Human element made Superferry special

Last month while vacationing in Honolulu, I spent a day riding the Superferry. It was a delightful six hours round trip. There were whales too numerous to mention and the sheer beauty of your state in full display.

I understand the conflict and end result of shutting down this service, and hope that you do not forget the consequence of this political fight on the employees of that business. Without exception, I experienced a dedicated staff, eager to please and make me feel welcome to their world. From the dock worker who escorted us to the boarding ramp, laughing and “;talking story,”; to the purser who helped arrange my return, to the cabin staff in both the main and forward cabins who exhibited a genuine pleasure for the service they provided me.

I pray that these dedicated individuals survive this unfortunate political tug-of-war. The conflict of politics has consequences for individuals and families. Please do not forget them.

Cult-based treatment isn't the answer

Normally, we would support a legislator's initiative to propose drug treatment over incarceration. Unfortunately we cannot support Rep. Rida Cabanilla's proposed House Bill 358 (Star-Bulletin, March 20) as it is terribly misguided. She says this bill is based on the “;nationally recognized Second Chance program of New Mexico.”; In fact, this program is based on the principles of Scientology and has not been proven to be effective. The basic principles themselves are controversial and not science-based. If legislators are going to propose treatment programs, it behooves them to do some research and ensure that taxpayer money is used for effective, evidence-based programs. There are many of them.

We agree with Cabanilla that incarceration is expensive, ineffective and leads to high rates of recidivism. We hope she will instead vote for proposals which would add drug treatment beds to our prisons, increase community-based programs for nonviolent drug offenders and establish re-entry programs. One such bill is SB 540 SD2 HD1 which adds beds at Oahu Community Correctional Center for the second part, the re-entry portion of the Residential Drug Abuse Program currently being used in Hawaii facilities.

Are you looking for the owner of that dog?

Anyone know the owner of a white pit bull last seen at Kaneohe's Benjamin Parker Elementary School around 3:30 p.m. on March 23? As I walked my (leashed) little fuzzy mutt along the sidewalk, the (unleashed) pit bull made her way through the school's playground fence and attacked my dog, fracturing three of his ribs and puncturing a lung. I'd like to talk to the pit bull's owner about my $857 vet bill.

The pit bull's owner was a younger lady in her 20s or 30s. She had a black lab-type dog with her pit bull. The lady drove a white compact SUV.

Forgive me for not being able to provide a more detailed description, but I was concentrating on my dog's injuries and the lady left immediately with her dogs without leaving a name and telephone number. I'm sure she was just distraught over the incident and is seeking to contact me. She can contact me through the office at Benjamin Parker school or the Kaneohe Police Station.

UH doesn't give Asian Collection its due

The University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization estimates that the UH system contributed almost $1.3 billion to the local economy in 2007, according to Craig Gima's informative article “;UH-Manoa does its share”; (Star-Bulletin, March 13). And if quotes from the UH vice chancellor for administration in that article are taken at face value, the Manoa campus leadership is of two minds about how to use the UHERO report. If that's the case, it's unfortunate.

For example, the backbone to Asian studies teaching and research at UH-Manoa includes Hamilton Library's locally and internationally valued Asia Collection. UH administrators should be the first to demonstrate its appreciation of this asset. Yet a current authoritative proposal to disperse the responsibilities of professional librarians on the Asia Collection staff threatens to undermine the value of this asset for teaching and research across the Manoa campus.

Why would UH administrators hesitate to be the first to promote the value of the Asia Collection in Hamilton Library?

It's up to bar patrons to monitor their intake

I have to vehemently oppose the spirit of the “;dram”; law (”;Tavern faces inquiry after fatal H-1 crash,”; Star-Bulletin, March 22). Adults are to supervise their own liquor intake and make mature decisions accordingly. To make business owners babysit the clientele is ludicrous. Two weeks ago, I waited for three hours for a late-night bus. Lots of cabs, but not one bus from 2-5 a.m. But that was my responsibility, I didn't return to the bar crying for a ride home.