Kaena Point fence is long overdue

The Kaena Point predator-proof fence is a small, first attempt in the U.S. at duplicating the successes of New Zealand.

In Aotearoa, the Maori people have embraced similar fences to restore native ecosystems. The positive cultural and conservation aspects are seen as cutting-edge models by other indigenous cultures.

To say the process for the Kaena fence has been rushed is completely untrue. In fact, it has been delayed two years to ensure that all comments have been heard. Had this project been implemented two years ago, we could be seeing remarkable results now. Native Hawaiians and residents, including our kids, could already be experiencing a near pristine coastal environment that is unlike anything left in the main islands.

There will be no change to public access because of this fence. Federal, not state, money is being used. Too much of Hawaii’s indigenous culture and environment has been lost or is at risk. Please give this project the opportunity to succeed.

Symphony needs creative thinking

Your Dec. 15 editorial was right on the mark ("This town needs symphony," Star-Advertiser).

As a former member of the Honolulu Symphony board and Honolulu Symphonic Chorale, I remember that the burning issue 20-plus years ago was money.

We moved to the mainland for a time, where I sat on the board of the Bremerton (Wash.) Symphony Association and sang in the symphonic chorale.

The difference between the Honolulu and Bremerton organizations was that the Bremerton orchestra was all volunteer. And it was very good, truly. I had conversations with Donald Johanos when he was Honolulu’s music director/conductor, where he discussed reducing the orchestra to a 40-member chamber ensemble.

Just wanted to pass these thoughts along, as yes, this town needs a symphony.

Where will gov put prisoners?

The impression I got about prisoners being sent to the mainland was that it was due to overcrowding.

Now Gov. Neil Abercrombie is certainly off to a flying start, announcing that we are going to bring them all back where they can enjoy being closer to their loved ones.

My question is: Where’s he going to put them—in the convention center or the concert hall?

UH no longer a sports doormat

Congratulations to University of Hawaii sports for entering the Mountain West Conference and the Big West Conference. The journey—a long, crooked path with seemingly no light at the end of the tunnel—is finally done.

A great "mahalo" to all of those individuals who worked so hard behind the scenes in doing the right thing and remaining positive in those difficult times.

As a strong supporter of the program, I was concerned about UH sports becoming the doormat of the other conferences. This has changed.

Maybe there is a price to pay when you live in paradise. Let us continue to support the University of Hawaii athletics program.

GOP to blame for mess we’re in

It’s amazing how Americans just went full circle in our dismal economy, expecting "change" to occur by President Barack Obama in a mere two years in our current economic state that was eight years in the making.

Just as Gov. Linda Lingle had to compromise with a Democratic-biased Hawaii, having her initiatives vetoed left and right, Obama must now do the same in a Republican-heavy, but not necessarily dominant, Congress. Thus, for Obama’s approval ratings to fall is understandable.

Both have to meet halfway with an opposing party over issues average citizens would not want to deal with themselves.

Now, the bipartisan tug of war became just that—an internal war of politics—and every American will reap the outcome. Well, we deserve what we sow because we changed our quest for change and are now back at square one with a Republican-influenced Congress that, again, put us in this situation in the first place.