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Bikeshare Hawaii has been in the news hundreds of times over the past few years, most recently as it began installing bike stations. As the name implies, bikeshare is a bike-rental program that has many benefits.
Residents who would like to ride a bike without the worry of storage will now have the option to do so. This is especially important for our seniors who want to stay active.
The bikes are sturdy, include a basket and are economically priced. Educational material will be available for visitors who may be unfamiliar with our traffic laws.
In addition, stations are conveniently located to promote more ridership.
Many groups and individuals participated in meetings and discussions to bring bikeshare to Hawaii. It’s great to see the implementation, and we look forward to many bikeshare rides around town.
Natalie Iwasa
President, Cycle On Hawaii
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Hawaiians should value astronomy
I am disheartened to read the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope still faces legal delays (“Telescope case in judge’s hands,” Star-Advertiser, June 14).
Yes, there is public support for Hawaiian religious and cultural practices, but must those observances preclude the use of part of the Mauna Kea summit area for this astronomical observatory?
Consider how Hawaii can be thought of as a leader in the reawakening of traditional culture and in the advancement of science; both can be thought of as educational endeavors. An essential goal of Hokule‘a’s bold around-the-world voyage embodied renewal of traditional, but forgotten, knowledge of ocean navigation and, importantly, spreading the concept of a sustainable world.
A groundbreaking, advanced observatory has a large on-site and in-state education component and also will bring deeper understanding of natural processes. All these factors work to enhance future sustainable practices.
Jonathan Hoag
Kaneohe
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Enforce laws instead of taking away guns
Phil Robertson’s letter on repealing the Second Amendment follows anti-gun rhetoric and is poorly thought out (“Second Amendment doesn’t work today,” Star-Advertiser, June 19).
Drunken drivers crash and kill, but the car isn’t blamed for the crash. People are obese, but the spoon and fork are not blamed for their poor health.
A gun has no thought, does not breathe, and does not make a decision to fire randomly. Put the blame in the proper place. People kill people using a gun.
If you blame the gun, then we should blame the knife, hammer, baseball bat, etc., for the deaths they cause, and they also should be banned.
The Second Amendment was made to protect citizens from oppression. We should look at enforcing tougher laws and sentences that are on the books, instead of taking away the rights of honest law-abiding citizens.
If they repeal the Second Amendment, what amendment will they repeal next?
Stewart Chun
Mililani
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NRA members aren’t guilty of gun crimes
Phil Robertson is way off-base regarding our Second Amendment and the National Rifle Association.
I defy him to name one NRA member who has committed “the most atrocious crimes with firearms.”
NRA members are extremely law-abiding citizens who support measures to keep guns away from criminals and the insane.
Some 60 million people perished at the hands of government in the 20th century, and those governments did not use flintlocks.
Rhoads Stevens
Hawaii Kai
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Cataluna’s column brings good cheer
When Lee Cataluna really hits it, it’s outta the park.
Her column Friday about the waving people or their decorations along our roadways is world-class writing about a Hawaii unique in the world (“Bright spots on journey leave a joy unshooable,” Star-Advertiser, June 16).
“They acknowledge the burden of a journey,” Lee wrote of folks who hold a flag or deck their homes for every season. “They … cheer on those who are courageously on their way, even if they are just driving to work.”
They cheer us on just like Lee Cataluna does, with kindness in the morning.
Walter Wright
Kaneohe
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Put fireworks show on live television
Every year, the public is invited to see a spectacular fireworks show off Magic Island. There are thousands of folks who live around the state who can never attend for many reasons.
It would really be a great service to the community if one of the local television stations broadcasts the show live in high-definition TV. The new modern large-screen TVs would make watching the show almost like being there, and new high-resolution cameras would make an enjoyable show for viewers.
Other events like the Memorial Day lantern ceremony are broadcast live. Why not do the same with the fireworks show as a service to the viewing public?
Bill Romerhaus
Haleiwa
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Senate should have voted on Paris accord
If President Barack Obama had submitted the Paris climate agreement to the Senate for ratification in December 2015, it would have been a significant election issue.
U.S. Sens. Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz would have had a meaningful vote on this issue. If it had been ratified, President Donald Trump would not be able to withdraw from it by himself. If it had been rejected, the 22 Republican senators who retained Republican seats would have had a tougher road in the election.
If the cogent arguments the scientific community now are making had come in 2016, Hillary Clinton would have added another million votes to her popular-vote plurality.
John LeRoux
Waikiki
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