As the introducer of Senate Bill 1129 relating to medical aid in dying, I read with interest Teresa Shook’s column, “Cowards killed medical aid in dying” (Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, April 5).

I have been lucky so far: no one close to me has died a slow, painful death where my bill might have been relevant. But those situations are exactly why I introduced the bill.

Having said that, my colleagues on the House Health Committee were not cowards for killing my bill. On the contrary, when public opinion is running 80-20 in favor of a bill, killing it is the courageous thing to do, even though I profoundly disagreed with the decision.

Karl Rhoads

State senator, District 13

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Neighbor islanders want to use rail, too

The Legislature should pass the bill that will get the rail project finished. I know a lot of people who live on Maui who go to Honolulu for medical treatments. I’m sure it’s the same for Kauai and the Big Island.

We have to spend too much time and money right now every time we go to see our doctor at Queen’s Medical Center. We have to rent a car and drive in the Honolulu traffic to get to the doctor’s office building, then pay for parking. We don’t have time to ride the bus; that takes forever.

We are hoping that someday we can go to the airport and catch the train to a station near to the doctor’s office, so we only need a short bus ride to get there. The train will help everyone in the state, not just the people on Oahu.

Finish it as planned. Don’t shortchange the people with half a train.

Victor Rickard Jr.

Lahaina

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Travel-ban ruling to hurt isles’ tourism

In October 1981, my wife and I took our first trip to Hawaii. It was wonderful; we loved the scenery, the people of Hawaii, the culture and the weather.

As of October 2016, my wife has visited Hawaii 30 times and myself 26 times. We paid for our two sons’ honeymoons in Hawaii. We always spoke to our friends as to how Hawaii was a wonderful place to visit and encouraged them to do so.

This has all come to an end with the judge from Hawaii overturning President Donald Trump’s immigration order. My wife and I have decided we will never go back to Hawaii. We have asked our sons, along with friends and family, to no longer consider Hawaii as a vacation spot. I believe that the ruling of this judge will ultimately hurt the tourism business in Hawaii, especially by visitors from the mainland.

Richard H. Flynn

Poinciana, Fla.

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Scary times include ‘my military’ remark

The very concept of such a massive weapon (“The mother of all bombs,” Star-Advertiser, April 14) is frightening.

The thought of retaliation is equally frightening — the possibility of Donald Trump’s action resulting in an equal and opposite reaction against us.

But possibly the most frightening aspect of Thursday’s action was watching our president on television referring to the U.S. Armed Forces as “my military.”

John Wythe White

Haleiwa

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Bataan’s 75th renews call for peace, hope

April 9, 2017, marked the 75th anniversary of the Fall of Bataan, a historic event, immortalized by the heroic and inspiring sacrifice of 12,000 American and 60,000 Filipino soldiers, fighting together in defense of freedom and democracy in World War II.

What followed was the infamous Bataan Death March, a forced 90-mile trek where along the way 7,000 to 10,000 prisoners of war perished. Of those who survived the brutal march, 40 percent died of disease, hunger or maltreatment during imprisonment at Camp O’Donnell, Tarlac.

Let’s take time to commit or re-commit ourselves to working for peace on Earth and among all people. Let’s pray for victims of war and violence. Let’s reach out, extend help and make a contribution to charitable organizations working for the relief of refugees, and the care of wounded and disabled veterans.

Let’s keep alive the promise and the hope spoken of by the prophet Isaiah: “They shall beat their swords into plow-shares and their spears into pruning hooks. One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.”

Antonio V. Ramil

Wailuku

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Have historic homes feel property-tax bite

I appreciate and connect with the editorial, “Citizens already feel tax-fatigued” (Star-Advertiser, Feb. 22), as well as numerous letters to the editor expressing concern over rising taxes, fees and property taxes.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell has already implemented the totally unfair Residential A property tax. How about looking at homeowners of the historic homes (the mayor lives in one), who pay only $300 per year in property tax? They receive all the services we do. Isn’t it fair to charge all properties a fair property tax? Is the Residential A a fair property tax? Is $300 a year fair?

And, how about our politicians look for new creative ways to raise revenue, or heaven forbid, reduce spending?

Barbara Dwyer

Kailua

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Future is in clean energy, not coal

Coal mining is an industry declining in the United States. Alternative, clean energy is replacing the coal industry as more effective, as a cost- and climate-saving entity. This is the certainty of the future.

Keeping jobs in the coal industry, which is known to be detrimental to the health and longevity of coal miners, is at most a prophecy of doom.

The United States should remain the leader and role model in global affairs in supporting efforts to keep our planet safe and livable.

Gabrielle L. Makuakane

McCully/Moiliili