‘Invasive species’ often misrepresented

It is frustrating having to clarify endlessly this misrepresentation of the widely accepted biological concept "invasive species" ("All species here are ‘invasive species,’" Star-Advertiser, Letters, March 24). 

"Non-native" species arrive somewhere only associated with human activities, in contrast to those that arrive on their own accord like Hawaii’s "native" species.

 Invasive species are a subset of non-native species that have become widely established, causing significant problems for humans and the natural environment, and not just any species that arrive from somewhere else.

As the only species with the power to destroy the world, yet also to maintain its spectacular diversity, we are obligated to look after other species lacking such power. 

We are not just another species going about its business in the greater biological maelstrom, not just another "invasive species" in Hawaii. 

Such an argument gives carte blanche to those who care not about biodiversity and is an abdication of responsibility — indeed of morality. In our power, we are qualitatively different from all other organisms.

Robert H. Cowie
Pacific Biosciences Research Center, University of Hawaii

Remove parking stalls  along cycle track

So, here is my lowdown on the King Street Cycle Track as a bike rider:  

There is definitely a sense of luxury when riding in the lane, but one less lane definitely wreaks havoc with vehicle traffic at all times of the day, particularly during rush hour.  

For the several riders that I have seen using the lane (even counting those riding the wrong way), it’s chasing a dime for a dollar.  

Also, being stuck on the left side of King with increased traffic density makes it more hazardous getting across to the right side when I need to turn right (did anyone ever think about this?).

Instead of creating yet another traffic impediment with low return (can you say rail?), think about moving the track to Young Street, where it would make way more sense and unburden heavily used King Street.  

But, if the city remains adamant as expected, then at least remove the parking entirely along the track for the remaining 2.8 years of the project.

James K. Heflin
Moiliili

Proposal to privatize Medicare is big story

The headline, "More packing up and leaving Oahu" (Star-Advertiser, March 26) was an eye-catcher.

The big question is why was this misleading piece deserving of the front page, when "House OKs budget that privatizes Medicare," a huge story, is on page A4, below the fold? 

Why is this legislation "aspirational" rather than binding, as are numerous administrative rules that are bureaucratic in origin and never reach the floor of Congress, yet are enforceable laws?

Phil Broms
Niu Valley

Have more empathy for the homeless  

On Wednesday, the Star-Advertiser’s lead editorial brought timely focus to one of the most trying difficulties of our community: homelessness ("Transitional shelters needed soon," Star-Advertiser, Our View, March 25).

More of our society’s resources must be devoted to address the taxing inadequacy of our allocation of living essentials. Some are very unsympathetic to the members of our community who for various reasons — some condoneable; some not —  have mounted tent encampments along assorted fences, canals and sidewalks. To be so unfeeling is unacceptable here. 

In our civilization, pretty much all moral and ethical establishments teach the same standard for living a good life: Be unselfish.

I do not claim to be a saint, but when I help out others in need, my reward is that I have improved my little portion of Oahu.   

Stuart N. Taba
Manoa Valley

Plastic-bag ban based on unwarranted fears

Jan Adam says it was easy for her to get used to using reusable bags ("It’s easy to get used to reusable bags," Star-Advertiser, Letters, March 26).

Why should we? 

The City Council passed a stupid and ill-conceived law based on unsubstantiated environmental fears. 

Here is another plan:

Collect all the plastic bags you can from merchants and use them when shopping until they wear out.

Then buy more bags online and use them. 

The bags can be purchased for very little, and if you form a co-op, you can buy in bulk.

Defy the stupid law.

Otto Cleveland
Pearl City 

FROM THE FORUM

Readers of the Star-Advertiser’s online edition can respond to stories posted there. The following are some of those. Instead of names, pseudonyms are generally used online. They have been removed.

“More grads are bound for college,” Star-Advertiser, March 23:

>> This is great news. More students are going to college and fewer of them need remedial courses at the University of Hawaii. Teachers and principals should be applauded.

>> Teachers and administrators in both public and independent schools work extremely hard for their students’ success. The reward is in seeing those students become successful, educated, and contributing citizens.

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“Raceway measure rolls on to Senate,” Star-Advertiser, March 23:

>> The state government has no business supporting this kind of pipe dream. If commercial lenders won’t support it, the financial risk is probably too high. Besides, the Legislature has many more important issues to deal with.

>> The government should not be in the business of supporting facilities of sporting events? Who pays for the public golf courses? Football fields? Baseball fields? Soccer fields? Tennis courts? Lawn bowling? Etc.? Why don’t we stop funding to all those venues also? 

>> How irresponsible of our legislators. Raceways are a total waste of fossil fuels. It’s ridiculous, driving in circles burning up gas, which is non-replenishable, and adding more pollution to our island air.

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“Bill would impose 80% tax on sales of e-cigarettes as ‘disincentive’,” Star-Advertiser, March 24:

>> The legislators want the public to believe that vaping isn’t safe just long enough to figure out a way to get their grubby paws into our pockets. Only time will tell what the effects of vaping are.

>> This actually hurts people who are trying to quit smoking by taxing nicotine patches as well as nicotine gum.

>> People see the word “tax” and immediately rail against it without first thinking about what it’s trying to do. This is bringing e-cigs and other smokeless products in line with traditional tobacco products, tax-wise. One of e-cigs’ key benefits was that it cost much less than cigarettes, but that was because it’s a young market and tax laws hadn’t been updated to account for it.

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“Pro Bowl to return in 2016 but may go Brazilian in ’17,” Star-Advertiser, March 24:

>> If the NFL is having a hard time with wanting to come back to Hawaii, can you imagine what the NFL is going to think when a new, smaller stadium is built? Hawaii needs at least at 40,000- to 45,000-seat new stadium. Not 30,000.

>> The Pro Bowl is a tired, beat game for most fans. Let the Brazilians have it.

>> The NFL can put the Pro Bowl in Kabul, for all I care.

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“Measure calls for rail audit,” Star-Advertiser, March 25:

>> The state auditor has a great track record, and there are still many questions about the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation and the rail. I fully support an audit of HART as called for in House Concurrent Resolution 181.

>> We need more information. Not just about the specs, but about the bus changes, the highway changes, the 

finances, the future “proposals.” Let’s get an audit.

>> What will our legislators do with the findings? All shibai as they will give HART the green light to continue to spend recklessly instead of stopping this ill-conceived project.

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“Archers urge city to decide on range,” Star-Advertiser, March 25:

>> It has been nearly three years since the city closed the archery range at the Kapiolani Park site. It’s hard to imagine why it would take so long to decide what to do. As usual, the city took the easy way out and just closed off archery at the park location and has left it at that.

>> It’s ridiculous to have an archery range in the middle of a park that is so crowded.

>> Put it inside Diamond Head.

>> Good idea. There’s a lot of room in the crater that faces empty areas and natural back fencing. Or, if the previous location is still desired, they could change the angle of the archery range so it would face more toward the hillside instead of the tennis courts.

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“More residents are packing up and leaving Oahu,” Star-Advertiser, March 26:

>> I left Oahu recently for good, mostly for economic reasons. Moving to the mainland was like getting a 50 percent raise. Hawaii is a nice place to visit, but you can’t afford to live there.

>> Sadly, we have been considering this as well. About 80-90 percent of our monthly income goes to pay various bills, utilities, food, gas and other necessities. Hardly any left over to spend on other things.