MAHALO FOR AN EXEMPLARY CAREER

It is with great, heartfelt sadness that we learn about the upcoming retirement of several of our female judges, in particular Judge Frances Q. F. Wong.

Judge Wong has been an exemplary model of what a judge should, could, and would stand for. Honest, forthright, caring, compassionate, understanding, knowledgeable and very credible. Throughout her years of being on the bench, Judge Wong has faced some challenges with great dignity and honor, sometimes lacking in judges.

She is extremely hardworking and very caring. I am blessed to know her in and out of the legal field. I see candor and a funny side to her, often missing in some judges' personality.

She led the family and circuit courts to new strength and implemented a lot of new criteria that strengthened the legal justice system. Popular or not, Judge Wong stood tall by any decision that she made and never failed to account for what she felt was right and she did it with grace and dignity.

To this, we can only say thank you, Judge Frances Wong, and I wish you the best in your retirement.

Gayle Nakama | Honolulu

FISH DEPLETION

STATE NEEDS TOTAL BAN ON LAY GILLNETS

Regarding "Lay gillnets seen as a threat to Isle marine life," Sept. 28:

U.S. ocean policy laws must include a complete statewide ban on lay gillnets since they are a threat to Island marine life. Since Hawai'i is the only state that does not have total ban on lay gillnets and spearfishing with scuba we need federal laws to ban these activities that have depleted our nearshore fish.

Ocean advocate Rick Gaffney's mention (Advertiser, same day) of the collapse of the lobster industry in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands shows the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council policy of "take whatever you can" does not protect Hawai'i's aquacul-ture.

Hawai'i has more than 2,000 registered nets with the Department of Land and Natural Resources. This destructive fishing method must stop. See the Web site www.faircatchhawaii.org to see how Fiji banned lay gillnets and how the fish came back strong when they had a chance to recover from the overfishing. Seventy-five percent of Hawai'i's main island reef fish are depleted. Greed is not good. Give the fish time to grow and reproduce and fishing will improve statewide.

Tom Sebas | Honolulu

SEAL KILLING

SHOOTER'S SENTENCE WAS TOO LENIENT

A 78-year-old Kaua'i man gets 90 days in jail for killing a pregnant endangered Hawaiian monk seal and her unborn pup. Story goes he was trying to scare it off by shooting at it — yes, shooting at it. If you're trying to scare it off wouldn't you shoot in the air? Why would you aim in its direction?

This guy's story just doesn't add up. He should have been locked up longer and fined for what he did.

Gregory Mishima | Honolulu

SCHOOL SPORTS

STUDENT ATHLETES APPRECIATE DONORS

In the midst of huge cutbacks to public school funding, including the sports programs, I wanted to thank all those individuals, businesses and organizations who have donated to the S.O.S (Save Our Sports) campaign. As a student-athlete, I love to play sports and challenge other school teams. I can't imagine going to school without having athletic opportunities.

Mahalo to everyone who has donated to help us student athletes.

Janae Leilani Rasmussen | Kailua

TOBACCO TAX

IF OBJECT IS TO RAISE FUNDS, TAX OTHER 'SINS'

I've been a cigar smoker for 33 years. Many people despise my habit and have let me know this through limiting where I may enjoy a good smoke or through constant increases in taxes. The tobacco for my pipe will be taxed 70 percent. Considering the countless pipe smokers we see every day, I'm sure this will balance the budget next year.

I have been wondering: Are we being singled out because we are disliked or because people are truly concerned for our health? Given the aloha spirit, I must think it is the latter.

This gave me an idea. I, too, am concerned. I'm very concerned about the effects of eating too much junk food on our local people. I propose the same type of tax on soda, chips, candy, desserts and luncheon meat. Why tax the "sinful" behavior of a few if the objective is to raise tax money? Think big.

Some are saying that with the high price of smoking, it's the perfect time to quit. What if Spam hit $18 a can? Good time to go on a diet?

Mark Ida | Salt Lake