I want to commend the Honolulu Star-Advertiser for its editorial acknowledging evolving community attitudes toward animal welfare (“Dolphins don’t belong in resorts,” Star-Advertiser, Our View, Jan. 7).
We are making progress toward a more humane and compassionate community, and decisions like those of Jeff Stone, who chose not to create a dolphin encounter at Ko Olina, and of Gov. David Ige, who halted permits to import wild animals for entertainment purposes, are admirable. But it’s not enough.
Currently, no laws or administrative rules prohibit another administration from reversing course. The Department of Agriculture was given a rule change proposal more than two years ago that would ban the importation of dangerous wild animals. These rules are finally approved to go out for public hearings but none have been scheduled.
I invite those who care about animal welfare to rally around getting those rules heard so we can finally get them passed. Only then will we be able to demonstrate that Hawaii is truly a state that cares about protecting wild animals.
Pamela Burns
President and CEO, Hawaiian Humane Society
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Our duty to respect office of president
I can’t believe the anger in the comments posted against President Donald Trump. What are these people planning to do now that Trump is president? I hope they don’t resort to violence.
Most of us have to live with whoever is elected president, so don’t get mad at us if we’re not willing to join your cause. Our duty as a citizen of this country is to respect whoever is in office. Life goes on whether you like this president or not.
Clarence Chun
Kalihi
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Hope that Trump isn’t what he seems
Our country now has a new president. Although I will consider the new administration with an open mind the way I always do, I have never been more afraid for this country’s future.
The fact that Donald Trump secured even his party’s nomination, let alone got elected president, still amazes me. This is a man who carries himself like the neighborhood bully with a huge ego. Along the campaign trail, he disparaged Mexicans, spoke of treating patriotic American Muslims in a manner akin to the way Japanese were treated during World War II and mocked a disabled journalist, among other things.
That’s not to mention earlier remarks encouraging sex assault while claiming immunity as a “celebrity.”
And, of course, he seems to have something to hide about his tax returns and refuses to divest his foreign business holdings.
I pray that Trump proves my fears groundless.
God help us all if he proves me right.
Jim Gardner
Kaimuki
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Bush showed grace; boycotters didn’t
With regard to the presidential inauguration, President George H.W. Bush sent a letter to Donald Trump, not his favorite, expressing his regrets that he and Barbara would not be able to attend the inauguration because of health issues.
He went on to express his congratulations and to offer any assistance he could give.
President Bush is not only a great man, but a true statesman who is morally superior to the congressional crybabies and political hacks who boycotted the inauguration.
Robert Maguire
Makiki
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Trump dangerous to U.S. and the world
Arthur Conan Doyle, the author who created the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes, once wrote: “What you do in this world is a matter of no consequence. The question is what you can make people believe you have done.”
Donald Trump clearly mocked Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter Serge Kovaleski in a 2015 speech in North Carolina and now denies it.
We have Trump on video clearly mocking Kovaleski, who suffers from arthrogryposis.
Trump was upset because Kovaleski would not substantiate his false claim that thousands of Muslims in New Jersey were seen celebrating the collapse of the World Trade Center, and like a child who doesn’t get what he wants, Trump lashed out in a nasty, childish, bully-like way.
We have to stay on this guy and force impeachment and removal from office as soon as it is possible. He is a danger to America and the world.
Jim Howard
Manoa
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Renters should be grateful for subsidies
I am appalled to read the grumbling from some entitled people in affordable housing (“City raising rents on affordable housing,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 16). Do they not realize their rents are subsidized by the government, which in turn gets the money from us, the taxpayers?
If something minor is in disrepair, like cabinetry in kitchens, fix it yourself. Particle board does break down over time because it’s cheap and not real wood. Scavenge some wood, a couple of bricks and jury-rig a shelf.
Complain less, show gratitude and be proactive. If it isn’t working for you, there are probably hundreds of people who would like to be in that unit.
Deborah Aldrich
Haleiwa
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Obama earns thanks for bringing us hope
Thank you, President Barack Obama. For your service and leadership. For protecting the one planet that we have. For rescuing and rebuilding our economy. For educating our children, and being a role model to them.
Thank you, President Obama. For the millions who now have health coverage. For the autoworkers in the heartland. For the LGBT community. For the disadvantaged and disabled. For our veterans. And for the Dreamers.
Thank you, President Obama. For representing and remembering Hawaii. For your dignity and grace. For your integrity and compassion. For your humor and humility. For your love of sports. For your love of family and loyalty to friends.
Thank you, President Obama. For my son. For my daughter. For your aloha. For inspiring us. For always believing in us. And for continuing to bring us hope.
A.J. Halagao
Manoa
