Humane society did the right thing

I applaud the Hawaiian Humane Society's decision to try to rescue that dog left adrift at sea (Star-Bulletin, April 8). I have taken care of more than 30 dogs (they all have good homes now), not for the money but for the love an animal will return to you. Then there is the special cat in my life, Sasha, which I got from the humane society 15 ago. She still makes me laugh. She was the first animal I got; she put up with all those dogs and is still with us.

We need to remember that a lot of times an animal is a godsend that you may not or choose not to understand. Those dogs were a godsend to me. I learned that there were more important things in life then my seven-year addiction to crystal meth -- the dogs gave me more to care for than just myself. Thanks, Hawaiian Humane Society.

Ray Richards

Dog-rescue money showed poor priorities

Fifty thousand dollars to rescue one dog? Did the folks at the Hawaiian Humane Society ever consider their priorities before spending such a sum? It seems to me the money could have been better spent. They didn't even know if the dog was alive. It wasn't, but if it had survived who would have paid for its quarantine?

Neal Townsend
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Isle drivers guilty until proven otherwise

I have always believed that a defendant in a court of law enjoys the presumption of innocence. Now comes Deputy City Prosecutor Renee Sonobe Hong, who believes that the law allows the state to "infer" a rational connection between the driver and the registered owner. In other words, you are guilty until proven innocent. When did that change?

Or is this another one of those "only in Hawaii" things? Perhaps Hong is confused. Perhaps this particular law purports to allow that inference, but "the law," as in "The Law of the Land" still does not. Perhaps Hong will realize this when her cases are all thrown out of court and this law is revealed for what it is: illegal, unconstitutional and an insult to the people.

Jack Schmidt
Kailua

Slower isn't safer -- it's more dangerous

Michael Nomura's letter in the April 8 Star-Bulletin ("Speeding isn't worth the grief it can cause") overlooked the fact that smooth traffic flow is the major contributor to vehicle safety. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the safest speeds are those within 5 percent of the 85th percentile. Slower vehicles have more accidents, a situation made worse by slow drivers hogging the passing lane, forcing drivers to pass in the right-hand lanes.

Yes, common sense should prevail. The state of Hawaii must use common sense to make safety its highest priority by raising speed limits as recommended by the NHTSA; establishing mandatory driver education during renewal of drivers licenses; and eliminating the second-most serious safety hazard on Hawaii roadways -- traffic cameras.

Negligence on the part of the state government and the Department of Transportation, by not establishing safe highway speed limits, resulted in the safest group of drivers "speeding" 5-20 mph over the posted 55 mph limit being extorted by a mainland contractor to generate money for them and the state.

If Hawaii speed limits are revised upward to more reasonable levels -- say to 65 mph on divided highways -- accidents will decrease, speeding citations will plummet and mercenary ticket companies will have less incentive to peddle their wares here.

Let's all remember that getting there safely will save more lives.

Ed Aber-Song
Aiea

Beach events attract residents, too

Darci Evans' letter complaining about the Brunch/Sunset on the Beach events ("Waikiki beach events are bad for business," Star-Bulletin, March 27) purports to represent the views of all members of the Hawaii Activities and Tour Association. This is not the case. While it is true that these events may inconvenience some passengers, the same can be said about block parties, parades, and a number of other events that take place in Waikiki. That certainly does not mean that these events are bad.

The state, the city and the visitor industry have been trying for decades to create events that will encourage residents to enjoy Waikiki and to mingle with visitors. Now that we have finally succeeded to a degree, Evans would have these events stopped. Her assertion that they "damage the visitor experience" is off the mark, judging from my own experiences at these events. Everyone who attends seems to enjoy them very much.

Perhaps better notification and spacing of the events would serve everyone well, but to do away with these events because a couple of companies are inconvenienced would be terribly short-sighted and a detriment to our collective efforts to make Waikiki an enjoyable destination for everyone.

Michael Carr
President
Polynesian Adventure Tours

Enjoy clean roadsides -- pass the bottle bill

I lived in Michigan for many years before moving to Hawaii. Michigan was one of the first states to adopt a bottle bill and charge a refundable deposit for plastic, metal and glass drink containers. As a result of the bill you virtually never see a discarded bottle or can along the side of a road, or anywhere else, for that matter. If a bottle or can is discarded, it is quickly picked up by someone else, who turns it in for the deposit.

Let's keep Hawaii paradise and reduce litter and landfills by supporting the bottle bill.

Tom Brayton
Lahaina, Maui

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