Posted on: Friday, May 3, 2002

Hokget's rescue: Can we do better at home?

No matter where one stands on the issue of spending tens of thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours of risky seamanship to rescue the little pooch Hokget, you cannot deny it was heartwarming to see the critter welcomed back to land yesterday at Honolulu Harbor.

Did it appear that she was smiling as she greeted an international press corps and a crowd of well-wishers?

The 2-year-old mixed-breed terrier didn't seem all that worse for wear considering her ordeal at sea, where she had been drifting aboard the fire-ravaged fuel tanker Insiko since April 2.

The expensive effort to rescue the dog has generated considerable debate. Considering all the needs of society — heck, even considering all the unwanted or ill-treated domestic animals we have at home — was it really worth it to spend this much money and time on one creature?

Objectively speaking, the answer is no. But this was not a matter that succumbs easily to rationality. This was about emotion and the compelling thought of a helpless 2-year-old pup, cast adrift in the vast Pacific.

It's best to celebrate her return and hope the same compassion and sense of urgency that electrified so many to help Hokget will surface again and again at home, where needs are so great and resources so sadly limited.