Government can’t get its act together

We can’t take care of either our animals or our children.

Take a look at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s May 21 front page: “Zoo promises go unfulfilled” and “Foster care costs: Lone legislator snuffs settlement.”

Where’s the $5.8 million our property taxes generated for the Honolulu Zoo? And why would state Rep. Sylvia Luke not vote for foster parents to receive an overdue raise?

The inefficiency, bloating and poor prioritizing of our city and state government are mind-boggling.

Kathy Newkirk Leong

Kapiolani

—

Tokyo line shows rail transit can work

As a frequent visitor to Tokyo, I see all the benefits of rail, including predictable travel times and fewer DUIs. In fact, the driverless, elevated Yurikamome rail system in Japan is running a profit.

Therefore, I see it as my responsibility to find a source for rail funding on Oahu. I suggest we do a combination of a general excise tax extension and hotel tax increase. In order to get the hotels on board, we extend the rail to include connections to Hilton Hawaiian Village, Waikiki Beach Walk and the Honolulu Zoo. This will provide a quick option from the airport to Waikiki, and ultimately lead to more business.

It also will give locals a way to access Waikiki when the roads are closed for special events.

Hire the crew that built the Japan line to build ours ahead of schedule and on budget.

Problem solved.

Justin Tanoue

Kaneohe

—

Manchester bomber wasn’t an immigrant

In response to Candace Asosaoletoetu, the perpetrator of the Manchester attack was a United Kingdom citizen, born and bred (“Travel-refugee ban needed for security,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, May 25).

The argument that a travel ban would have prevented that attack is absurd. A number of terrorist attacks in the U.S. were made by U.S. citizens or legal residents. Check the facts before supporting an unconstitutional and senseless ban.

There already is a stringent vetting process in place before people can enter the U.S. And the president’s proposed ban does not include Muslim countries with which he and his family have business interests. This president’s power was given to him by people like Asosaoletoetu who believed that he, and he alone, will protect us from the evil outsiders.

Who’s going to protect us from the evil that’s in the White House, giving away state secrets to our enemies and alienating our allies?

Francesca Passalacqua

St. Louis Heights

—

Rule of law doesn’t matter to president

President Donald Trump’s recent tweet calling the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate possible collusion by his campaign with Russia a “witch hunt” is a glaring indication of his disdain for the rule of law.

As the highest elected official in the United States, he swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution. As we are seeing on a daily basis, he has no self-control and even less control of his thumbs.

Moses Akana

Aiea

—

Trump’s budget hurts the vulnerable

President Donald Trump’s budget is a recipe for a more dangerous world at home and abroad. This proposal decimates efforts to ensure access to food, medical care and opportunities for the most vulnerable, our children and seniors.

In order to fund a not-needed $54 billion increase in Pentagon spending and massive tax cuts for the wealthy, we starve successful programs that care for our neighbors and the Earth. This is immoral, and lacks a conscience.

Patricia Blair

Kailua

—

Hokule‘a helped Vietnam veterans

Watching Herb Kane design Hokule‘a, I saw her as a therapeutic platform, a people’s healing sanctuary.

From the City of Refuge and the sacred heiau Hale O Keawe, they came to Hokule‘a. So too from Kawaihae, Maui and Oahu, these Hawaiian veterans just back home from the Vietnam War exuded a renewed Ha, a new breath.

Resensitized after being abandoned by the nation they risked their lives for, they found solace and nurtured a spiritual essence to their “new friend,” this living cultural artifact, and cared for Hokule‘a as if an ancestor kupuna.

Since 1975, they’ve sailed on all voyages and are presently on this world voyage.

The good energy from this world voyage should not stop. Let these young voyagers realize their compassionate caregiving abilities by including wounded warriors, veterans and the homeless on all future voyages, for they, too, are Hawaii’s abandoned.

James Kimo Hugho

Hokule‘a 1975

Wilhelmina Rise

—

Zoo exhibits could feature local pests

Here’s an idea for the Honolulu Zoo and all that wonderful funding: Create a feral cat exhibit. Remove as many ferals as possible islandwide and house them at the zoo. They can frolic on the created playscapes and entertain the public. This exhibit can be used to educate and raise public awareness of an islandwide problem.

Next, a mongoose exhibit. Teach the children about how this invasive species came to the islands.

One more: How about wild pigs? I would like that exhibit myself. Teach about the hunting programs and the habitats of these wild animals. More opportunities for crucial education of the public.

Final thought: rats and their relationship with slugs. Plenty of wildlife right here. There’s no need to import or house exotic animals just so people can be entertained.

Carol Pierpont

Hawaii Kai