Don’t assume about what caused accidents

Let’s not make any assumptions about the causes of any of the unfortunate light sport aircraft (LSA) victims’ demise.

While it is tragic that the recent Hawaii LSA accidents occurred, without actually having been along for the ride or from expert analysis, there is no way one can assume anything other than something went terribly wrong.

I encourage everyone to experience the joy of flying over our magnificent islands by any method you choose. It’s a whole lot safer than walking across a street or driving on our highways, and we assume those risks every day.

Ralph Germann
Hawaii Kai

Trike flying in Hawaii unusually hazardous

Thanks for presenting Bill Quinlan’s more realistic interpretation into the causes of aircraft fatalities — "failure of the pilot or instructor to maintain control of the aircraft" — which is well documented in the findings of the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation of aircraft crashes ("Additional regulation of ‘trikes’ not necessary," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, June 1).

Quinlan remarks that the experiences of tourists and others in Hawaii who experience the magic of flight in a "weight-shift control aircraft" do discover an excitement and fascination that motivates a few to continue training. I know, because I have helped some of the few obtain their sport pilot certifications in "trikes."

Nevertheless, in sympathy with the increasing number of fatalities in flying a trike in Hawaii, a raised eyebrow is appropriate. These deaths have and will cast a sour light on trike flying in general.

The operation of a flight school in a resort area, such as beautiful Hawaii, adds a potentially distracting aspect to training.

Operating a commercial enterprise can easily seduce an instructor to cross the clearly marked Federal Aviation Administration regulatory line of "instruction" versus "tour."

My fear is that these tragic deaths seem to have not reached those pilots and instructors who need to concern themselves with the hazards of flying in mountainous and coastal Hawaii.

Perhaps the FAA and local aviation authorities do need to monitor the operations of Hawaii trike flight schools.

Chuck Goodrum
Calhoun, Ga.

GOP guessed wrong on seniors’ reaction

U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan and the rest of the GOP are surprised at the reaction of us seniors when told to accept a voucher to buy our own health insurance, once Medicare is destroyed.

I guess the GOP must think we old folks are dummies. But we aren’t.

Which one of us can’t picture ourselves going to our favorite large insurance company and asking for the best health insurance that our little voucher can buy? That is, after our life insurance policies have been reduced by half or entirely by our life insurance carriers on our 70th birthdays.

Message to the GOP: We seniors may be old and have bad eyesight, but we can see the future more clearly than the GOP.

Joe Zuiker
Honolulu

‘Aloha’ ultimately is about a loving Hawaii

I enjoyed reading the "Island Voices" column on May 31 ("Aloha spirit makes Hawaii special, for tourists and locals," Star-Advertiser).

I have my own theory of what aloha means: It is the acronym of "A LOving HAwaii."

After 51 years in this glorious nation, 43 of them as a university professor in New York, I retired perma­­- nently to this paradise. I love every moment of my life in this paradise.

Aloha!

Prasad Varanasi
Honolulu

Concern for prisoners seems to be misplaced

I would like to applaud the comments of Cynthia Burdge ("Isle prison diet improves health," Star-Advertiser, Letters, May 27).

Contrary to other comments made that portions were too small, I agree with Burdge that the inmates have three meals a day that, according to the menu reported in the newspaper, are healthy.

What critics have to consider is: What about the poor victims the criminals abused? Maybe if they want a better diet, do like the prison in Arizona does: Farm and raise their own livestock.

We should have the prisoners housed with nothing special, like libraries that are better than in some of our schools, weight/exercise rooms, TV, etc., and let them work their crimes off. Use the prisoners to cut weeds along the highways or paint over graffiti we cannot control.

Max N. Calica
Mililani