Regarding pets
As a returned kama‘aina and resident of Hawaiian Paradise Park over two years, it has been unique to see the abundance of pets among many families. This incorporation of pets with the highly visual status as “companions” is unique as contrasted to the per capita of pets —particularly in urban California.
An empirical analysis of this phenomenon could be intriguing for social science. However, the physical and barking presence, even in vehicles and truck beds, clearly speaks for itself.
It’s a resounding reality that pets have esteemed value. My family can report an expanding chicken coop, including a few roosters which can’t tell time at intervals, and a surplus tapestry of geckos inside and out!
It is touching to see when pets do become lost, the extensive efforts families make to try to recover their family member. Some of us have assisted in this search process for missing dogs and cats.
A concerning contrast, however, is observing residences where a dog is basically staked outside to a structure, which is often in a dilapidated condition.
Usually, there is no one present. These pets appear forlorn, stoic and depressed. Their habitation structures further deepen the metaphor of their pathos.
Formerly in custom-economy pet home construction, an observed oversight is that pet homes tend to be just set on a surface. To minimize wear and tear on the structure — and the pet’s health — it is important to have any structure slightly elevated off the ground.
This begs the larger searching question and purpose of this communication: Is it justifiable for pets chained on properties to merely exist for convenient security systems, or do individuals and animal adoption agencies have an ethical responsibility to educate and screen potential owners?
We all have the right to a life of proper care and nurturance. Shouldn’t those creatures that love us more than themselves share those same rights?
Jim Barker
Keaau
Homelessness
In Hawaii, we have a problem with homelessness. Some people are forced to be homeless, and some people are into drugs and end up lost.
When Army veterans come back from serving their country, some have no home, and they become homeless.
In the prison, when inmates are released, some have no home and become homeless. The big problem is they don’t have a roof over their heads, and many don’t have enough food.
The effects of homelessness go beyond just those who are homeless. Camping in the wrong place or camping in someone’s backyard, and people sleeping in their car in the wrong place like the beach, can lead to problems with the police.
The people most affected by homelessness are people in the community. Sometimes, people who are homeless have trouble with their behavior and sometimes lose control out of the blue. Being homeless increases the danger of abuse and violence and the chance that they can enter the criminal justice system.
Most of the time, homelessness is just temporary, but sometimes all they need is someone to help them get back on their feet. Companies should give the homeless a chance and hire them so that they can rebuild their lives again.
The community should donate money, clothes and food to the homeless. These things can change their lives and make our community stronger.
Isaac Lu
Honoka‘a