AIRPORT SURVEILLANCE WORKS WELL FOR ISLES

We are disappointed that an elected official and some media outlets have chosen to play on the public's fear of a pandemic instead of reporting the facts about the H1N1 influenza outbreak.

Hawai'i is the only state with an ongoing airport surveillance program with on-scene diagnostic capabilities.

It is important for the public to know we have expanded our surveillance program to include not only international flights, but also domestic flights and incoming cruise lines at our harbors.

The departments of health and transportation prepare for events like these throughout the year. Suggestions such as those in The Advertiser's editorial (April 30) only serve to distract the public. Dr. Sarah Park, our state epidemiologist, has made it very clear that voluntary surveys and unproven heat-sensing technologies wouldn't necessarily add anything to our surveillance program's effectiveness.

Instead, we will continue to focus our energy on methods that have worked successfully at our airports for the past four years, and on training more of our partners to recognize flu-like symptoms so our surveillance network is strengthened.

The public needs to know we are addressing the ever-changing national and international situation in daily conference calls with CDC and Homeland Security, and doing everything in our power to keep our kama'aina and traveling public safe.

JOHN HENRY FELIX

CATALUNA COLUMN UNNECESSARY ATTACK

Lee Cataluna's column (April 26) lambasting John Henry Felix is not just in bad taste but blatantly nasty and abusive. Whether or not Lee's position is valid is beside the point. John Henry's public service record and his genuine desire to serve District 3 were totally negated by Lee's unnecessary attack on him. Publication of this sort of journalism demeans the quality of The Advertiser, especially since The Advertiser fairly voted to endorse him for the council seat and is a media partner of the Jefferson Awards for Public Service.

John Henry heard about Lee's column while attending a Red Cross fundraiser, an organization he's been associated with for more than 70 years. Since 7 a.m., he had been volunteering as a phone banker for Hawaii Public Radio, which he founded. Wednesday, he was Manti Te'o's sponsor at an Eagle Scout dinner.

I wonder what Lee will be doing while John Henry is busy making positive differences in other people's lives?

HANSON

COMPARING TORTURE, PIRATE KILLINGS WRONG

In his commentary "Will the real Obama please stand?" (April 30) Victor Hanson blithely compares torture, or, as he says, "enhanced interrogation techniques," to the execution of Somali pirates holding an American hostage, implying President Obama capitulates to the left on torture yet green-lighted the death of the kidnappers. This is twisted logic.

The way we treat prisoners of war is governed by the Geneva Conventions and no matter how "quaint" or unsuitable you may think they are, it is what the world, and the United States, has agreed upon. It is what sustained our POWs during Vietnam, it is what protects our soldiers if they are captured and it is what we use to prosecute the Slobodan Milosevics and Saddam Husseins of the world.

Killing the Somali pirates is like a policeman shooting a perpetrator in the middle of the crime. Someone is trying to kill you, the cop shoots the would-be murderer.

To compare torture to what our Navy SEALS accomplished is wrong. We are the good guys and the Victor Hansons of the world need to realize we need to act like it to claim the title.

ECONOMY

UNIONS, SOCIALISM NOT THE ANSWER

President Obama and Neil Abercrombie claim that government involvement and stronger unions are the cure, rather than the cause of our job losses. Most people would agree that two $45,000-per-year jobs are better than one $90,000 job.

The reason for our unbelievable debt level with China is cheap labor. U.S. labor unions have priced U.S. employees beyond the economic feasibility level, resulting in the decimation of manufacturing jobs in the U.S.

For every worker at Ford or GM, there are two who are retired, drawing pensions, medical insurance and other benefits. That translates to a cost of more than $150 per hour currently worked. The UAW is lobbying for the bailout of U.S. automakers. Ironic, since they have done everything possible to take profits away from them.

Unionism and festering socialism are not the answer. Taxing viable businesses to support the nonviable will not produce a positive outcome. Individuals and small businesses cannot share the fruits of their labors to support government inefficiency.

If this economy is to turn around, governments at all levels need to operate like businesses, with the requisite sound fiscal management. No more Robin Hood economics!

SHARK FEEDING

LET'S JOIN TOGETHER TO BAN DANGEROUS TOURS

The East O'ahu community has clearly spoken out against a shark tour operation in Maunalua Bay. Tour operators have left, but they may return or go elsewhere. We do not want shark tours in Kaua'i, Maui, O'ahu, Moloka'i, Lana'i, Hawai'i island and Papaha-nauomokuakea.

We know sharks are all around us in the ocean; however, the community safety is compromised by the manmade congregation of sharks in Hawaiian waters for commercial gain.

Shark tour operators speak about teaching ocean education. However, we learn about the ocean from our kupuna and the experts in our communities: our fisherman, boaters, paddlers, surfers and swimmers.

We have learned of serious allegations of shark feedings taking place off Kawaihoa Point for nearly two years. This has recklessly endangered our community.

No shark feeding at all (aka chumming or palu) is allowed in state or federal waters.

Let us have faith in our community and let each and every one of our community voices join together in a chorus and let it be known we do not want shark tours in Hawaiian waters.

Please join us in creating state legislation to ban shark tours statewide.