Letters to the Editor

Tiny frog is a threat to native birds, plants

In a Feb. 23 letter, Jose Bernier concluded that an introduced "Tiny frog (is) no danger (to) Hawai‘i’s forests." He argued that since this frog — the coqui — is native to Puerto Rico and cherished there, we ought to be pleased that it has been inadvertently introduced to Hawai‘i.

Following this same logic, we could conclude that, since rattlesnakes are revered and worshiped in parts of the deserts of the Southwest and adjacent Mexico and cobras are cherished in India and other parts of Asia, we ought to have rattlesnakes and cobras here.

In fact, the frog from Puerto Rico, in the absence of its natural predators, has the potential in Hawai‘i to increase to enormous numbers and wipe out our native insects. And this in turn would adversely affect many of our native birds, which rely on insects for food, and our native plants, which rely on insects and birds for pollination.

Allen Allison

Memorable moments in life would be gone

After reading the letter about teachers deserving a raise, written by Kimberly Cavanetta, a Moanalua High School senior, I felt compelled to write about the subject also.

I am a McKinley High School senior and I couldn’t agree more with her feeling about the whole ordeal. A teachers’ strike would not only take away events such as the senior prom, commencement and Project Graduation, but it would also take away the memorable moments in a person’s life that these events bring.

Raynell K. Anes

Girl Scout cookie sales a learning experience

I am a Cadet Girl Scout in Troop 129. We sell Girl Scout cookies, which helps the girls learn skills. Some girls, in learning selling techniques, realize that business is the way to go. They learn how to talk in front of people and not be afraid.

The girls are not only selling cookies, they are also getting hands-on experience on what they want for their future.

Cristina Cordero

Tourism should pay for its own advertising

Thank you for the March 4 article entitled "Tickle-down tourism." If tourism is a viable business for Hawai‘i, why can’t it pay for its own advertising?

Direct and indirect subsidies to tourism — I estimate these at over $10 per month per Hawai‘i resident — are paid for by taxes from other businesses. These subsidies prevent the marketplace from deciding what mix of businesses is right for Hawai‘i. The phrase used by economists to describe this situation is "captive state."

Neil Frazer

Don’t take chances with bacteria discharge

The state Department of Health should not allow any development that increases staphylococcus aureus bacteria levels in our beach waters. That should be self-evident.

But the department appears poised to adopt rules allowing saltwater public swimming pools to discharge their effluent into our beach waters with no regulation whatsoever of staphylococcus levels.

Proponents of the new saltwater public swimming pool rules don’t deny that saltwater public pools produce increased levels of staph and that they will discharge their waters into our beach waters. Instead, they defend the rules’ failure to mention staph by saying that there is no generally accepted standard for how much staph is safe.

The logic of this argument is puzzling. If we lacked an accepted standard on what was a safe dose of salmonella bacteria, would the Health Department say "let’s not regulate how supermarkets and restaurants store raw meat"?

If we’ re not sure what level of staph is safe, should we throw up our hands, stick our heads in the sand and pretend staph isn’t a problem? Shouldn’t we err on the side of caution rather than taking an unknown risk? And shouldn’t we avoid taking chances with the quality of one of our state’s top assets, the waters of our beaches?

James J. Bickerton

Stop fluoridation bill before it’s too late

In an earlier editorial, The Advertiser favored the water fluoridation bill. I’m against that position because there is not enough evidence that fluoridated water is not harmful to human health.

The side effects are not known. Careful thought should be given before we use any chemicals in our water. If the Legislature passes the fluoridation bill, it will be difficult to abolish the law later.

Tomi Chock

People of Hawai‘i, Japan were joined in rite

The recent honoring of those who were lost at sea following the Ehime Maru sinking by a U.S. Navy submarine, and recognition of the grief their families are suffering, was meant to join the people of Hawai‘i with the people of Japan.

It was a people-to-people thing, more than anything else. As local folks who have lost family to other tragedies, and especially as Hawaiians, we understand the meaning of loss. But we also understand how honoring those who bear the loss helps in the healing process.

The crew of the Hawaiian Rainbow was exceptionally kind and caring, ministering to many who were unable to bear up well under the rough conditions of the sea nine miles out. The Fire Department’s boat Mokuahi honored us all, but especially those taken by the sea, with its huge display of water upon water. Escort boats were constant and watchful, and appreciated for their willingness to accompany us all the way.

These ceremonies took place in the ahupua‘a of Waimanalo, in the ili of Maunalua. Maunalua is significant because all of our energies were brought together in this one focal point and carried from there to the sea. Our connection to place, be it the ‘aina or the kai, in Hawai‘i or Japan, is important to acknowledge.

In particular, let me extend a heartfelt thanks to the East Honolulu Community Coalition, who showed up in force to acknowledge, as hosts for the area, their support of this honoring and sacred time.

Lynette Cruz

‘Ehime Maru’ song a heartfelt message

Jake Shimabukuro’s pure heart literally gets to the heart of the matter with his powerful ‘ukulele song "Ehime Maru."

"It’s a very beautiful sound with a lot of tension," Jake commented. True, tension resonates in this instrumental piece, but it’s ultimately released with the feeling one experiences after a soulful cry. Grief triggered by a human tragedy is effectively expressed and released without the use of words.

May Jake’s heartfelt message touch those who use words as weapons instead of tools. Talking is sharing. Listening is caring.

Barbara Pidot-Guffey
Kane‘ohe

Uncensored writing gave ‘for real’ view

Mahalo, Alani Apio, for spilling your na‘au. You wrote about "for real" stuff in your Feb. 25 commentary that needed to be stated.

The educated professional elite and the spin doctors do not want to read or hear that kind of "reality." I’m surprised they actually printed it. How did you accomplish that? Usually, "for real" stuff written by Hawaiians is censored.

In fact, so many people have asked me how come the Hawaiians are doing nothing and are not speaking out?

Too often, our elders have told us, "You can’t say this, you can’t say that." I’ve often wondered why. Why can everyone else express their feelings and opinions any way they wish and we cannot? Then, as I grew up, I understood. Our elders were teaching us a very important principle of living.

Too bad, the group that created this pilikia does not understand the real meaning of aloha. The fact is, the collective mind-set of this group just doesn’t get it.

Carolyn Peters
Wai‘anae

‘Baywatch, Hawai‘i’ didn’t show Isles well

As an Islander who had to spend much of the last decade on the Mainland, I was enthused when I heard that "Baywatch" was moving to Hawai‘i. I still watched reruns of "Magnum, P.I.," just so I could see Island faces and locales. But I had only watched a few episodes of "Baywatch" before I thought it simplistic and obviously aimed at the teenage crowd.

I could have died laughing, if I hadn’t been so ashamed. Who (if anyone) wrote that stuff? The young actors were lovely to look at but painful to hear. I tried using the mute button and watching the scenery, but even that didn’t work.

Hawai‘i is more than just a pretty face. We have many interesting, exciting people who do fabulous things with their lives. The greatest thing about Hawai‘i is how people from all over the world have made a new society here. Let’s make room for a show that points up Hawai‘i’s strengths, not its silliness or, in the case of the "P.I." shows, its crime. That would sell Hawai‘i.

Peter L. Nelson

Kailua High coaches went to bat for girls

Mahalo to the softball coaches of Kailua High School. They cared enough about the girls to get them a field on their own campus.

It is rare to have a softball field on campus while most schools have a baseball field. Congratulations to the girls of Kailua High School. At least you know someone cares enough about you to get for you what you all deserve.

Diane Wong

Dog owners: Clean up mess pet leaves

Recently, my wife and I were relaxing at Lanikai Beach, and along comes a lady and her dog. She stopped a short distance in front of us and decided to play catch with her dog. The dog then came up close to where we were lying and decided to poop.

The owner then said "Oops, got to go now," leaving the worst smell for everyone in a 10-foot radius. She had no intention of picking up the poop. This is offensive and rude. The next thing you’ll have is an unsuspecting toddler crawling right through the stuff.

To all you dog owners, if you must have dogs, make them poop at home or clean up after them. The beach is turning into one big toilet.

D. Ortiz
Waikiki

Ode to a kiawe tree

The last kiawe tree in Waikiki,
Why have they spared you, you so commonplace?
How have you survived sea surges, hurricane winds,
Moreso developers’ demand for upscale, classy forms?
You are so full of thorns, home to rats,
Rubbish maker first class.
Why were you saved and made so prominent,
A centerpiece of Halekulani’s opulence?
You, so out of place like bare feet
or two scoops of rice at La Mer.
Your survival is the key
To the survival of locals in a corporate, sanitized Waikiki.
Oh kiawe tree, worthy of a Don Blanding silhouette,
The perfect filter for the Waikiki sunset,
Stand your ground, dig in your toes,
You are our teacher, keeper and last vestige of Waikiki’s long agos.

Richard Y. Will

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