traveling to the Aloha Stadium was hassle free because police officers were on every corner directing traffic and keeping it moving -- with smiles on their faces!

After parking, I stood in line to enter the Aloha Stadium and was so pleased that although the lines were long, everything moved along in an orderly fashion. The entertainment before and during the game was outstanding. The ushers were polite and I could see in people's faces that everyone was having a good time. It took a huge effort -- not only by the stadium staff but by HPD, the Pro Bowl folks and many others to make this event so successful and enjoyable.

As a kamaaina, I want to say thank you to everyone who made the day outstanding. I hope the Pro Bowl stays in Hawaii for many more years.

Hello, development and goodbye, water

As we welcome a kinder and drier era, I would like to say adios to our East Honolulu watershed. Current proposals call for resort "cabins" along the Ka Iwi Coast ridges and luxury condos for the Hahaione wetlands. The burial ridge at Paiko and the nearby fish ponds are all facing development. Even Wailupe Stream, the only natural flowing stream in East Honolulu is scheduled for cement channelization.

With developers buying more and more mountains in East Honolulu and no existing watershed management plan, let's raise our cups to the memory of our water.

Patients need to be protected from errors

I read with interest your Feb. 8 editorial opposing the Legislature's proposed limitation of the rights of patients who have been victims of medical malpractice. I am an advanced practice registered nurse and have taken care of patients as an RN for the past 13 years. I also am a lawyer and spend part of my time representing patients.

As a member of the health care profession, our primary concern is the welfare of the patient. We do our utmost best to take care of our patients and not make mistakes or act negligently. Unfortunately, mistakes and negligence do occur and patients should not be made to suffer the results without a means of treating their injuries and redressing the wrong done to them.

Malpractice insurance, like any other type of liability insurance, is a necessary part of doing business. It is there for the protection of the patient and the health care provider. You are correct that the ability to hold health care providers accountable will create a safer environment for patients and will improve the quality of healthcare. The cost of malpractice insurance may be a problem for the doctors in Hawaii. Malpractice is a bigger problem for patients.

Growth hormone can be detrimental

As an endocrinologist (a physician who manages hormonal disorders), I have followed the allegations that Roger Clemens, one of baseball's premier pitchers and seven-time winner of the prestigious Cy Young Award, used steroids and human growth hormone. Although the use of these drugs might benefit home-run hitters by increasing muscle mass and strength, their effect on pitchers might actually be detrimental.

Years ago I knew an avid softball player who developed acromegaly, a disease of excess growth hormone production. He played left field but as his disease progressed he found it more difficult to throw the ball into the infield due to buildup of cartilage in his shoulder from the effects of high levels of growth hormone. He became despondent when his manager moved him to first base and he sought medical attention resulting in the diagnosis and treatment of his condition.

Whether or not Clemens used drugs is the focus of an ongoing congressional investigation, but the use of anabolic (testosterone-like) steroids and human growth hormone in sports should rightfully be banned for many reasons, not least of which is the potential to shorten the career of a promising athlete. Just ask the softball player.

Police officers should obey traffic laws, too

On Thursday as I drove down the H-3 I saw a police officer on a motorcycle that had pulled over a vehicle for what I assumed was speeding. I felt sorry for the driver, but I understand that there is a reason we have speed limits and when you break the law there are consequences.

As I continued down the H-3 I glanced in my rearview mirror and saw the same officer in the distance. He was quickly gaining ground. When he buzzed past me he was going at least 80 mph. The hypocrisy of the whole situation really started to infuriate me. Although there is a chance that this particular officer might have had a legitimate reason to speed, I consistently see officers breaking the law that taxpayers pay them to uphold. I frequently see officers traveling faster than 40 mph on the same road where I was ticketed for going 33 mph last year. If there is urgent police business that requires an officer to travel faster than the speed our laws and society deem safe, then shouldn't their lights be on so that other drivers and pedestrians are aware?

The police department is already plagued with inaccurate negative stereotypes but when I consistently see cops speeding I can't help but interpret it as a blatant abuse of power. I am writing in the hope that officers will make an effort to obey the speed limit because when they don't, it undermines the integrity of the officer, the police department and most importantly the law itself.

Treat animals well -- don't eat them

Thank you for your support of humane treatment of pigs in transport from Canada to Hawaii ("Our opinion," Feb. 14). The real answer of course is for people to stopping eating pigs or any other animals. Better for your health, the animals and the planet.

Sustainable practices support efficiency

The Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan promotes a government position of "system preservation."

The premise of establishing a "report card" for the lawmakers efforts is OK. I can also support an establishment of statewide district Sustainability Councils that can coalesce communities' resources and prepare data for elected officials to consider in the ongoing task of governing the people.

I am confident that when Sen. Roz Baker, the chairwoman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, gets possession of this bill (SB 2833) the great state of Hawaii will be witness to efficient government by the modeling of sustainable practices.