Feral cats don't deserve to be starved
Too many people believe the correct way to deal with feral cats is to ignore them. Dr. Becky Rhoades of the Hawaiian Humane Society was herself quoted in the Sept. 25 article on the UH cats by advising people not to feed them.This idea is outdated and has allowed the problem to become what it is. Trap/Neuter/Return has shown itself to be the most effective way to control feral cat populations all over the world.
We should be thankful that feeding feral cats pulls them in and allows control of the entire group. Because we don't have the option to neuter wild birds, it makes sense not to feed them. But feral cats are a different problem; ignoring them only supports an endless cycle of suffering.
Acts of compassion toward feral cats should never be discouraged. Your reporter should have contacted one of many organizations that deal with feral cats for a better insight into the problem.
Cindy Newburg
Kailua
Inouye is no friend of medical doctors
In your Aug. 21 issue, Sen. Daniel Inouye was quoted as saying he has "supported psychologists, optometrists, podiatrists, nurses and other medical professionals because that's the way to cut down medical costs."I served for years on the Carrier Advisory Committee for Hawaii's Medicare system and am well versed in the variants of information and disinformation regarding physician reimbursement.
From 1970-90, physician reimbursement was consistently 11 percent of costs. Nurse practitioners receive 85 percent of physician charges; thus a $50 doctors visit is $42.50 when done by nurse practitioners, hardly windfall savings especially in light of care from non-physicians. If all physicians, including specialists, were replaced by nurses, there would be less than a 2 percent overall savings.
From 1970-90, insurance overhead went from 11.5 to 24 percent, and presently approaches 50 percent. Here's where to save costs! Attacking physicians is the insurance industry's plan, which the above statement makes obvious and which Inouye supports. A two-tiered system results in the poor, disabled, elderly and middle class receiving inferior care while the rich receive premium care. The insurance industry and their politician friends benefit.
Stop the shibai! The American Medical Association was right to retract its award to Inouye.
James DeLuze, M.D.
Kailua
Hawaii women must paddle in all-star canoe teams
Congratulations to the women of Waimanalo! I was surprised to log onto the Na Wahine O Ke Kai's website and not see whom I expected to see in the top three spots of the Molokai crossing. I thought for sure, like last year, it would be a tight one between Rigaroos/Off Shore and Outrigger.How refreshing that two local clubs were in the winner's circle in the Super Bowl of paddling! Being from Hawaii, I'm always rooting for the "home" teams. Waimanalo's outstanding performance just goes to show that picking the "best" -- from a contingent of talent from lots of clubs -- is what it takes to beat the top teams in the world.
I'm the last person who wants to see outrigger paddling become an elitist sport, but it's already happened. Both Offshore and the Aussie Rigaroos are comprised of elite kayakers. They are not really clubs in the traditional sense. Some of the girls don't even live in the same state on the Aussie crew, and only find themselves sitting in outriggers for international events like the Molokai Hoe.
If we are going to see a Hawaiian crew take first place, we'll have to do the same. Hawaii's paddlers will have to resign themselves to the fact that, in international events, do as the top crews do: Pick the best the state has to offer, like it or not.
As in nature and crossing the channel, so it seems, "only the strong survive" and win.
Rebecca White Taggart
Sydney, Australia
Referendum on gambling is needed in this state
We all need jobs and the state needs the revenues to carry out its vital programs such as education. Tourism is the job creator in Hawaii and many of the suggestions come from the tourists themselves as they depart Hawaii.Most of them were outspoken in their preference for some form of legalized gambling as exists in other Pacific Rim countries. Yet the vocal minority will always oppose gambling, citing an increase in crime and pathological gamblers.
On issues that legislators are not ready to propose (because they have no guts), let's have a referendum!
Toshio Chinen
Pearl City
Nahaku Brown is passing down volleyball legacy
When we read your Sept. 18 article, "Best 25 UH Rainbow Wahine," we were delighted to see that our coach, Nahaku Brown, was selected as one of the Wahine's top players.We were merely babies when she made it to the "big time." However, as seniors on the varsity team, we are grateful that we can now benefit from her vast knowledge of the sport. While it's one thing to be a great athlete, it's another to be willing to teach those skills to others. In this way, Coach Brown is giving back to the community and its young people. This is so valuable in a country where many people just look out for themselves.
The work is intense, as she pushes us to be better players. She is also teaching us to be outstanding young women on all levels so that perhaps, one day, some of us may be listed among "the best."
Abbi Dela Cruz
Kyla Kilantang
Stacie Polendey
Grade 12, Sacred Hearts Academy
Children will suffer if gay marriage is allowed
One special-interest group is awaiting legalization of same-sex marriage. Its members mislead the people in maintaining that our Constitution will be affected.This is not about hating or mistreating gay people. Christians are commanded to love their neighbor as themselves. But we cannot compromise right from wrong, not when it comes to a command from God.
In addition to the world watching us in Hawaii, a far more important group of people will be affected by what we do. My fear is that our children and grandchildren will be adversely affected by permitting same-sex marriage.
Please, for the sake of them, vote "yes" on Nov. 3.
Charlotte Kawazoe
Critic of chiropractors did them a favor
After reading another one of Kurt Butler's elegant tirades against chiropractors (Letters, July 24), I was tempted to drop it rather than pursue a useless dialogue. However, I'd like to acknowledge that GTE's response to complaints on discriminatory treatment of the chiropractic yellow pages has been fast and positive. GTE conceded that the fraud notice was inaccurate and inappropriate.Butler did do us a favor by pointing out what chiropractors effectively adjust for in their practices. Many people assume it is only for back pain. But the 1998-99 edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, bulletin 2500-7 states, "Chiropractors...diagnose and treat patients whose health problems are associated with the body's muscular, nervous, and skeletal systems, especially the spine. Chiropractors believe interference...impairs normal function...lowers resistance to disease...alter many important body functions by affecting the nervous system."
All this, in addition to proven, cost-effective handling of worker's comp cases! Perhaps we should thank Butler for keeping our profession in the limelight.
Rik Cederstrom, D.C.
Sovereignty brings up some difficult questions
Here are some questions directed to those Hawaiians who persistently clamor for sovereignty over the islands:
Under sovereignty, what would be the status of non-Hawaiians born in Hawaii? Would they be required to relinquish their U.S. citizenship, apply for Hawaiian citizenship and pledge allegiance to the Hawaiian flag?
Howard H.K. Mew
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