Memorial Day being diluted

While I applaud the Shinnyo-en Hawaii Buddhist Temple and its organizers for a very noble and soul-cleansing ceremony each year, I take issue with it being held on Memorial Day.

We as a nation set aside only one day each year to honor and mourn the deaths of our troops who have been killed in defense of our nation. It seems to me that holding any other event or observance is a further affront to the intent of a national day of mourning.

I mean, look at the way Wall Street has already turned Memorial Day into a sales event. Even the military exchanges have fallen victim to this greed, advertising huge sales on all the bases.

Can’t we just leave this one day alone and hold the lantern float on the day before or day after?

Robert W. Holub
Ewa Beach

Rail supporters better ride it

"City’s poll finds majority favors rail" — what a surprise (Star-Advertiser, June 2).

People are frustrated in traffic and want any solution.

Those in favor of rail need to be asked if they will be getting out of their cars and using the rail. I suspect these people want everyone else to use the train so their drives will be faster.

It will not help the traffic problem if the only ones riding the train are present bus riders.

Clark Himeda
Kaimuki

Prisoners lucky for free meals

Prisons are monitored by federal, state and city and county agencies to ensure that prisoners are served balanced and nutritious meals.

During a time when many hard-working, tax-paying families are having trouble maintaining a household and providing balanced and nutritious meals for their families, it ill-behooves the incarcerated to complain that they are unable to maintain their overweight and obese lifestyles while enjoying a roof over their heads and three square meals a days — in addition to free cable, gyms, fitness equipment and other amenities unavailable to the tax-paying public.

Auwe.

Thomas "T.J." Davies Jr.
Honolulu

Humane Society a good charity

Known for its compassionate volunteers and friendly staff, the Hawaiian Humane Society has an aura of exactly what you would want from a humane society.

Founded in 1897, it is the second oldest charity on Oahu. It is the only establishment on island that rescues, shelters and encourages adoption with all animals.

Thousands of animals in Hawaii are abandoned and abused each year. In fact, Hawaii is one of the five worst states in the nation for animal abuse. Due to more abandonment, the humane society is at its capacity at the facility.

To adopt a cat or dog, it costs only $65, which includes temperament screening, spay/neuter surgery, health exam, vaccinations, microchip, leash or carrier and post-adoption help, among other things. For adoptees 65 years and older, adopting a pet aged 6 and older is free.

Kimberly Racine
Honolulu

Let’s bring back service stations

In their TV ads, the oil and gas conglomerates note that they are providing engineers, technicians and scientists to help the industry. I challenge them to revive the days when "gas stations" were called "service stations."

At these stations, smiling attendants dispensed oil and gas, attended to tires and windows, and shared community news, such as who died, who got married, who was sick, even sports schedules of barefoot football games.

Service stations were the info centers of the community. For many of us, service stations provided us our first lessons in serving with our hands and our hearts.

Domingo Los Baños
Waipahu

Keep debate over Laie civil

Envision Laie grows increasingly controversial. There is much contention on both sides. As a Mormon and a “Keep the Country Country” supporter, I am saddened by the discourse.

Mormons are portrayed as a cult for financial gain; Keep the Country Country supporters are portrayed as xenophobes and NIMBYists.

Ultimately, I feel the burden rests on Envision Laie for changing the status quo. I can only hope that compromise, or moderation, for environmental and societal requirements will be found.

Civility and respect is otherwise key.

Matthew Cabamongan
Haleiwa