Ellison’s airline buy has a bit of irony

Too bad Larry Ellison wasn’t around a few years ago to buy Aloha Airlines ("Ellison buying go!," Star-Advertiser, June 21).

He could have saved a lot of jobs and a traditional Hawaii airline that was worth saving.

At least we get to see the irony of go! falling under the Island Air brand, a former Aloha subsidiary.

Jim King
Hawaii Kai

Public victories pale next to losses

Your editorial mentioned two recent land-use victories (in Haleiwa for 3.4 acres and in Hawaii Kai for 4.5 acres), and rightly point out that community vigilance and involvement in the rail project and in Kakaako’s development will be important ("Public’s voice can be heard," Star-Advertiser, Our View, June 21).

However, in keeping score about land saved versus land lost, the 7.9 total acres referred to above pales in comparison to the thousands of acres of prime farmland lost to development in south and central Oahu within the last year.

The loss of this farmland will significantly affect Oahu’s ability to approximate being food-independent.The comparison deserved mention in your editorial just to keep perspective on what interests have been winning this competition for the island’s very limited land.

Richard Stancliff
Austin, Texas

Bicycle riders need to learn road rules

Now that the city is trying to improve the road for bicycle riders, the riders should also abide by the rules ("Honolulu to pedal harder for bikeways," Star-Advertiser, June 20).

I see riders go from the sidewalk into the crosswalk without slowing or watching for cars or people crossing.Some also ride against traffic, go without lights when it gets dark, ride on the sidewalk without warning signals, go through red lights when the roads seem clear, and ride abreast instead of single file.

It may not be required but they should have rear-facing mirrors to see traffic behind them.It seems that a lot of riders don’t know the rules or laws about bicycle riding.

I don’t want to see anyone injured while bicycle riding. I hope they learn the right way to bike.

Richard Kinoshita
Palolo

Ala Moana Center lacks lures for locals

I was really disappointed to hear that Bloomingdale’s will be replacing the Ala Moana Sears.

Why would the powers that be figure a store like that is going to have a better chance of surviving than Sears?

That shopping center desperately needs some revitalizing. The place seems to get junkier and junkier as the years go by. As it is, all I ever go there for anymore is Foodland, Longs and Shirokiya (for the low-priced used books and DVDs). They need more interesting, useful businesses that better suit the average budget.

And how come they don’t even have movie theaters? One of the largest shopping centers in the United States and it doesn’t even have that basic entertainment necessity.

Kevin Johnson
Honolulu

Cat feeders treated poorly by resort

Well, we’re busted.

My husband and I are not allowed in any of the common areas of Ko Olina because we have committed the most disgusting, most felonious and most hideous of crimes known to the local constabulary — feeding irresponsible and unkind people’s castoffs, the kittys of Ko Olina.

To us, it’s a kind, loving thing to do.If they are fed, they stay away from more vulnerable critters.

Enforcement would be better spent on speeders, chasing down bicycles on lagoon walks, dogs on lagoon walks, and the slobs that throw dirty diapers everywhere but the garbage can.Also, controlling unauthorized use of resort property by persons not living there.

I could go on but they would rather nail us for being kind to heartless people’s castoffs.

Jerrilyn Rosenkranz
Ko Olina

Feral cats better than feral rats

If I had my druthers, I’d rather have cats than rats.

If you have volunteers willing to care for the cats — keep them sterilized, keep them fed and healthy — where’s the problem?

Rats carry plague, hantavirus, leptospirosis and, if anyone says "toxoplasmosis," you have to ask when was the last time we had a case of toxo in Hawaii.

As for taking them home, let’s be realistic.Most apartment buildings don’t allow pets.

Barbara Ikeda
Mililani

Let’s rely more on self-responsibility

Regarding the fatal accident at Makua Cave and the banning riders in the back of pick-up trucks:

Driving without a driver’s license is banned.

Too many people in the front and rear seats is banned.

Driving erratically is banned.

Leaving the scene of an accident is banned.

Maybe instead of adding another ban, we should move in a different direction — have people be responsible for their actions and not the government.

It is obvious that adding another ban would not have prevented this accident.

Rick Conroy
Kaimuki

Save on clothing but starve the soul

As regards replacing Kahala Mall’s Barnes & Noble bookstore with still another Ross, it seems that we can outwardly dress for less yet become diminished within.

Bill Lofquist
Waikiki