GILL NETS

LAY NET RULES WOULD PROTECT MONK SEALS

The death of the 5-month-old Hawaiian monk seal pup found drowned in a lay gill net off Waimanalo is inexcusable.

As a Hawaiian spearfisherman of 35 years, I am offended that the state has allowed this type of net fishing to be done irresponsibly, which threatens not only our precious marine life, but also violates the Hawaiian way of taking only what you need.

I have seen unattended gill nets with dead, rotting fish more times than I can remember. And have witnessed with disbelief the indiscriminate harvesting of large communities of reef fish by commercial fence netting. And it makes me cringe to see precious life wasted by these means, and our resources suffering irreparable damage. Why isn't more being done by our government officials at the State DLNR, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA to protect our ocean resources? How could they allow one of the most endangered species on Earth to drown in a gill net? Our ocean can no longer afford the careless use of these nets. What happened to the good ol' days when we took from nature only for the sustenance of life?

ELECTIONS

SUPPORT LINGLE AGENDA WITH CANDIDATE CHOICE

Some people still feel it is too much effort or that it does not matter if they vote. But they are missing out on a great opportunity to make a very real contribution and to let their voices be heard.

We showed four years ago that we were ready to dramatically change the state administration by electing Gov. Lingle and Lt. Gov. Aiona. We need to not only re-elect Gov. Lingle and Lt. Gov. Aiona, but we also need to vote for legislators who will support their programs for the benefit of all of us. Use this tremendous opportunity to help make it happen.

And if anyone still thinks their vote does not matter, just remember that in this year's primary election, Mayor Baptiste of Kaua'i received just one more vote than the required votes needed for re-election. Please remember that every voter has the potential to be that "one."

SHARING CREDIT FOR THE STATE'S GOOD ECONOMY

Gov. Linda Lingle's fancy TV ads, paid for by big Mainland contributions, are claiming credit for Hawai'i's good economy.

Let's not forget that it was the State Legislature and Gov. Cayetano's tough budget cuts and tax cuts for the middle class that stimulated the economy in the first place.

Republicans seem to have a double standard. When President Bush encountered a bad economy, he blamed it on Clinton, his predecessor. But when Lingle has a good economy, she takes credit for it herself. Auwe.

CLARIFYING CANDIDATES MAILER ON KA IWI

In his campaign against A.J. Halagao for the State House, candidate Gene Ward mailed a flier to Hawai'i Kai voters featuring a photo of the Sandy Beach-Ka Iwi Coalition banner and members of our group.

Unfortunately, the photo gives a false impression that the Ka Iwi Coalition is supporting Gene Ward.

We want voters in East O'ahu to know that Ward included the photo in his flier without the Ka Iwi Coalition's knowledge or consent.

Candidate A.J. Halagao also strongly opposes "vacation cabins" on the Ka Iwi coastline and has directly supported our efforts.

The Ka Iwi Coalition welcomes support from all candidates and public officials to keep the scenic Ka Iwi coastline in open space in perpetuity.

THIELEN SIGNALS BREAK WITH BUSINESS AS USUAL

In 1992, I was introduced to Cynthia Thielen by her son Greg. I have been proud to have her here in Kailua for the last 14 years as our forward-thinking representative.

As Americans, we need to think beyond our next dollar of pork to tackle real long-term problems such as education and our dependence on oil.

Cynthia Thielen is committed to passing legislation that will increase federal funding to give teachers more technology and training in the classroom, as well as push forward legislation to increase energy efficiency in our automobiles and buildings.

Fast forward another 15 years: Will we Hawai'i residents be on our way to greatness with the Class of 2021 and our decreasing dependence on oil, or will we have crumbled under the weight of "business as usual?"

HOMELESSNESS

LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING HURTS US ALL

Rob Perez's series on the plight of the homeless on the Wai'anae coast highlights the kind of suffering that is going on because of our lack of affordable housing. The number of people who are homeless or living in overcrowded conditions keeps going up. Even families that do have a home are going broke from the skyrocketing cost of buying and renting.

In response to this continuing problem, what is the number of affordable housing units built by the state in the last four years? Zero. In this election season, there is lots of talk from the Lingle administration about affordable housing, but the reality is that, because of their inaction, things have gotten worse.

JUNE'S TEAM

JONES BEARS BLAME FOR DISCONNECT WITH FANS

In his Oct. 23 column about the lack of UH football fans at Aloha Stadium, Ferd Lewis cites some possible reasons, but ignores a big one. Many fans have lost respect for the arrogant head coach June Jones, and are showing their disapproval by not attending games.

How did all the good feelings from 1999, Jones' first year as coach wash away? This used to be Hawai'i's team. It belonged to all of us, and brought us together.

It's no longer Hawai'i's team. It's June's team. He's made that increasingly clear each season, telling the fans in words and actions, "You don't like it, tough, it's my team!"

Ax the popular names Rainbows and Rainbow Warriors. Change the colors from green and white to black and silver. Reduce the amount of live UH band music in favor of canned sound effects. Most telling was his statement: "The UH football program had no tradition before I got here."

This year's talented (6-2) team has the respect of all UH fans. The disconnect has come in response to the arrogant coach.

A little humility and acknowledging that he is just the current coach in a proud program that has a long history with many great coaches and players who came before him might help put more fans in the stands. But he doesn't seem capable of that.

Go, Bows!

STRYKER BRIGADE

SUPPORT MILITARY TRAINING IN HAWAI'I

Native Hawaiian groups represented by attorney David Henkin of Earthjustice should heed the grave concerns expressed by Lt. Gen. John Brown III, Commanding General, HQ US Army Pacific. General Brown is not "playing his emotional card" in expressing his views on the urgency of transforming the 2nd brigade to a Stryker combat team.

The 25th Infantry Division is Hawai'i's division, established in October 1941 on Schofield Barracks. It has served the nation well and plays a vital role in meeting the security needs of the U.S. It was selected as one of six units to be transformed to a premier combat unit — indicative of the division's critical role in U.S. defense strategy for the Pacific.

But the division's presence in Hawai'i requires that the Army be able to keep its soldiers combat ready. This includes being able to transform to a Stryker Brigade Combat Team in preparation for deployment to Iraq in late 2007.

The process started some 18 months ago with the approval of the Environmental Impact Statement for the transformation plan. The Army issued contracts to construct world-class training and support facilities for the Stryker brigade and other ground forces. With construction well under way and training scheduled for completion by November 2007, the brigade and its soldiers should be prepared to deploy to Iraq on schedule.

But Earthjustice has filed an injunction that could now force the Army to stop all Stryker-related activities. Stopping construction work would cause long delays, waste tax dollars and endanger jobs.

A stoppage in troop training is unthinkable, so it will force the Army to complete training outside Hawai'i.

Moving some 6,000 troops and tons of equipment will cause delays and force adjustments in the training schedule. This will result in major cost increases and several more months of separation for families already faced with enduring a one-year deployment.

With the Army having met all requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act, including completing a supplemental EIS, Earthjustice's move to file an injunction is the wrong thing to do.

Native Hawaiian groups represented by Earthjustice should withhold any further action until the supplemental EIS is completed. Surely they must realize that the Army has acted in good faith in protecting the environment and is a willing partner in working collaboratively to satisfy their concerns.

As General Brown stated, "We are a Nation at war." We must ensure that our soldiers are fully trained before deploying in harm's way.