Letters: EPA Override Entry on Thirty Meter Telescope; Red-light cameras deal with so many road realities; Hunting and hiking the East Oahu Trail don’t mix

Since when is it the job of the Environmental Protection Agency to weigh in on cultural and community issues (“EPA criticizes plan for TMT”, Star-Advertiser, September 22)? The idea that an environmental impact statement would deal with something other than the effects of a project on the physical the environment is new to me.

Unless my understanding of the EPA’s charter is completely wrong, its assessment of the Thirty Meter Telescope is a ridiculous exaggeration, regardless of one’s position on the matter.

Tracey Scott

Wahiawa

Mauna Kea will endure long after our bickering

Science indicates that Mauna Kea began forming over 500,000 years ago. Some people choose myth and lore to understand these beginnings.

Either way, in 500,000 years, no human feelings or artifacts will remain on the surface of the Earth. What will remain will be pristine Mauna Kea, having been protected by time. What won’t stay will be us who argued about it.

Bruse Eckmann

Moilili

Red light cameras face so many road realities

I can understand the installation of red light cameras on Vineyard Boulevard and Liliha Street, but I disagree with the placement of Vineyard and Palama Street. There are definitely people running red lights in Vineyard and Palama, especially people coming off the H-1 freeway at the Vineyard exit and turning left towards Palama, or people going down Palama and making a stop in California before turning right on red.

However, if you are on Palama and want to turn left on Vineyard in either direction, you take an uncontrolled left turn. If there is oncoming traffic, you are forced to wait until the intersection is clear, usually after the last oncoming car has passed over yellow. Now you and possibly the person behind you can safely turn left, but do so while the light is red.

Will the review agency take this into account when deciding whether to issue a ticket? Is the state considering installing left turn arrows? Will the cameras focus only on Vineyard? These and other questions must be answered before the system is put into service.

Steve Miller

Makiki

Hunting and hiking the East Oahu Trail don’t mix

It’s so heartbreaking that a beautiful animal, a nursing mare, was killed a few days ago on Oahu by a hog hunter’s bullet.

I fear a similar fate awaits hikers on East Oahu’s Wiliwilinui Trail.

The Department of Lands and Natural Resources sign posted at the trailhead states that hunting is permitted “half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset all year round on Saturday, Sunday and holidays” – the busiest days for hiking.

It also says hunters can use “rifles, shotguns, handguns, knives, spears, and archery.”

Who approved this recipe for disaster?

RIP, innocent equine victim.

Marilyn Kim

Waialae Iki

Jack Johnson lifted a fan through dark times

When you receive devastating news, you do your best to soothe your aching soul.

It was almost 10 years ago when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had a support system of family and friends, but I needed something soothing. It was the voice of local singer-songwriter Jack Johnson in his music. I listened to his music day and night, attended his concerts, and wrote about his good intentions for his Kokua Hawaii Foundation. He was an inspiration at a time in my life when I felt hopeless.

Recently I learned how cancer affects my family. I have only sorrow and tears that fill my heart and my eyes. But that sadness dissipated for a moment, as I saw my inspiration, Jack Johnson, in person when I recently walked into a line at Waipio Costco. I couldn’t believe my eyes when he caught my eye asking me what line I was standing in.

A total excitement came over me. I had wanted to meet him for some time, but I must have lost all hope. But when I really needed hope, inspiration, he was there. I mean: Thank you very much, Jack Johnson, for your music, your talent and your inspiration!

Joyce Verduzco

Mililani

Kudos to Kaiser for non-member boosters

I would just like to thank Kaiser Permanente, and in particular its Kailua Clinic, for their community service in giving the last booster shots to non-Kaiser members. It shows real dedication to others – and the clerk and nurse couldn’t have been friendlier or more helpful.

How lucky we are.

Judy Mick

Kailua

PBS’ “Holocaust” show echoes the risks of nationalism

Special applause to the Reverend Dr. John Heidel and the Star-Advertiser Editorial Board for the inclusion of the recent column (“The Dangers of Nationalism, Including Christian Fanaticism”, Island Voices, September 22).

Heidel’s balanced and careful historical analysis was movingly illustrated this week in the PBS-Hawaii broadcast of Ken Burns’ documentary, “America and the Holocaust.”

Heidel’s reminder that “all forms of nationalism are dangerous” could not be more timely.

May Mamiya

University

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