E bus serves important need
As a regular bus rider, I am not happy with the proposed changes of the Route E bus ("Changes afoot to TheBus routes ‘not a done deal,’" Star-Advertiser, April 20).
The E bus is the only bus that gives Waipahu and Ewa residents a chance to get to Waikiki and Ala Moana in a reasonable amount of time.
The No. 42 is often really crowded, even with the E. Changing this will only clog the buses even more.
I understand the need to change routes, but please do not take away the E bus.
Nalini Blumer-Buell
Waipahu
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Haleiwa market is in best location
Close the road, not the Haleiwa Farmers Market!
Why is it not a viable solution to allow a dead-end, unusable road to be closed every Sunday the same way roads are closed for parades, block parties and other events held on roads?
The current site is centralized and located on the outer skirts of Haleiwa Town, allowing more shoppers to patronize merchants in nearby Haleiwa Town, yet keeps the excess traffic out.
How can the church or courthouse be a more viable solution when it forces shoppers to walk alongside moving vehicles in a town with no sidewalks?
Moving the farmers market from its central location to a spot well beyond the town’s outer limits, such as Sunset Beach Elementary School or the Waialua Sugar Mill, would take business away from the town’s center of commerce and divide the community. It would also hurt the small farmers markets in those areas.
Close the road to keep the community together.
Jeanne Vana
North Shore Farms, Big Wave Tomatoes, Waialua
Bill needed for animal protection
Thanks to the Star-Advertiser for printing Inga Gibson’s commentary regarding the need for pet protection ("Hawaii should join states that have rules for large-scale dog breeders," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, April 25).
To clarify, HB 108 would not have allowed inspections of an individual dog owner’s home without a warrant. The standards would only apply to large-scale breeders, those with 11 or more intact dogs.
If we had the enhanced welfare provisions in HB 108, the Hawaiian Humane Society would have had earlier access to the Waimanalo mill, and prevented the unnecessary suffering of those animals.
Responsible breeders who truly care about their dogs and the people who buy from them should support these minimal standards of care. Most people do not like any form of regulation, yet we need accountability to protect the public, and not just the individual who wants to do as he/she pleases.
Let’s get our facts right: The HHS and The Humane Society of the United States have long advocated for animal welfare and promoting the human-animal bond.
Ginny Tiu
Hawaii Loa Ridge
HB 108 proposed unrealistic rules
House Bill 108 failed to address how puppy mills come into existence; how they manage to remain in operation despite violations of state and county laws; and how their operators evade financial and criminal sanctions. As a result, it did not provide certain and severe sanctions for puppy mill operators.
HB 108 would have reduced the supply of healthy pure-bred puppies. Using a 10-dog head count, HB 108 threw out a large hukilau net, threatening responsible breeders. Nothing prevents future legislation reducing 10 dogs to eight, to six, etc. In Nebraska, the count is four.
HB 108 would have imposed purposefully unrealistic dog facility standards so that anyone who comes under scrutiny can be shut down. Inga Gibson has said publicly not to worry because the law would be enforced "selectively." What kind of justice is that?
We all want to stop puppy mill operators. Let’s do it using our heads as well as our hearts.
Michiro Iwanaga
President, Hawaii Companion Animal Coalition