Genetic modification may be salvation

I appreciated Hector Valenzuela's opinion on the impact of genetically modified papayas on Hawai'i's agriculture (Island Voices, Oct. 31). A related concern has created the circumstances that necessitate the intervention of genetically modified methods to obtain pest control.

In a study conducted by the Hawai'i Department of Agriculture Plant Quarantine Branch between September 2000 and July 2001 and published as the Kahului Airport Pest Risk Assessment (http://www.hawaiiag.org/PQ/KARA%20Report%20Final.pdf), it was determined that out of 31 produce items (ranging from artichoke to strawberries) arriving by air cargo, alien insect and disease pests discovered on imported organically grown produce exceeded that of imported conventionally grown produce in over 80 percent of the samples inspected. This troubling avenue of alien pest introduction, in an island state with few natural enemies, means that genetic modification may be one of the few avenues of crop protection available to Hawai'i farmers.

It is ironic that one of the biggest threats to the Hawai'i ecosystem in general and Hawai'i agriculture specifically comes from "sustainable ag" crops produced out of state. The notion of "responsible farming" proposed by Hector should extend to the larger agricultural community, and to the state of Hawai'i as a whole, in order to minimize the need for controversial pest management methods.

Until effective quarantine methods and policy are established, I strongly support all methods of crop protection for our agricultural industry in Hawai'i.

Drama formula winner

Has anyone noticed how the new TV series "Lost" resembles the popular Korean dramas? The pacing of the storylines, the suspense, which keeps you wanting more — you can't wait till the next episode. Plus at times it even has subtitles. It seems to me that the writers and director have been watching the Korean dramas. This is why this series is successful and the series "Hawaii" was not.

Thank you for helping fallen-down woman

On Thursday, Oct. 28, at a home on the Pali Highway, my 92-year-old mother had a fall in her garden. No one was home at the time of the accident. Some kind woman walking along in the front of the house came to her aid when my mother shouted for help.

Only God knows who you are, and if you are reading this, the family wishes to convey a grateful thank-you. You summoned an ambulance for her and hung around to make sure that all went well.

Mom is doing fine after five hours in the emergency room. She is grateful for your help.

'Haves,' 'have-nots' in bands are apparent

Congratulations to the high school bands that performed in this past week's public school marching band festival at Aloha Stadium. All the performances were fantastic and honorable.

However, the festival was a striking illustration of "haves" and "have-nots." One could easily see which band programs are supported and valued by their schools/communities and which ones are obviously not. The differences in the complexity of shows, uniforms, support staff, props and equipment could easily be seen, and it's disturbing how the leaders and principals of our public school system have allowed this monstrous disparity.

Driving habits of some are abysmal

What is wrong with Hawai'i drivers and their driving habits?

Recently I encountered a driver who was blocked by another motorist and, without even checking to see if the next lane was clear, proceeded to drift a couple of feet into my lane and drive around him.

And there is the driver who, coming upon stopped traffic due to a turning vehicle and without even the slightest glance, just changes lanes, almost running you off the road.

Or the intersection that you are about to enter when out of the corner of your eye you notice that there is a vehicle driving right through the red light, narrowly missing you.

Why doesn't the state set up a point system via a hotline for reporting these individuals? Then require that if they are reported and verified through means such as interviews, in these and any other unsafe driving practices, that they (1) have their driver's license suspended and (2) be required to attend safe-driving courses, only after which they would they be allowed to take the driver's license road test over again.

Remember, driving is a privilege, not a right. Abuse it and lose it.

Turning admissions policy into race issue is shameful

As a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools, I strongly support their admissions policy and do not believe the time has come for it to be changed to admit non-Native Hawaiian children.

Growing up here in Hawai'i, I bore witness to prejudice and discrimination against Native Hawaiian people and fell victim to it myself. Being only 23, I grew up in a much more modern era, well beyond the civil rights movement, and well beyond the days of the republic and territory of Hawai'i in which racial discrimination against Hawaiians was much more rampant. Yet nearly a century later, while Native Hawaiians have certainly come far in revitalizing and preserving what is left of our culture, we continue to encounter discrimination, and this discrimination continues to pervade our society and cripple our people.

There was a time in my life when I was ashamed to be Hawaiian. I didn't like to tell people I was Hawaiian because I was afraid they would think I was stupid or lazy or useless. I felt the sting of discrimination and I was well aware of the stigma that came with being identified as a Hawaiian. So I hid it. I hid it until I began attending Kamehameha, where, for the first time in my life, I could acknowledge who I was and be proud of it. This is the most valuable gift Kamehameha has given me, and this is the gift that it gives all Native Hawaiian children who are fortunate enough to pass through its doors.

So for people who want to turn Kamehameha's admissions policy into a race issue and have the gall to accuse Hawaiians of racism comparable to the likes of Southern slave owners or the instigators of the South African apartheid, all I can say is, shame on you. Shame on you for turning my people's fight for equality and cultural preservation into nothing more than just another ugly mark in America's notorious history of racial oppression and minority indignity.

Higher standard is essential

I read with interest the Oct. 31 interview with outgoing Mayor Jeremy Harris. From this taxpayer, I would submit that Mayor Harris' tenure is worthy of a C+.

Why only a C+, you ask? Political appointees and those holding upper-level management jobs must be held to a higher standard.

I'm sure there are those on our City Council who must be chuckling at this remark. Back the pineapple truck up because you're included in those remarks.

I'm not speaking of the rank and file of government employees who day after day toil on behalf of the citizens of this city. No, I'm speaking of those persons who head various departments, at hefty salaries. Like the captain of a ship, they are ultimately responsible for the success or failure of their department or division. Yet, are they held accountable? There have been more than a dozen published articles of the failure of those directors to fulfill their responsibilities. After the investigation and the story loses its appeal for publication, these people continue on in their high-paying occupation.

The 'Ewa Villages scandal was discussed in this interview. How did it happen? Mayor Harris cites several excuses, i.e., internal controls and a cagey city employee who knew his way around the bureaucratic process. This is another example of "closing the barn door after the horse escapes." The director of that department should have been continually reviewing the process to ensure that those loopholes and review procedures didn't leave room for a $6 million theft from the people.

Although the man responsible was imprisoned, many feel that the director of that department should have been forced to repay the taxpayers for the loss.

Political contributions! I think The Honolulu Advertiser has given Mayor Harris far too much press on this, while steering away from the Democratic politicians who also received huge amounts from the same people. Why? We, the people, know that there is little chance that this whole illegal political contribution scandal will land on any politician's doorstep. No, some underling flunkie will be found responsible. Again, the captain of the ship is responsible. In my book the, "I didn't know anything about it" just doesn't cut it, whether it be the mayor, the City Council, the previous governor, or members of the Legislature.

OK, City Council, your turn. Recently a private company offered to run a landfill for the city. It was noticed that again our City Council will "have to study" the proposal. Come on, people, it ain't brain surgery. Do we need it? Why do we need it? How much is it going to cost the taxpayers, and how are we going to pay for it? Four steps that could be answered in as little as an hour. Yet our City Council members will hash and rehash this proposal until they virtually beat it to death. And the city will still be without a viable landfill. Too many studies, too much time wasted on those four simple questions, with the result being no action at all.

Last, how many City Council members have been found guilty and either sentenced to prison or fined for their illegal activity? But enough said. The governments of the state of Hawai'i and the City and County of Ho-nolulu have and will continue to do business as usual, and the taxpayers will continue to pay, many out of a shrinking wallet.