Hawaii treated Deedy unfairly

I heartily agree with defense attorney Thomas Otake — enough is enough ("Deedy not guilty of murder," Star-Advertiser, Aug. 15).

Agent Christopher Deedy has been treated totally unfairly, without any aloha and wrongly persecuted by the state of Hawaii.

During the days subsequent to this unfortunate incident, it was the outcry of the usual emotionally charged and uninformed people that as much as forced charges being brought against Deedy.

I applaud both juries for seeing the truth behind the smoke-screen and basing their decisions on the facts.

And shame on the judge for adding lesser-offense charges that weren’t even asked for. It’s obvious even she realized the evidence wasn’t there to convict Deedy of murder in any degree. This was a clear case of self-defense.

I apologize profusely to Deedy for the wretched way he has been treated. It is my hope that he can put this all behind him and that the prosecutor will come to his senses and drop this altogether.

Patti Adolphson
Wahiawa

Add drop-off site in town for trash

Urban Honolulu probably has the highest concentration of people on Oahu, but it has no place to throw away excess rubbish except once a month.

Waimanalo, Kailua, Laie, Wahiawa, Waipahu and Nanakuli have places to drive up and throw excess rubbish away. Why don’t we have some place in Honolulu to do this?

Then maybe you won’t see rubbish piling up on the sidewalks. Also, maybe the bulk rubbish will be smaller when it does get picked up.

Ernie K. Itoga
Waialae Iki

Sustainability is a nuanced issue

The articles in Sunday’s paper ("Sustainability: A delicate land-use balance," Star-Advertiser, Insight, Aug. 17) expanded a critical conversation that needs more attention in Hawaii.

The interconnections between agriculture and development are crucial to Hawaii’s future.

Unfortunately, a lot of the commentary continues an existing polarity, portraying too much as either black or white. There are other nuances that need exploration and layers of information that need exposure.

The need for more local food production is obvious. However, mega-dairies that will pollute our sources of water and mega-farms (GMO types) that will deplete the nutrients in the soil aren’t appropriate solutions. Also, "local" doesn’t necessitate "organic."

Likewise, supporting the tourist industry and meeting affordable housing needs are very important. However, it’s time to place restrictions on development that will endanger our islands’ limited natural resources and it’s time to stop all financial speculation affiliated with housing.

John Heidel
Kailua

Highway wall looks unfinished

Driving on H-1 eastbound between Kalihi and Kinau streets, the new lanes of traffic work wonderfully. Congratulations to the state and the contractor for a job well done.

However, if you drive during the afternoon peak hours and are in the left lane near Palama Settlement, the area where the existing wall meets the extended wall is a disaster. There are gaps between the joint, the extended wall overhangs the existing wall, and there are areas where it looks jagged. Before and after this area, the wall is beautifully finished.

What happened to this one ugly area? Before the state releases the contractor from all its responsibilities for this job, I hope this section is finished to match the quality of the rest of the wall.

The state and the contractor need to be proud of the finished product that they present to the rest of the state, and indeed to any and all tourists driving by.

Cynthia Endo
Kuliouou

Lawsuit raised cost of rail

Send the bill for any cost overrun for rail transit to Ben Cayetano, Cliff Slater and their pals ("Honolulu rail station bids come in millions above budget," Star-Advertiser, Aug. 14).

Their lawsuit, which failed to stop the project, succeeded in stalling it while real estate prices soared. They are probably celebrating now, while the taxpayers will be stuck with the overrun.

Congratulations!

Carl H. Zimmerman
Salt Lake

Turn stadium into transit hub

With the latest report of substantial cost overruns in rail contract bids, there is a clear confirmation that our rail project is a developing fiasco.

We do have a major traffic problem that needs to be addressed. Here is a way to ease the traffic problem and save the rail concept.

Continue with the rail project and add feeder lines to mauka communities such as Mililani and Wahiawa. Terminate all elevated lines at the stadium and convert the stadium property into a major hub consisting of a central bus station and a drive-and-ride facility.

Offer express bus service to such main destinations as the University of Hawaii, Downtown, Waikiki, Sand Island and the airport. Offer express bus services to similar locations on the Windward side, using H-3.

This will save Honolulu from being ripped apart by the condemnation of properties and the subsequent erection of an elevated monster through the center of our business community.

Bob Stengle
Aina Haina

Elections office failed to do job

"We just do our job," says Scott Nago, the state’s chief elections officer. Not.

Eight hundred uncounted Maui votes, their discovery held back for days and then a cavalier announcement bundled with a hasty Puna vote? The elections office had 21 days to do the job and determine the best way for Puna voters to cast their ballots. That might have required some creative thinking and research.

All this on the heels of the appalling ballot shortage two years ago? "We just do our job, that’s all." Not.

Part of the job is reinstating confidence and earning the voters’ trust that their votes are handled with competence and respect. I’d say Nago and the elections office have failed badly.

Rike Weiss
Niu Valley

Don’t pay to see circus animals

Aug. 20 marks the 20th anniversary of one of the most tragic events ever to happen in Honolulu.

You don’t have to be an animal activist or animal lover to shed tears after viewing footage from this heartbreaking day in Kakaako. Tyke the African elephant died in undeniable pain, her eyes reflecting loneliness and despair. She was finally free from the misery and bondage of cruel circus life.

When not performing, elephants are confined in tiny boxcars for weeks at a time, their legs shackled in chains. Their heads and trunks sway back and forth indicating boredom, their spirit broken. Out of intense fear, they are forced to perform silly tricks or face being beaten with sharp bullhooks.

Let’s honor Tyke’s memory by not attending circuses that use wild and exotic animals, but patronize animal-free circuses like Cirque du Soleil.

Naomi Egami
Palolo