Indigenous species must be protected

Sydney Ross Singer appears to argue for balance in managing Hawaii’s natural environment ("Hunting for an answer in Hawaii’s war on deer, wildlife," Star-Advertiser, May 30). But his vision completely omits the unique, native animals and plants that are now in danger of extinction.

Singer, astonishingly, calls efforts to preserve native species and habitats "war on the environment."He bemoans the effects of fences and selective removal on pigs, deer and other introduced species.He fails to mention that native species have no defense against the devastation wrought by these creatures and aggressive introduced plants.

"The government … wants no future for these animals," writes Singer, meaning introduced pigs, deer and goats, but they have ample opportunities to thrive — and hunters to hunt — in many places worldwide, even in Hawaii, without freeing them to destroy what is left of native habitat.

The species found only in Hawaii are a priceless treasure.Without strong government and citizen protection, before long all the forests will be overrun by strawberry guava, feral pigs and introduced game animals.

When the native birds and other species are gone, it will be forever.Game over.

David Monk
Honolulu

Someday residents will appreciate rail

I support rail.

I’ve ridden cable cars, street cars, monorails, subways, elevated rail and high-speed trains. They are a great way to get someplace without the hassle, responsibilities or costs associated with driving yourself.

Ground-level systems still interact with traffic and may contribute to it. Elevated or under- ground projects move about independently. The goal is to relieve traffic.

Label it "eyesore"? How can anyone prefer the view of what presently happens from 5th Avenue to Waikele every day? Ugh!

I believe that this traffic affects all Honolulu drivers. Cut out some of it and even my commute from Kaneohe would likely benefit in some measure.

I may not get an opportunity to ride rail here, and maybe you won’t either. It may take a generation to make the shift, but I believe it will happen. Many scoffed at electric cars and the Prius, which are hot commodities today.

Brad Miller
Kaneohe

There are many ways to cut traffic

A lot of people make it sound like rail will be the magic bullet to all of our traffic woes.

What about the bad traffic to Hawaii Kai, to the University, Waikiki and the North Shore?

The rail will help only the people within a narrow 20-mile corridor and folks who are willing to drive or bus to the corridor.

When traffic is bad to and from the Leeward coast, it’s bad all over the island.

I am not against the idea of rail.I am against the fact that we are talking about "only" rail.

What about at the same time considering the other proposals?

Managed lanes, tollways, expressways, Panos Prevedouros’ traffic-alleviating solutions, free buses, etc.

All of these alternative solutions could be put into place within a short time and cost a lot less than $5 billion or $7 billion.

Ted Kanemori
Kaneohe

Work athletics into UH-West Oahu

The University of Hawaii-West Oahu should take an early, bold step to establish its own athletics program.

As much of the island’s athletics pride has shifted to the area that runs from Pearl City to the Waianae Coast, it would be most appropriate to seize the opportunity early. Athletics needs to be worked into the early master plan for the UHWO campus to ensure growth is not stunted in any way.

West Oahuans are deserving of such recognition and the opportunity to imagine, foster and grow an intercollegiate athletics identity and tradition that so far has been exclusive to Honolulu.

Von Kaneshiro
Liliha

Don’t favor unions with state contracts

After reading Cindy Matsumoto’s letter ("State locking out non-union contractors," (Star-Advertiser, Letters, May 27), I found myself both upset, but also amazed that our state can get away with what seems to be unconstitutional and unlawful actions in giving state contracts to only unionized contractors.

There are many non-unionized companies doing exceptional work. Our state should support all worthy businesses, both small and large, union and nonunion.

Come on, Gov. Abercrombie. As our governor, you should be taking the high road.

I’m not a contractor so I have nothing to gain, but I hope there is an attorney out there willing to take this issue to court. A lawsuit may stop this kind of payoff to the unions.

Judy Rasmussen
Kakaako

Show respect for Hawaiian language

Of any one thing most missed of The Honolulu Advertiser, it was its attention to Hawaiian language. I watched them work hard to bring it up to par, only to see it sadly lost with the Star-Advertiser. There is no better example for the pained reader than your front-page article on Kau [sic] coffee ("New brew," Star-Advertiser, May 14).

Pronunciation marks are important, and we only really have two in Hawaiian; the macron and the ‘okina. Unfortunately, you do not use the macron at all, and there is no consistency in the glottal stop.

We have kau, the season;Ka‘ū, the southernmost district on the Big Island;kāu meaning your, yours;ka‘u meaning my or mine.

I looked at your big word "KAU" and said to myself, "Oh dear."

I wish it could have beenKa‘ū.

John F. McGrady
Ala Moana