The list of advantages goes on.

I encourage everyone who is interested to learn more about agricultural biotechnology and the exciting doors it opens in creating a better world.

VOUCHERS

COMPETITION WOULD MAKE SCHOOLS BETTER

I read your recent editorial "Spending choices best left to schools" and felt the need to correct one important thing. The editorial implied that education in Hawai'i is underfunded. The problem isn't that there isn't enough money; the problem is that the money is misspent by the politicians and bureaucrats who dole out the funds.

Hawai'i spends approximately $11,000 per student in the public schools. A brief review of information available from the Hawai'i Association of Private Schools (2003 data) shows that few private schools approach this figure.

Just looking at the private schools available on the Big Island, where I graduated, shows that the overwhelming majority of private schools spend far, far less than Hawai'i's public schools.

The difference is that the private schools must compete and offer themselves in an education marketplace. Competition forces them to be efficient and not waste their customers' money. Monopolies, like Hawai'i's public schools, do not face the same pressures.

Hawai'i's public schools have plenty of money; they are just inefficient.

The answer is vouchers — give parents the opportunity to choose their children's schools. That will force public schools to compete for students and make them more efficient.

FOOD SHIPMENTS

DEVELOPMENTS KEEP HAWAI'I OIL-DEPENDENT

I am all for renewable energy — windmills, wave energy, geothermal, solar panels, deep-sea air conditioning — let's use all of them. But let's also be honest: These methods of generating electricity are not why we are oil-dependent.

What would happen if the boats stopped coming in to Ho-nolulu Harbor? How long would we survive? Two weeks? Three? The reason we are dependent on oil is that we ship in most of our food. Without oil, we would starve, no matter how many hybrids, solar panels or windmills we have (again, I fully support renewable energy).

As long as land that has been designated as agricultural is allowed to be developed and replaced with time-shares, we will always be dependent on oil.

MEDICAL CARE

TRIPLER'S BAD APPLES ARE THE EXCEPTIONS

Without diminishing nor in any way denying the anguish and trauma some families felt from their Tripler experience, I want to add my own personal experiences with Tripler Army Medical Center.

At first I thought I was reading an article in the National Enquirer, when on the Feb. 5 front page — larger than usual — was your story on Tripler. After 38 years of being a Tripler patient, after four major operations there, I have nothing but praise and admiration for the hospital in general and for the individual care and concern I have always received.

My daughter died there after six weeks of their trying everything to keep her alive. Our entire family was included in each decision that was made. Their professionalism and understanding of our sorrow was amazing.

Once again I can categorically say that Tripler would rate A-plus against any hospital. My brother-in-law ran 23 highly rated hospitals in the Midwest, so I am aware of problems that all hospitals have at times. I also know there is the occasional doctor who makes terrible errors (a large hospital has many employees and like any large organization, it has the bad apple). But I do think there should have been a more balanced article.

DEFENDER

DON'T MOCK ARMY ON WEAPONS DUMPING

In his criticism of weapons dumped at sea 60 years ago (Letters, Feb. 12), John Witek proceeds to insult the U.S. Army, mocking "our 'defender' " for its "occupation ... desecration and pollution of Hawai'i ..."

Witek was surely not in Honolulu when the bombs were falling.

My dad lost many comrades who gave their lives defending Hawai'i and our nation during World War II so that Witek could have freedom.

TO TAX OR NOT TO TAX —

AY, THERE'S THE CITY RUB

Decisions, decisions. Hamlet never had it so hard.

What to do about my $80-a-month rent increase, triggered by my landlord's 69 percent rise in property tax payments?

Live leaner and a little meaner, oatmeal and raisins, but skip the banana? Hunt down empty cans and bottles? Rig up an outdoor clothesline? Screw in energy-saving light bulbs? Check out our local open market? Move to an oceanside location with a Diamond Head view — say, Kapi'olani Park? Auwe!

Our neighbor, faced with a $1,060 property tax increase, is also a bit perplexed. Should she raise her two cats' rent and risk their moving out to Makiki Park? Should she trade in her grass shack for an igloo in Alaska? Does the sudden $250,000 paper increase in her property's value make her richer? Or is she really just $1,060 poorer?

Perhaps the city's property tax assessment policy could stand some tweaking.

When tax increases are tied to a handful of recent sales prices, aren't the winners mostly short-term speculators out for a fast buck, along with wealthy nonresident buyers able to drop their tax burden on renters?

Aren't the losers mostly long-term owners and renters who have little to show for their steadfastness except higher taxes and rents?

Aren't the new revenues generated by O'ahu's recent building boom enough to keep taxes at a more manageable level?

Isn't it advisable to place some sort of cap (well below 69 percent) on year-to-year tax increases?

Isn't it possible to lower the tax rate while maintaining the new "feel-rich" property valuations?

Questions, questions.

SPORTS HALL OF FAME

SCHWITTERS, TANUVASA WORTHY OF THEIR HONORS

Regarding the 2006 inductees to the Hawai'i Sports Hall of Fame joining the ranks of such notables as Duke Kahanamoku, Tommy Kono and Wally Yonamine, to name just a few: Jim Schwitters and Maa Tanuvasa brought great honor to the Aloha State in their devotion and dedication to their respective sports.

For those of us who were fortunate to attend the 2006 Induction Banquet at the Ho-nolulu Country Club on Feb. 7, it was a very special and extremely proud moment for all. Both athletes, besides what they accomplished in their careers, stressed tremendous appreciation for all those who helped them along their journey. It is said that reaching the highest ranks of life and the Hawai'i Sports Hall of Fame is the ultimate for those in athletics in Hawai'i. Jim and Maa exemplified so much humbleness and down-to-earth demeanor.

For Maa, having had a very successful career with the two-time world champion Denver Broncos and coming out of public school, Mililani High School, his true character of giving back to the community shows in his commitment of now being a part of the football coaching staff at his alma mater. How can you not have the highest respect and love for one who gives back just as much as he has received?

For Jim, having been the longest-tenured coach in Division I tennis in the nation and having won over 1,300 matches by coaching both the UH men and women teams for decades speaks volumes of his untiring love of this game. Besides being a top-ranked player for decades in the Hawai'i open and seniors divisions, his great sportsmanship on and off the court speaks loudly of who he is as a person of highest moral character.

Both men, as coach and as athlete, are deserving to be part of the history and sports legacy of Hawai'i. They both have made all those connected to them, whether as family, fans or competitors, very proud of their entry into the Hawai'i Sports Hall of Fame.