As a result, three firefighters were killed in action: Two were killed by a bomb blast and one by bullet wounds from a strafing attack. In addition, six were wounded and 12 others escaped without injury.

All 21 firefighters bravely and honorably put their lives on the line on that day of infamy. Let us not forget that our HFD is the only U.S. fire department to ever have its firefighters involved in wartime combat.

The three killed and the six wounded received Purple Hearts. They are now a part of American history.

We firefighters of the past will never forget them.

Walter Komatsubara
Retired firefighter, HFD

Protecting only a few turtles is essential

I applaud Judge David Ezra for his foresight and practical application of the law for environmental conservation efforts. The significance of protecting 50 to 60 sea turtles from drowning on longline fishing lines is a step toward maintaining biological diversity through species conservation.

I spent seven months in Indonesia, east of Bali, on Moyo Island Nature Preserve and Marine Reserve. As coordinator of the Nature Preserve and Marine Reserve, I witnessed the wholesale destruction of the marine environment and slaughter of a dwindling sea turtle (green and hawksbill) population. Hawai'i should set an example for the world. Until we do, the world will cite us as being hypocrites and having a double standard.

Anne Rillero, of the Marine Turtle Research lab, wrote that in 1997 only 504 nesting green sea turtles were counted at East Island, French Frigate Shoals (North Hawai'i). Only 5,900 turtles have been examined in Hawaiian waters in recent years. This number puts into perspective the importance of protecting 50 to 60 turtles from drowning each year.

Ezra has done his homework and understands that without the application of law and enforcement, our honu population could easily cease to exist in as little as one generation.

Kyle Forsyth

If military protects, why does it destroy?

My name is Kiele and I am a 13-year-old girl and a 7th-grade student at Wai'anae Intermediate. I heard that my family was having trouble with the military, trying to protect the land.

For a few days I have been thinking about the duties of the military or the reason why the military is here, and I have come up with a question that neither my uncle nor Gen. Dubik could answer:

If the military's job is to protect the people from harm, then why is it that it destroys the land that we need to live on and survive off of?

If the military really wants to help the people, then it should not destroy the land.

I know I am just a little girl to all of you and I don't understand anything about the law, but if I am just a little girl, then why is this question so hard that not even Gen. Dubik could answer it? So please, if you can, find the answer to my question.

Kiele Mitchell
Wai'anae

Hawai'i needs a 'right to carry' firearms law

We read and hear repeatedly how Hawai'i's citizens, particularly women, are brutally and sometimes fatally attacked. Some are physically maimed forever, and all are permanently traumatized and fearful.

Most people in Hawai'i do not realize that law-abiding citizens who have been brutally attacked, beaten and maimed, or repeatedly threatened with death, cannot get a permit to carry a concealed weapon in Hawai'i. The merchant who has been repeatedly robbed, even shot, or the jewelry salesman, or the woman who must travel the roads at night alone cannot either.

In 1991, Florida took a radical approach to crime and allowed "right to carry." Citizens with a clean record can take a formal course in laws, firearms and marksmanship and then have the right to carry a concealed firearm or have one in their car.

There were cries from the anti-gun foes that there would be blood in the streets, a return to the Old West mentality. Such was furthest from the truth. Those who choose to arm themselves have become an exemplary group. The violent-crime rate went down significantly, and other states quickly took notice.

Already 32 states have such laws. Violent crime falls and then continues to fall. America's honest armed citizens now number in the hundreds of thousands. Very few lose their permits: They honor the right to have it.

Many such laws have had to mandate that the police could not deny a permit to a legitimate applicant. This is what will have to happen in Hawai'i. I hope our citizens will pursue it with their legislators.