Editorial on deer was appreciated

I was so touched by your editorial acknowledging the problem posed by the deer and then recommending humane methods to deal with it — methods fitting for the paradise that is Hawaii.

If every state had a newspaper with editorial writers who thought like that we would all be a little closer to paradise.

Karen Dawn
Pacific Palisades, Calif.

DLNR ignoring public on deer

Thank you so much for your wonderful editorial ("Deal humanely with axis deer," Star-Advertiser, June 6), in which you call for solving the problem of the many unwanted axis deer on the Big Island and Maui by using contraceptive darts, a method of animal control that is not harmful to the animals, but which is a proven successful way of diminishing unwanted animals.

Why can’t this same safe and humane method be used to control other animal populations like feral pigs?

Unfortunately, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources has not been at all receptive to repeated calls for meetings with community groups that want to propose nonlethal solutions to animal-control issues.

I only hope that the new DLNR staff under Bill Aila will consider the pleas of numerous community individuals and groups such as Animal Rights Hawaii for dialogue on this issue.

Renee H. Furuyama
Honolulu

Vote on rail was not democratic

I disagree with Rocky L. Reid and applaud those bringing attention to the undemocratic process underlying the rail project ("Rail critics disrespect democratic process," Star-Advertiser, Letters, June 5).

A true democracy depends on people being well-informed and having all options heard and evaluated fairly.

The democratic process failed when the city administration deliberately decided to omit more affordable alternatives that would have reduced traffic congestion far more significantly than rail — alternatives that would also have greatly minimized negative impacts on our environment.

These alternatives were dismissed, ignoring the right of all to be heard.

Voters never had a true choice. They were presented only with the steel-wheel-on-steel-rail option that omitted the word "elevated" from the ballot question.

In reality, nobody voted for elevated rail. Rail 50 feet in the air, marring our views, and 240-foot-wide train platforms accessible by elevators were not part of the question’s imagery.

Ursula Retherford
Kailua

Catholic Church still covering up

Thank you for printing Maureen Dowd’s commentary on pedophilia in the Catholic Church and the one Irish archbishop who appears to be conscious ("‘It can happen again’," Star-Advertiser, June 7).

I think the title should read: "It is still happening and never stopped." This is a more truthful statement.

One only has to read the articles daily on the bishop accountability blog site www.bishop-accountability.org to see that even this year priests are taking pornographic photos of children and molesting children, and their bishops and cardinals and pope are still covering up.

Christine Johnson
Makaha

Rochan Pinho is an inspiration

It was so inspiring when I read about Rochan Pinho in Dave Shapiro’s column ("Boy who aided 9/11 victims reflects on fate of bin Laden," Star-Advertiser, Volcanic Ash, June 8).

How often we think only of our own health and problems and not of those so much worse than ours.

It is only fitting that Rochan is now doing well and living a full life. It is not too late to look at our own lives and how much better we can help others and thus help ourselves.

Roy M. Chee
Honolulu

Medicare reform best to do now

U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan’s plan to reform Medicare would not affect Joe Zuiker or anyone currently enrolled in Medicare, or anyone 55 years or older ("GOP guessed wrong on seniors’ reaction," Star-Advertiser, Letters, June 4).

Ryan’s proposal would affect anyone 54 years or younger: They would be given a voucher to purchase health insurance from numerous health care providers.

Medicare as it exists today will be bankrupt by 2024. Reform is needed now — or do we wait till 2024 when reality hits? At least the GOP has a plan today; the Democrats have none to date, except if you consider the $500 billion savings in the health care reform act, which will be used to fund new entitlements that the act provides.

I am currently enrolled in Medicare and support reform. Everyone needs to do their part to get the nation’s fiscal house in order.

Tom Fragas
Kailua