‘Fashion reporting’
‘Fashion reporting’
The Nov. 6 article concerning the shark attack off Kehena Beach took great pains to report in numerous paragraphs the beach is “known for its clothing optional” dress code and the victim (Mr. O’Leary) and his rescuer (Mr. Dingman) were not wearing swimwear at the time of the incident.
The article does not, however, contain any explanation about why these facts are relevant enough to comprise almost 25 percent of the story’s content, including a subheadline. Can I assume all future news articles will include this level of detailed fashion reporting?
The article also states “Dingman held on to O’Leary’s shoulders as he swam backward toward the shore,” which would seem to indicate the victim dragged his rescuer back to safety.
Had they not been so focused on the fact Dingman and O’Leary were naked, perhaps the writer and editor of this story might have been able to construct a less ambiguous description of the rescue.
Richard Ellis
Keaau
HIHS can do better
Mahalo to Dennis Chaquette for his rational and positive letter (“Kill fewer animals,” Tribune-Herald, Nov. 6) regarding our community’s problems with the Hawaii Island Humane Society and its no-kill shelters. His references to other programs that are working wonderfully is a breath of fresh air, and his fair criticism of the HIHS and our no-kill shelters is most welcome and evenhanded.
As a community, we need our major shelter contract to go to an organization willing to do several very important tasks:
1. Offer free and frequent training classes to people who have pets so all their pets’ behavior problems can be solved and the pets can remain in their homes. (HIHS does none of this.)
2. Offer training to all pets that come into the shelter needing training before they can be re-homed. (HIHS does none of this.)
3. Offer to go and catch stray animals in the community, as needed. (HIHS does none of this.)
4. Offer pets we do not have homes for locally to other shelters and care groups throughout the country and the world. (HIHS does little of this, but shamefully has been willing to steal the credit from other groups that have.)
If we demand better from our county government when it comes time to award this annual contract again, we can get better. Our elected officials must know their political futures ride on this issue. Make your voice heard by them!
Dr. Carl Oguss
East Hawaii Dog Psychology Center