Early illegal fireworks are a big problem
Since early November there have been nightly and numerous displays of illegal aerial and explosive fireworks in many of our neighborhoods. The problem is much worse than in many years, and it appears that there is no end in sight.
Each night tremendous explosions occur on a regular basis. They disturb our peace, pollute our air and scare our pets.
On Christmas Eve it was the worst yet … a holiday that is reserved for worship, family and friends, not the sounds of a war zone!
We have called the police and our City Council members, as this problem needs immediate attention. Why is it that this illegal behavior is tolerated, and why haven’t we seen a story on this in the newspapers?
Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve celebrations is one thing; two months of explosions and aerials, including Christmas Eve, is quite another.
Mark Barnes
Waikele
Faith with fireworks should be re-examined
If your religion demonizes other religions, indigenous peoples and the other species, if your religion cannot coexist with other people’s cultural cosmogony, claims to believe in the one and only god and traumatizes the other species with firecrackers, then it’s time to reevaluate your belief system.
Eric Po‘ohina
Kailua
Let new year bring concern for animals
As we gather with those closest to us this holiday season, most in Hawaii are sharing this special time of year with beloved animals. However, two recent savage attacks on Honolulu pets illustrate how vulnerable these bonds of love and compassion are in the face of mindless cruelty. This month a Honolulu couple’s beloved dog, Caddy, is believed to have been abducted, slaughtered and eaten. Also this month, hunters broke into animal pens cared for by Leilehua High School students and sent in hunting dogs to mutilate and kill the school’s pet pig, Maemae, and other helpless animals.
It is almost unimaginable that these barbaric crimes could happen in our Aloha State, where we pride ourselves on our respect and compassion toward one another and our animals. The Hawaiian Humane Society is conducting a full investigation of both tragedies, and hopefully these cases will be successfully prosecuted by the city. This is why the Humane Society and animal owners statewide have fought for so many years for felony-level punishment in cases of deliberate, violent and heinous crimes of animal cruelty.
This year we welcomed a new animal protection law that mandates felony punishments for felony crimes. This stronger law says that penalties should fit the crimes. It also inspires individuals to stand up, intervene and report cruelty in hopes that together we can stamp out brutal and malicious crimes against animals in our neighborhoods. It also stands to encourage parents to raise their children to believe that compassion and brotherly love extend to all creatures.
May this new year strengthen our community’s resolve to be better neighbors and companions to each other and to be champions as well as protectors of all animals.
Pamela Burns
President and CEO
Hawaiian Humane Society
Visitors society aided family of Pearl veteran
To the citizens of the great city of Honolulu, we say aloha and thank you.
Walt Mycka, Pearl Harbor survivor, came to Hawaii at the request of his shipmates of the battleship USS Maryland to place a wreath at the 65th commemoration at the USS Arizona Memorial.
Walt fell seriously ill the morning of Dec. 7, 2006, and died at Straub Hospital on Dec. 29.
He and our family were helped in so many ways during this time by the wonderful Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii. Jessica Lani Rich, president, and husband Rick Texier worked to make a difficult time bearable.
We gratefully remember both the service our Uncle Walt performed for our country and what the Visitor Aloha Society did for us.
Umar Mycka
Philadelphia
Media ownership should not be limited
Regarding “Nullify FCC decision to increase conglomerate media” (“Our Opinion,” Star- Bulletin, Dec. 22): Broadcasters have a right to own as many newspapers and other media as they please, and shouldn’t need permission from the FCC for that.
Any government interference on the ability of media companies to publish or broadcast their content violates their First Amendment right to free speech.
David Holcberg
Ayn Rand Institute
Irvine, Calif.
Rail route seems like a political decision
What is with the rail going through Salt Lake and not the airport? That should have been a no-brainer. The airport is where all our business comes from — the millions of people who visit us each year as well as the hundreds of thousands who leave for business across the seas. This looks like City Councilman Romy Cachola’s attempt to make the 70,000 voters in his district look favorably upon him. What about the best interest of the entire community? We all got to go to the airport sometime.
Romy, just don’t make another selfish move and use your personal gain to derail the rail process. Let the experts make the recommendations.
Steve Barnes Jr.
Diamond Head