IF TIGER CAN BE WED, WHY CAN'T OTHERS?

So let me get this straight, no pun intended. Tiger Woods cheats on his wife a dozen or more times over numerous years, hypocritically professes his unwavering devotion to family values during a TV interview in New Zealand, apparently wrecks his car during one of many domestic squabbles and then tries to cover everything up, but a certain element of society has decided my loving, monogamous and committed relationship to my partner of seven years is a mockery, threatens the "sanctity" of marriage and should never be afforded legal acknowledgment?

JEFF MERZ | Waikíkí

ABERCROMBIE

SHAPIRO SHOULD BE APPLAUDING INSTEAD

David Shapiro's criticism (Volcanic Ash, Dec. 14) of Congressman Neil Abercrombie's earmark for Pacific Biodiesel is misguided and uninformed. The congressman was simply assisting a Hawaii company that needed help to fulfill a broadly supported state goal of energy independence. Mr. Shapiro implies that there is some evil or self-serving motivation, without considering first whether the actions serve a higher and intended public benefit. To be sure, in some cases, criticism is warranted, but not here.

The fact that the owner of Pacific Biodiesel is a supporter of Congressman Abercrombie is neither unexpected nor somehow sinister. It would be only natural that someone who recognized the enlightened thinking of Congressman Abercrombie would want to help him politically.Isn't that what participatory democracy is all about?

Perhaps Mr. Shapiro should consider the broader picture and ask whether the congressman's actions serve a higher purpose that benefits the general public or, at least, sit down with the good congressman to ask him what motivated his actions, before disparaging him and this citizen, who is doing something positive to solve one of the most pressing problems of our insular and oil-dependent state. We should be applauding them both.

francis nakamoto | Honolulu

SUSTAINABILITY

SMART POPULATION GROWTH A KEY TACTIC

I could not agree more with Ellen Goodman's column "Climate talks missing key point" (Dec. 11).

Responsible population growth is the strongest and easiest tactic mankind has to keep the Earth a liveable planet. All it takes is countries providing readily available contraceptive options and information — women take it from there and can execute smart family planning. This isn't a mandate banning large families but instead allows the millions of women overburdened by constant reproduction to have a choice in the matter while lightening the load on the planet.

It's time we bring the matter of smart population growth to the table and make some real progress on global sustainability.

MALIA KREN | Honolulu

KAHALA MALL

THANKS TO ALL WHO CAME TO THE RESCUE

I wish to thank the people who rushed to help me when I fell at Kahala Mall on Friday, Dec. 11. They both disappeared without my having had a chance to get their names or thank them, but I want them to know that their concern and help was (and still is) much appreciated. I also want to thank the Kahala Mall security and the ambulance team, Stacy and Adelle: All were not only capable and skillful, but also caring and reassuring. It's nice to know that such people are there quickly when one needs them.

JEAN S. GOCHROS | Honolulu

ENVIRONMENT

HAWAII MUST REUSE, REDUCE AND RECYCLE

Being from Hawaii and observing that most of the products are imported, we all need to learn and utilize the three Rs: reduce, reuse and recycle.

Many Americans waste food, water and other resources every day; here in Hawaii, we can emphasize reducing and reusing items. "The world will end in 2012" is what I have heard many times; reduce the pollution in Hawaii and drive more hybrid cars instead. Listen and implement the promotions for reducing pollution, use of energy and recycling different materials.

Just making a small change in habit can affect another person's decisions; buy organic, local produce and milk. Reducing pollution in the oceans is crucial; ice caps are swiftly melting in Antarctica. We must find different ways to produce energy. In Hawaii, we need to save energy when we are importing and exporting items. We are a tiny island chain; we do not have many resources to use for energy.

ELIZABETH SHISHIDO | Honolulu

BULKY ITEMS

$500 FINE TOUGH, BUT MAY BE NECESSARY

For over 30 years, I have called Hawaii home. This is dear and precious to me, but there are a few who cause us all to suffer by illegally dumping their unwanted items either weeks in advance of the monthly pickup or by dropping those things in front of some unsuspecting homeowner late at night. These people have no backbone.

I just got back from a trip to learn that Mayor Mufi Hannemann is proposing to "crack down" on illegal dumping on Oahu.

At first hearing that the mayor wanted to fine property owners $500 for illegal bulky, I thought to myself that it's pretty stiff.

Nevertheless , when I was out driving last weekend running some errands, the unsightly pockets of illegally dumped trash really stood out. Mattresses and dressers dotted the Moiliili area, a 52-inch big-screen TV was abandoned on the Nuuanu bridge. It was at that point when I realized that five Ben Franklins may be just the ticket to dissuade people from turning Honolulu into a third world country.

ANCELMO ACIDERA | Waipahu