(de)Occupy group desecrating aina

I would like to express my continual outrage at the (de)Occupy Honolulu movement, which continues to flaunt its “rights” and frustrate the police at Thomas Square (“Homelessness, native issues top meeting on Thomas Square,” Star-Advertiser, May 14).

The people of Honolulu and its government need to stand up to those campers who continue to destroy our public rights to safety, access, cleanliness and visual beauty. Where is the recognition of “rights” for the general public?

If they have a political ax to grind, take the issue up to the Legislature or the governor. If they are homeless, get to a shelter. I suspect most of them are not even kama-aina. They are desecrating our aina.

Paul Mizue
Aiea

Civil unions not same as marriage

Recently I sat in an apartment in Brooklyn, N.Y., working on the details for our wedding to be held tomorrow.

Having had a civil union in September 2012, we were struck by the inequality of civil union versus marriage. I did not fully internalize the difference until we got the certificate that said you are “civil unionized” and in a separate class from others in the Aloha State who can enjoy marriage as their life commitment.

Even though Hawaii led the struggle for marriage equality in 1990s, it remains a dream for Hawaii’s gay and lesbian citizens. As a result, we are ordering our cake and arranging for our catering, chairs, flowers and sundry other items here in New York state, which will give us a marriage license.

Our heart is in our home state, and we pray that one day soon Hawaii will join the tide of equality for all its citizens and allow our marriage in the aina we love.

Doran and Kali Porter
Kaneohe

ACLU is hurting its credibility

What is going on with the American Civil Liberties Union?

An organization created to defend the rights of Americans as outlined in the Constitution is now in the screenwriting business? Petitioning the producers of “Modern Family” to have an episode wherein a same-sex couple gets married should not be on the agenda of the ACLU and, frankly, in my view, will result in a loss of credibility for this once-noble organization.

Using this same logic, it would be reasonable to assume that the ACLU could have, back in the 1970s, petitioned Norman Lear, early on in the run of “All in the Family,” to write episodes wherein Archie Bunker saw the light and no longer was the unaware bigot that Carroll O’Conner so cleverly portrayed. This would have effectively killed the show.

No, ACLU, please stay out of the television screenwriting business. It’s bad enough without your fanatical input.

Jim Howard
Manoa

Let’s care forall living beings

Kudos to Cassandra Aoki for her letter regarding the feeding of feral animals (“Feral animals need food, too,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, May 8). I, too, am an animal advocate, especially for those who are homeless and face the hardship of merely existing. Who are we to condemn and punish them with our “no feed” rules?

Aoki stated that she will continue to feed the feral animals she encounters. So will I! It is not our intent to disregard or break the rules, but compassion for all living beings compels us to do what we feel is right. If a fine is to be imposed, so be it!

I come from an era where neighbors were friends and allies, not adversaries. Wouldn’t it be a better and greater world if we all cared for each other with respect, kindness and love? And this includes all living beings.

Kikue Carras
Makiki

UH-Hilo treated as second-class

It ticks me off to read this headline, “UH regents vote to clear $13M debt for athletics” (Star-Advertiser, May 17) when they haven’t got a dime for a pharmacy building in Hilo.

Regents really have their priorities upside down.

Oh, right, it’s because it’s not on Oahu.

Alan Rudo
Keaau, Hawaii island