Closing the door on Inouye era

Today marks the end of an era.In December, we mourned the loss of Sen. Daniel Inouye, Hawaii’s champion and our grandest statesman.But as his Honolulu office quietly shuts its doors for the last time, it is a renewed reminder of the depth of that loss. To the senator, his staff was his family, and their loyalty was just as strong. They remained by his side for decades, collectively accumulating a depth of legislative and political knowledge that was unmatched.

As someone who spent but a brief time there in that 7th floor office, as a staff member and later a constituent, I wish to thank them all for their professionalism, compassion, dedication and friendship. Sen. Inouye’s legacy is a testament to all his staff who made his dreams and visions a reality. They, too, will truly be missed.

Noelle M.K.Y. Kahanu
Puunui

Lottery money could fix roads

Everyone hates potholes and inadequate roads. Many good suggestions have come forth, but the underlying problem seems to be how to finance them.

One way that has worked for years in another state, Arizona, is to derive funding from the sale of lottery tickets. In fiscal 2012, $11 millionwas allocated to mass transit alone. Other agencies also benefited in like amounts: $10 million going to University Capital Bonds, and more than $100 million going directly to the state general fund.

Such a revenue source helps greatly to repave roads with rubberized asphalt made from recycled tires. Instead of burdening all taxpayerswith the expense of transportation resources, whether they use such or not, the cost is partially borne by choice. It has been a successful solution now for 31 years.

Arthur Ratcliffe
Haleiwa

Marriage rights belong to all

Regarding Cheryle O’Brien’s letter on same-sex marriage ("Same-sex marriage debate is complex," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Feb. 11): It’s quite the contrary. The issue of same-sex marriage is quite simple: It is a matter of equal civil rights for all citizens of this state. The Constitution of our country wisely protects minorities from the tyranny of majorities who wish to impose their value on all people. Our forefathers were wise in their wording of the Constitution that grants equal rights for all citizens.

If our state is willing to legitimize our gay and lesbian families, it will strengthen all families. If you acknowledge and support our love for one another, you will see a more peaceful and loving world.

I challenge O’Brien to explain how same-sex marriage "will undoubtedly affect us all." Passage of same-sex marriage is not a question of morality, but one of equal civil rights. To interpret it otherwise is a mistake in the extreme, and a dangerous blur between state and church.

Shay Bintliff
Kamuela, Hawaii island

Feral cats have no place in isles

I read with some interest a story that appeared in The Washington Post detailing the negative environmental effects of cats.Specifically, the story cites evidence published in the journal Nature indicating that feral cats kill between 1.4 billion to 3.7 billion birds each year — that works out to 23 to 46 bird kills per year, per cat.

Feral cats are not endemic to Hawaii.They are not part of the traditional ecosystem and serve no purpose in preserving Hawaii’s delicate environment.Cats belong in homes where they are cared for and controlled by their owners, not released into the environment and supported as if they were valued contributors to our island environment. Feral cats are more than a nuisance, they are destructive to the environment.

It is time that we rethink the support enjoyed by feral cat supporters and begin the process of actively eliminating feral cat populations. Let’s do this before Hawaii’s environment and our sensitive endemic bird population are irreversibly damaged.

Toby L. Clairmont
Mililani

Don’t cry over loss of fed funds

Local politicians, led by U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono and including U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa and Gov. Neil Abercrombie, are now crying. They are afraid that federal funding will be cut.

All of these people were involved in state government for a period of time and did nothing to pass laws and create conditions to promote the forming of private businesses in this state. They all depended on federal funding. The chickens are now coming home to roost.

This situation is of their doing. They will blame somebody else, rather than look for a solution, like making this state more business-friendly.

Bob Dukat
Pahoa, Hawaii island