BRAVE DECISION SPEAKS OF CHARACTER

During a holiday season when so many families are struggling in our poor economy, next year's elections may not be a high priority. Some Islanders are still undecided while others have become so cynical they're unconcerned that Hawaii has one of the lowest voter turnouts in the country.

In such a climate, Neil Abercrombie's decision to resign early from his safe congressional seat to run for governor is a testament to his character, courage and commitment. It reinforces his image as a standup elected official who came out for Barack Obama when others were still testing the waters. It's exciting to look forward to a straightforward, transparent campaign that results in a governor we can trust.

pat and faye daly | Honolulu

PEACE PRIZE

OBAMA SHOULD HAVE DECLINED NOBEL

At this juncture of his presidential career, it would have been more heroic of President Obama had he not accepted the Nobel Peace Prize. He has not accomplished missions that would promote world peace such as defusing the stalemate of the potentially world-destabilizing Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

For whatever his rationale, sending more troops to Afghanistan is not accepted worldwide as a peace move; on the contrary, it practically means widening the conflict in that unfortunate country, causing increased suffering on both the Afghan populace and our young men and women who must shoulder the burden of the war.

Obama is a fine man, a president well liked, an eloquent orator with definite potential for the Nobel Peace Prize.

But he is not yet a King, Carter, Mandela or Dalai Lama to deserve the honorable peace prize, at least not at this stage of his career.

DJON INDRA LIM, M.D. | Hilo, Hawaii

FURLOUGHS

STANCE EXACERBATES 2-TIER SCHOOL SYSTEM

Wow! As an ex-teacher, I am astounded by the teachers' stand on planning days. How can they figure planning days are more important than student/teacher contact? Maybe it's because many teachers send their children to private schools so their families are not affected.

What is happening is that the two-tiered school system here in Hawaii is being exacerbated by this situation.

Here, the well-off send their children to private schools. Public schools are for the children of people without those means.

I feel this furlough decision will come back to affect teachers. When they want more funding for the schools in the name of "quality education" or the argument we need it for the kids, that will be met with scepticism. Those cards will not be in their hand. They threw them away for free Fridays.

DOLORES DUCHENE-KIM | Ewa Beach

HOMELESS

TENT CITIES ON PUBLIC LAND COULD HELP

All over our country there are real problems with where to let people without homes live. Some cities are setting aside public lands for tent cities, with restrooms, showers, trash pickup, security, community kitchens, mobile medical vans and social help. Sure beats the streets. And with all the budget cuts, no more costly shelters are going to be built.

This could be a real solution for now. Please call, write, or e-mail "Mr. Mayor" and "Ms. Governor" and let's get to work and help these poor people.

DAVID B. CANNELL | Waipahu

CLIMATE CHANGE

WAR'S TOLL NEEDS TO BE REPORTED

Thank you for publishing Ellen Goodman's column (Dec. 11) about climate talks missing the point about the effects of population explosion.

I was surprised to learn that the world population was approaching 7 billion. But Goodman's article reminded me of something else that, logically, must be having a tremendous negative effect on climate, yet I never see or hear about it in the media: war. Aren't there any articles about the effects on climate of war planes and troop convoys, not to mention bombs exploding?

WYNNIE HEE | Mililani

CORAL REEFS

INVALUABLE RESOURCEURGENTLY NEEDS BILL

This week Sen. Daniel Inouye and several co-sponsors introduced legislation that will enhance protection for corals and reefs throughout the United States.

The value of coral reefs cannot be overstated: Corals are among the most important animals in the sea. Reefs provide marine life with places to find food, safe havens from predators and areas for reproduction. They support 25 percent of all known marine fish, and Hawaii's reefs support more than 7,000 known species of marine plants and animals.

In turn, coral reef ecosystems provide us with food, commerce, protection from storms and even medicine. A recent United Nations study estimates that coral reefs are worth $172 billion annually in benefits stemming from food, tourism, climate regulation, coastal protection and biodiversity. Hawaii reefs are valued at $10 billion and contribute $364 million annually through marine tourism.

But corals and coral reefs are in crisis, suffering effects from overfishing, climate change, ocean acidification, invasive species, pollution, oil and gas exploration, coastal development and extraction for use in the jewelry, home decor and aquarium industries.

Corals in Hawaii and worldwide need help. I hope that the Senate moves quickly on Sen. Inouye's bill and President Obama signs it into law with all deliberate speed.

DAWN M. MARTIN | President, SeaWeb, San Francisco