Posted on: Friday, May 2, 2003
Letters to the Editor
Quarantine seems bad public policy
I enjoy Lee Cataluna's column, but in her Sunday column, like many others, she reflects a lack of public education on the issue of rabies and our pet quarantine system.
She wrongly equates change with risk of introducing rabies into Hawai'i. Like many in Hawai'i, she has been indoctrinated for years to believe that pet quarantine is necessary to maintain our rabies-free status and any change presents danger.
Rabies vaccine was invented in 1885 by Louis Pasteur and is now one of the most effective on the planet. It has been improved to the point that failures are virtually unheard of (one in about 8 million, according to a study done by Dr. Aubert, the inventor of the OIE-FAVN blood test we now use). Reliance on a system of two current vaccinations with a blood test to prove they worked, and a microchip for identification is recommended by worldwide health officials and experts.
Quarantine is a 91-year-old system used before all this was available and is not as effective in prevention. It has never even been tested, as no case of rabies has ever been found in quarantine. In 120 days required in isolation, only 78 percent of rabies cases could be detected, according to the British study. That it is effective at all assumes that what we have is a true quarantine.
It is not. Wild cats and mongooses enter without restriction, contacting pets inside the station. Humans touch, feed and handle pets supposedly in isolation. Some pets have even become mysteriously impregnated while in quarantine. Hmmm.
The facts have been vigorously obscured by those who should know better. Why? Because it has to do with disturbing someone's "rice bowl," not saving us from rabies.
The state has been sued successfully several times at high cost to the taxpayers, and now we have no quarantine for guide dogs, service dogs, hearing dogs and others. Officials have admitted under oath that no quarantine is needed for vaccinated pets. Still, the courts have been the only source of unbiased reason and progress in Hawai'i until now.
While it is proper for a state to restrict travel for a valid reason (and rabies is one), it must do so by the "least restrictive means," say the courts. The plan supported by the quarantine coalition has been estimated by scientists to present a risk of perhaps one case in 85,000 years. This is about 1,000 times better than the risk estimated by Dr. James Foppoli for the current system. It is more effective and less restrictive than the current and state-proposed plan.
To continue with quarantine, an outdated and ineffective means of rabies control, is reckless public health policy.
Chris Quackenbush
Traffic nightmares will only get worse
It's reassuring to see the city is dedicated to the traffic issue — dedicated to creating more traffic. Think Ala Moana is bad now at virtually any time of the day? Wait until the two new residential high-rises come on board.
Coupled with the new medical school and possible biotech research park and aquarium, Ala Moana will become a six-lane parking lot. Or maybe only a four-lane parking lot, seeing how the city's response to more traffic is to create even more while taking away driving lanes through major thoroughfares.
And let's not forget to applaud the ever-insightful powers that be for taking a perfectly good, smooth four-lane street like Hunakai and "beautifying" it into a two-lane crawl past one of our major shopping malls. This same bit of planning brilliance may soon be applied to the heavily traveled Lunalilo Home Road.
No wonder people have no confidence in our city government.
Pat Kelly
Lake Wilson cleanup mistake from day one
Regarding the April 23 article "Lake Wilson cleanup nearly done": No one should be joyous in proclaiming victory for a hard lesson learned that was preventable if state officials were listening.
As a result, down the road some state services will be negatively impacted as the funds weren't budgeted for this emergency work.
Management officials get paid to prevent these types of problems. They should be vigilant with their job responsibilities as they are similarly concerned with taking their daily coffee and lunch breaks.
E. Yasuda
Cockfighters should quit shameful business
It is difficult to feel sympathy for breeders who will lose money as a result of the new law banning interstate transport of the fighting roosters. The fact is, cockfighting is a gruesome, illegal activity involving gambling and crime.
Will Hoover's April 28 story failed to present both sides of the issue. For starters, cockfighting is the cruel and inhumane practice in which two or more specifically bred roosters are placed in a pit to fight. Cockfighters pump roosters full of stimulants, affix sharp knives to the birds' legs and force them to fight to the death. Unable to escape the fight no matter how injured or exhausted the birds are, they suffer grievous injuries, such as punctured lungs and gouged eyes.
In addition, law enforcement officials nationwide have documented the strong connection between cockfighting and gambling, illegal drugs and firearms.
Especially disturbing is the fact that children are brought to these events, which promote the insensitivity to animal suffering, an enthusiasm for violence and lack of respect for the law.
The loophole in the Animal Welfare Act undermines the ability of state and local law officials to enforce their state bans. Thus, numerous law enforcement organizations support closing the loophole, as does the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
It's time for cockfighters to get out of this shameful business and move on to other means of generating income.
Laurelee Blanchard
'Vikings of the Pacific' need a strong logo
The University of Hawai'i logo finalists were extremely "weak." In contrast, the UH Warrior logo is strong and in line with Hawai'i's Polynesian history.
Hawaiians were indeed "Vikings of the Pacific," as Peter Buck once wrote. For lack of anything better, why not have the athletic logo become the new logo for the entire university?
John F. McGrady
Rejected regent a man of intelligence, integrity
I am not a member of the Republican Party; this is a personal letter expressing my own opinion. I have known Ed Sultan since he was a little boy and have seen him grow to be a good family man, successful businessman, a caring member of our community and supporter of local charities.
I have recently read newspaper articles reporting that some legislators have spoken against him because of his perceived lack of a deep knowledge and predisposed opinions regarding some of the issues presently facing the university.
I have seen many great legislators who entered into public service without having a deep knowledge or predisposition on key issues. What these great legislators did have was the desire to serve the community, intelligence, integrity and the drive to learn quickly once they were elected to office.
Ed Sultan also possesses these traits.
I am absolutely positive that Ed Sultan would have used his abilities to become a great regent at the University of Hawai'i. He has a proven ability to make sound decisions, a willingness to contribute to his community and, most of all, integrity, clear thinking and straightforwardness.
Ed Sultan did not need this position. He will continue to have a great life and serve as a contributing member of our community. However, the state and the university have lost the opportunity to include a proven winner into its leadership ranks.
Turning down someone of his caliber does not encourage other local people to take on controversial, voluntary, nonpaid positions where sound minds are desperately needed to help our state go forward.
Wesley T. Park
Regent decisions wise
Congratulations to the Democratic Senate for challenging Gov. Linda Lingle's political University of Hawai'i regent appointments. The Democrats have demonstrated their commitment to merit and excellence over form.
Louis Michael Ching
Long-term-care plan is costly, won't work
While I do not disagree that there is a need to provide long-term-healthcare solutions for some aging residents, Senate Bill 1088 ("Tax for extended care set at $120," April 26) is a true wolf in sheep's clothing.
First of all, it would mean a 10 percent increase in the state taxes my family pays in 2005, only one-and-a-half years away. By 2011, it will mean a 22 percent increase in our state taxes, $276 per person per year, and all by one legislative act. Make no mistake — SB 1088 is a big tax increase.
Second, I'm only 28 years old. I have no faith at all that the state government will be able to pay me or my wife any reasonable benefits out of this fund 50 years down the road. What's $83.58 (the legislated proposed benefit paid after 2013) going to be worth in 2053?
To the young working folks trying to make it in Hawai'i: Put your hands up — this is a robbery.
Rob James
'Olelo critic doesn't understand services
Max Twain, (Letters, April 26) does not know or understand the value of 'Olelo, and that is his loss.
'Olelo (Channels 52 through 56) gives us an outstanding array of valuable programs with no commercials, no violence, no crudity.
'Olelo performed a great public service during the last election cycle by hosting forums for every race.
'Olelo provides important Hawaiian and Pacific Island programming, educational classes, classic arts showcase (classical music), free-speech messages, neighborhood board meetings, City Council and other public meetings and events, traffic monitoring and other public services.
And one of its greatest and rarest services is the free introductory classes to television production, using its equipment.
'Olelo is a very valuable resource, and we are fortunate to have it.
Nancy Bey Little
Sen. Inouye should be listened to on Iraq
Melvin Partido Sr. (Letters, April 27) expressed disappointment with Sen. Inouye, "a war hero and veteran," and his criticism of U.S. foreign policy, specifically the war in Iraq. As a war hero and veteran, the senator has uncommon credibility on this issue. He knows what war involves. We should listen to his criticisms, not stifle his right to freely express his opinion.
Most of the Americans who supported this war have no idea what war is like. We sit comfortably in our SUVs and wave our American flags, cheering jingoistically as thousands of people die in an unjust and illegal invasion.
There is much injustice in the world. This is lamentable, but it is not our right nor responsibility to decide which governments we can topple and assassinate, especially when almost every allegation echoes offenses committed in spades by our own administration.
Dan Gruner
Be aware of host culture when living in Islands
For decades, from political campaign to political campaign, promises have been made about the betterment of quality in life for our citizens.
In reality, what I do see is a higher cost of living and our citizens being held in bondage by car payments, inflated house payments, ever-increasing insurance and medical costs. Whose life are you talking about? Or are we just spinning our wheels working for "The Great American Dream" at any cost?
The material burden we place on ourselves makes us apathetic to what's really going on because we are too busy chasing "The Great American Dream"; the true essence that special-interests groups, "corporations," use to control us.
Immigrants have been coming to Hawai'i since the early 1800s, digging up our ancestral bones and destroying our sacred sites all for corporate greed, while separating Hawaiians by creating the Hawaiian Homes Act of 1920 and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, institutionalizing kanaka maoli under foreign jurisdiction.
No matter who you are, if you live in Hawai'i you need to be responsible and accountable for your actions. Destroying our environment and disregarding cultural customs for your Western philosophy is not responsible.
This is Hawai'i, not China, Philippines, Japan, Europe or America. We all need to be respectful and mindful to the host culture. Let's keep Hawai'i unique and work at making our Islands an example to the world. Live aloha.
Oliver Dukelow
Founder
Community Quarantine Reform Coalition
Communications director, Farm Animal Reform Movement
Kailua
