Letters to the Editor
Youthful commentary showed great maturity
If more adults had the intellectual perception and the clarity of expression that Molly Tafoya demonstrated in her Sept. 10 Island Voices commentary, "The dangers of too much security," the world would be a much better place.
With young people such as Molly moving into future leadership roles, both Hawai'i and the U.S. are in good hands.
Commendations must also be given to the faculty and administration at La Pietra Hawai'i School for Girls for encouraging their students to speak their minds so well.
Thomas W. Metcalf
Kailua
More information is needed on biotechnology
I agree with James Brewbaker's comments about the need for the media to become more educated in their coverage of biotechnology and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), especially in our foods (Letters, Sept. 9). Given the choice between pesticide-laden or GMO food, I think I'd choose the latter.
However, there are other important issues to consider, such as out-crossing of GMO pollen into non-GMO crops or wild species, the patenting of genetic material collected from wild plants or from crop varieties around the world, and the many unknowns associated with combining genetic material from very different organisms, e.g., animal genes being inserted into plant species or vice versa.
Given the importance of GMO research in Hawai'i, I think it is about time the major media outlets produced an in-depth report on biotechnology and GMOs, including the state of the science, the variety of applications, and the associated social, cultural, political, economic and legal issues.
The more educated we are as a public, the more informed we can be about our purchases and decisions and the less prone we are to knee-jerk reactions to the latest headlines about biotechnology advances and potential applications.
Travis Idol
Remember what war did to Hawai'i tourism
Before you start the usual beating of war drums and exhorting everybody to "get behind the president," you might recall what happened during the last so-called "war" to tourism in Hawai'i.
I am happy to have lived during the Marshall Plan because it has to have been the high point in the history of the United States. It's certainly been all downhill since then.
James M. Hykes
Journalists should also cite other attacks
Every time I saw something about the Sept. 11 attacks, journalists related them to New York only. It happened in three different states, not just New York.
I am not saying that they should not remember New York and the families of the victims there when they talk about the attacks, but I am saying that it did not just happen in New York. It also happened in Pennsylvania and Virginia. Those states should get more respect.
Ashley Nakaguma
Terrorist attacks gave prison a new meaning
On Sept. 11, 2001, I was incarcerated at the O'ahu Community Correctional Center. When the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center, I was sleeping. When the second plane hit, I was brushing my teeth and washing my face, quietly dreading the monotony of another day in prison.
When I found out about the terrorist attacks, I was dumfounded. All my self-pity and self-centeredness dissipated. My attitude toward life has been altered tremendously as a result.
A year later, I am incarcerated at the Women's Community Correctional Center in Kailua. I owe a greed deal of gratitude to the people who died as a result of the terrorist attacks, the families that survived and the men and women fighting in Afghanistan to ensure the freedom of our country that I so blatantly took for granted.
The awe-inspiring strength and courage that the people of our country have shown over the past year has filled my spirit with hope and inspiration. My heart remains with all the families who lost loved ones in the attacks.
Nicole Gillespie
Kailua
Duke Aiona offers a better solution
James "Duke" Aiona, candidate for lieutenant governor, has it right when he says that Hawai'i needs to focus on fixing our economy from the inside.
We're proud Americans and we've built our nation by taking care of ourselves and by building from our inner strengths. We are resourceful and can adapt to our struggling local economy by directly assisting small businesses in Hawai'i. Speculative Asian markets are interesting, but past governors' and senators' visits have only reaped vague long-range promises.
In order to build a better economy, we need leaders who will look inward at our strengths and invest in our greatest resource: our people. We need leaders who will empower our workforce and provide the educational and business opportunities we know we can create.
We need leaders who have local experience and integrity. Duke Aiona is one such leader.
Brandon Yamamoto
Let voters reject all the candidates
One sure way to increase voter turnout would be to add a section in each race that says "None of the Above," giving voters a chance to say no to all the candidates in that particular race.
If "None of the Above" wins, then a second special election to be held six months later with new candidates should be held. If no one wins that one, then the seat would be vacant until the next election.
Robert Martin
Hawai'i Kai
Hawai'i opened its arms to 390 Italian sailors
After an eight-day docking at the Aloha Tower pier, the Italian tall ship Amerigo Vespucci left Honolulu to continue its voyage around the world. The Vespucci is one of the oldest sailing ships in the world and brought to Hawai'i its crew of 390 Italian sailors, including 120 cadets from the Italian Naval Academy.
During its visit, the people of our state extended our internationally recognized spirit of aloha to the crew. The Royal Hawaiian Band was present at both the ship's arrival as well as its departure. Just prior to the departure, the band offered its rendition of the Italian national anthem while the crew sang along. During its stay in Honolulu Harbor, the ship's crew sponsored a variety of events for those who visited Aloha Tower.
The visit to our Islands has been the highlight of the voyage for the sailors. Members of the crew often remarked about the warmth of the welcome they received from so many they met, the lei they were presented upon their departure and the natural beauty of our island.
As an Italian American, I want to thank all of our citizens for making their stay in Honolulu so memorable. We have so much to be proud of living here in such a special place. There are 390 Italian sailors on their way to Papeete who would second that motion.
Grazie.
Victor Geminiani
President, Friends of Italy Society of Hawai'i
Help keep our children safe from alcohol use
With our children back in school this year, let's take time to focus on keeping them safe.
Underage drinking remains a serious problem in our society, and I would like to praise Mothers Against Drunk Driving for its diligent work to combat this issue.
As co-chairperson of a national initiative involving first ladies across our country to keep our children alcohol-free, I am pleased to support and take part in MADD's effort to educate our youngsters about the harmful effects of drinking.
On Sept. 3, MADD and the state Department of Transportation launched a multimedia video campaign in our schools to reach out to youth. This campaign consists of special assembly presentations called "FAKE ID" and "Street Smarts." MADD has been touring the United States this past year and has made close to 1,300 presentations to almost a million students. We are privileged to have this program in Hawai'i.
As adults, we are here to support our youth in making good decisions. We know there are countless teens making the right choice out there, standing up to peer pressure and saying "No" to alcohol and other drugs. Let's encourage our children and young people to think individually and independently, make healthy decisions and stand up for what's right.
In school settings, youth draw conclusions about alcohol use from what they see and hear about alcohol from their friends and classmates. Those who believe that alcohol use is the norm accepted by their peers are at greater risk of experimenting with alcohol and becoming regular drinkers at an early age. As educators and parents, we all play an important role in preventing underage drinking by promoting dialogue and encouraging our youth to make healthy decisions.
We must continue talking about the dangers of early alcohol use. Working together as a community, we can keep our children safe.
Vicky Cayetano
Follow Navy on nonbid contracts
Since 1976, when I transferred to Hawai'i, every time controversy arose over award of nonbid contracts by the city or state, I have been tempted to write this letter. This time I am writing it. These comments pertain to design contracts; I am not so familiar with construction contracting procedures.
In my opinion, the city and state would do well to follow the procedures followed by the Navy in these awards. The city, state and Navy procedures, as outlined in very general terms in the following paragraphs, are similar until the last step.
First, a project is advertised. Firms that wish to be considered for the work submit statements of interest with an outline of their general qualifications. These submittals are reviewed by a preselection committee that then selects a slate of several firms it considers to be the best qualified.
The selected firms are invited to submit more detailed proposals based on a comprehensive scope of work for the project. These proposals describe their specific qualifications for the particular project, together with a plan of accomplishment. These submittals are reviewed by a selection committee, and interviews are conducted to obtain detailed knowledge of the firms' qualifications and capability to perform the work.
It is at this point that the Navy's procedure differs from those of the city and state and the difference is of vital importance. The following is the method followed by the Navy:
The selection committee meets in closed session to review and discuss all the information available and, by secret ballot, develops a slate of (generally) the three most qualified firms, in order of preference. It is important to note that the deliberations are closed and confidential and the voting is by secret ballot.
Negotiations are then initiated with the most qualified firm to determine a price for the work. And another point of vital importance: It is not acceptable to address price by either of the committees or by the contractors in any of the steps prior to actual initiation of negotiations.
One of my proudest moments was when I was chairman of a selection committee that did not select a firm favored by "The Boss." Twice, following submittal of the slate, efforts were made to persuade the committee to change it in favor of his firm, but the members unanimously refused to bow to pressure.
I know for a fact that "The Boss" felt he had ample justification for his desire that his firm be selected, and it was not monetary, but the committee felt, simply, that it was not the best qualified to perform the work, and, in the end, our selection held.
Note that no one person controls any part of the process. And this is the important difference between the Navy procedure from those of the city and state. It pretty well precludes the opportunity for favoritism or buying influence.
Louis H. Trigg
Pearl City
