Tap the rail fund to tackle deficit

So far, the state is facing a $1.2 billion shortfall through June of next year, but that deficit could increase because taxes flowing to the government have fallen short of expectations.

Government is already talking about more layoffs, and the Legislature is talking raising taxes again. Meanwhile, Mufi Hannemann continues with this charade some of us call rail and others refer to as Mufi-asco. Even though the mayor is expected to step down by the July deadline to run for governor, he stubbornly continues his arrogant stance of trying to jam rail down the people's throats, paying for polls and advertising for rail with anti-railers' hard-earned tax dollars. Has anyone had enough of these political games? When you're single, have a good job, have no family and are still barely able to get by, well, this may be an indication that something is wrong with the way our government is running things.

The rail fund needs to be raided before this state gets itself into a hole it cannot get out of, a hole that is continually getting deeper with each passing month.

People are suffering, families are struggling. The Legislature needs to do what it should have done long ago, when these problems first started to become serious: raid the rail fund.

Public needs to learn about sharks' plight

Thank you for printing such an informative editorial, “;Impose shark fin ban”; (Star-Bulletin, March 11). It is ignorant to think that the harvesting of shark fins is not taking a toll on shark populations. As a lifelong diver I am all too aware of the decline in populations over the years. I have spent a lot of time volunteering with marine biologists and I have yet to meet one who is not worried about the toll the slaughter of sharks for their fins is taking. Legislation has been put in place to protect dolphins, whales and seals — and people are outraged by the slaughter of these marine mammals, as they should be. Now is the time for the public to be educated to the plight of the shark.

Let's shine a light on light pollution

(Editor's note: The following two letters were among a batch submitted by Punahou School eighth-graders regarding light pollution as part of a Project Citizen class project.)

IT HURTS THE ENVIRONMENT

In past years, there has been a problem growing, not only in Hawaii, but around the world.

Light pollution has been drastically affecting our environment. Every year, thousands of seabirds and fish are killed when they are attracted to bright lights and swim or fly to their death. Due to the number of native species of birds in this state, we cannot afford to have careless lighting. Also, light pollution decreases the visibility of stars in the night sky, something that not only detracts from Hawaii's beauty, but also limits the world-famous telescopes on Mauna Kea and Haleakala. Already, laws limiting light pollution around these telescopes are in place, but this is not enough. The entire state must be protected so we can preserve our land, environment and culture for future generations.

The Legislature needs to pass House Bill 209 to protect our precious environment from the growing effects of light pollution.

BRING BACK THE NIGHT SKY

Our Project Citizen topic is light pollution. I am writing regarding HB 209, which requires the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, assisted by a temporary advisory committee, to develop a statewide starlight reserve strategy and an intelligent statewide lighting law in order to preserve the night sky and its cultural, scientific, astronomical, natural and landscape-related values.

Our class thinks this bill should become a law because of the effects of light pollution. It kills many birds, fishes and turtles every year and makes it harder for telescopes to find stars. It can interfere with observatories and stargazing. Oahu is the island with the most light pollution in Hawaii, and the glow from Oahu can be seen on the Big Island.

Light pollution is a new topic, but it is quickly becoming an issue that could progress to something worse.