Online readers are able to respond immediately to Star-Bulletin stories through our Web forum, which can be accessed at the end of stories, editorials and columns at starbulletin.com. Below is a selection of forum comments that appeared last week. Most forum contributors use pseudonyms; their “;names”; have been omitted here.

“;Scammers talk their way into pair of Hilo houses,”; March 30: It's a shame. I remember when we never locked our doors.

———

I hope an angry mob catches these crooks, beats them up and drags them on the street before handing them over to the police.

———

Another scam is getting a traffic vest and a hard hat, then pretending to be a utility worker in need of checking a meter. This is a very popular scam on the mainland.

————

At some point Hawaii people, especially the baby boomers and their parents, have to accept the fact that Hawaii is no longer the same place they grew up.

———

”;People likely decimated protected albatross colony,”; March 31: After humans finish killing off everything, they will start killing off each other.

———

This is what is so disgraceful about this state, my home of 44 years and home to my family for over 160 years. You try to give civil unions to gays and the “;people “; will come up with millions of dollars to stop that, but to save our precious lands for our grandchildren and you can't even spare a hour of time. Whenever I see people doing volunteer clean-up work it's always the haoles doing the picking up.

———

”;Rivals fight to fill Aloha (Airlines) void,”; March 31: I don't think go! was responsible for the shutdown of Aloha Airlines. They only have five 50-seat airplanes compared to a dozen of Aloha's 126-seater 737s. I think it was poor management that led to the downfall of Aloha. I used to work for Aloha and I saw a lot of wasted money. I also think that they should have replaced the aircraft fleet with something more fuel-efficient.

———

Mesa has a history of being predatory. go! is just another classic textbook case in Mesa history. I still do not believe the local people have accepted go!

———

Well, if you don't like go! you can always catch the Superferry! Oh wait, forget it.

———

”;4 mayors oppose state pay cuts,”; March 31: Looks like tax increases are on the way if the four county mayors won't agree with Gov. Linda Lingle's plan. Well, maybe tax increases and layoffs of state workers. The most junior state workers should prepare now and cut their spending because seniority counts when it comes to who gets laid off first.

———

I guess these mayors would rather have job cuts than pay cuts. And they would rather tax those who are already hurting in this failing economy just so they can continue to appease their bread-and-butter support, the unions. And these mayors would rather spend along their merry way.

———

”;Tourist numbers and spending down”;: April 1: Maui's visitor arrivals fell 22 percent in February with the Superferry still operating. Let's see what the numbers are this month without the Superferry.

———

The economy is tanking and Hawaii's politicians want to spend more of our money. They are afraid of making the necessary cuts to help balance our economy. Let's vote those bums out before they bankrupt our state.

———

Here's a tip. Make a point to share the aloha with tourists when you're able, especially those of you in the service industries. Treat the military members of our community with respect and go out of your way to invite those living near you to share in some conversation or even a neighborhood potluck. We can all play a part in how the islands are viewed by outsiders, and we locals should do everything we can, no matter how small, to help the economic viability of Hawaii. It's our life's blood.

———

LOL, I can't wait for the island economy to crash and burn, then the people will revolt!

———

”;Accused gunman was free on bail at time of shooting,”; April 2: Glad to read that the prosecutor objected each time our limp-wrist judge continued to let this man stay out of jail. I guess now the judge can accept partial responsibility for this killing. He, the judge, should be charged as an accomplice in this crime.

———

The judge left this idiot out on the street with a shotgun. Who is this judge who now has blood on his/her hands? This judge should resign today or be removed.

———

This state has a long legacy of appointing criminal defense lawyers to be judges. This is the logical outcome of allowing soft-on-crime judges to allow convicted criminals to walk among the law-abiding citizens of this state. Hawaii's state criminal justice system is a joke. There's a new example every week. Quit voting for Democrats, and this stuff will stop.

———

”;Deal is achievable for balanced budget during hard times”; (editorial), April 3: HMO, cut spending or raise taxes. Guess which party wants to do what.

———

The first thing that needs to be done is our greedy state legislators have to give back their outrageous 36 percent pay raise. They have lost all respect from the taxpayers.

———

“;I don't see the Legislature conceding the 36 percent increases they took, and it is patently unfair,”; said Randy Perreira, head of the Hawaii Government Employees Association. Give me a break. All the laid off workers in the private sector would have gladly taken a pay cut over losing a their jobs.

———

Our leaders must keep their cool and stop their inflammatory rhetoric. This includes Ms. Hamamoto, Ms. Kim and the governor.

———

The first things that needs to get cut are homeless resources and welfare programs. Don't hate on the Legislature. At least they are working and not scamming everyone else who is working too.