Overpopulation of axis deer on Maui - and what to do about it - presents a crisis in human values. Deer are fully conscious, sensitive beings whose lives consist of survival and procreation. Deer mothers nurture their children. Without her, newborn and young deer cannot survive. Killing results in the collateral deaths of orphaned offspring.
As a medical doctor, I have especially learned to value life's preciousness. I oppose the deliberate extermination of these innocent beings, as such action is inconsistent with the values of compassionate human living (i.e., do not kill unnecessarily) that are embraced in the tenets of Christianity and other major religions.
Anyone with direct personal experience of these gentle animals knows they are soulful, harmless animals - though their survival instincts impel them to find nourishment.
If one's personal lands are harmed by encroachment of deer, it's the responsibility of the landowner - not government - to erect fences or take other nonviolent action.
To declare open season on axis deer and put them ever more in harm's way is not, in my opinion, pono. To the contrary, it is a violent solution that feeds the ongoing cycle of war and aggression that now predominates among humans, in their (governments) interactions with each other and between humans and other sentient species.
We in the land of aloha must lead the way in finding humane solutions to challenging problems. Once we see that each deer is not something but rather someone, we can craft more creative, life-affirming solutions.
Barry Sultanoff
Haiku
