HAWAI'I

TOURISTS ARE SOURCE OF INCOME FOR RESIDENTS

Toby Morris' letter ("Public growing weary of masses of visitors," March 15), is a protectionist and elitist attitude toward tourists and new residents to our beautiful state.

Tourists are a primary source of income for a good portion of our hard-working local residents.

If not for tourists, we would not be enjoying a record low unemployment rate.

And as to newcomers, they have the right and privilege to move here or anywhere else in the United States as they wish.

HOMELESS

RENT CONTROL IS ONLY REAL HOUSING SOLUTION

An 8- by 10-foot cubicle in a noisy warehouse-size shelter is not a home.

Rent control. It's the only real solution to the homeless crisis in Hawai'i.

When will government officials stop wasting money on stopgap measures and get to the root of the problem — ridiculously expensive rents?

MAYOR, GOVERNOR OUT OF TOUCH WITH PLIGHT

It appears to me that Gov. Linda Lingle and Mayor Mufi Hannemann are out of touch with the homeless plight and the social impact on Hawai'i, as more and more people are forced out of high-rent dwellings only to call parks home.

There are solutions to this epidemic, and I often wonder what it will take for our elected public servants to act, perhaps when there are 50,000 homeless on the street or perhaps when one of the mayor's or governor's friends or family become a part of the homeless ranks because they can no longer afford aloha.

FOOD

OPEN DEBATE NEEDED ON GMO PRODUCTS

I would like to applaud the Hawai'i Crop Improvement Association's belief in laulima (cooperation), but the biotech industry in general has a very poor record of open debate and discussion on genetically modified food.

Labeling proponents of open discussion on the issues involving GMO as "anti-science" is a game of smoke and mirrors that distracts from the fundamental debate.

A moratorium on genetic engineering allows the community as a whole to weigh in on this research.

Why shouldn't democratic debate extend to issues concerning the food we eat and grow in Hawai'i?

This debate should emphasize the "precautionary principle," which puts the burden of proof that these products are safe to eat, safe for the environment and beneficial to the economy or the producers.

The great claims by the biotech industry that GMO products will reduce problems from pests, alleviate world hunger and malnutrition, and solve our economic woes have been backed by more resistant insects and weeds, genetic pollution of wild and non-GMO plant species, and a great financial boon to a very few in these multinational corporations.

Open debate is needed, and our many public voices should be engaged in deciding what we do and do not accept from our corporate "sponsors."

MILILANI

'ANGEL' THANKED FOR ANONYMOUS GOOD DEED

On Saturday, Feb. 3, I took my mom to the Mililani Town Center to do some shopping. It was a very windy day and I didn't realize a bill that I was going to mail to my credit card company had blown out of my truck when I opened the door.

The envelope was stamped and addressed with my check inside.

Some five hours later, after I realized that I hadn't mailed the bill, I searched the truck for the envelope. It didn't take long for me to realize that it was gone.

I realized that the envelope was floating around somewhere in the shopping center's parking lot, containing not only my check with all pertinent information (account number, address, signature) but also my credit card statement with my account number.

In this day and age, with the constant threat of identity theft being drilled into our heads, all I could do was expect the worst.

Fortunately, some wonderful angel found the envelope and mailed it.

It is so nice to know that there are still honest and caring people in this world. We thank you so much for your kind deed.

VACANT SEATS

NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD RULE CHANGE NEEDED

As citizens, the Neighborhood Board system is our first link in the government chain.

Since neighborhood boards have no legislative authority, it is imperative they listen and consider all points of view, and follow the will of the people in their actions. Board members are elected every two years, and with the upcoming election, I want to highlight a problem that can have a serious effect on objectivity.

The problem is that boards have the ability to "fill" vacant seats by appointing new members. If a board member leaves midterm, the board may appoint someone to fill the seat, which means people can be placed on the board without being elected.

This can lead to "stacking" the board with members who have views on a particular issue that most board members agree with. This leads to a lopsided board that votes a particular way, drowning out the voice of the people.

The rules should be changed so that any vacant seat stays vacant until the next election or the person with the second highest number of votes from the last election is contacted to fill the seat, and only if needed to meet quorum requirements.