JAYWALKING

UNDERCOVER OFFICERS NEED MORE TRAINING

While I commend the Hono-lulu Police Department for its recent efforts Downtown to stop jaywalking by using undercover police officers, these officers should be provided with additional training.

Last week I was confronted by a man asking to see my ID. When I asked him why he wanted to see my ID, he said that I had jaywalked and that he was an undercover police officer.

He flashed his badge so quickly I only saw a flash of something silver. I continued walking, and he again asked for my ID.

I asked to see his picture ID, and he became belligerent and intimidating. He never presented his picture ID and instead followed me to a Downtown building. My intent was to get to a public place (where I would be safe) and I knew some people.

This man called for backup and six men arrived. Two uniformed police officers and four undercover officers — a total of seven officers for one lone woman for an alleged jaywalking violation! I willingly presented my ID to a uniformed police officer at that time.

My request to see a picture ID was reasonable and prudent.

I strongly suggest to Chief Boisse Correa and HPD that all of Honolulu's finest be required to present a picture ID when working undercover and to treat all citizens with respect and courtesy, not intimidation.

BURIALS

HOW WILL HISTORY JUDGE HAWAI'I AS A SOCIETY?

A civilization is often evaluated, and judgments made, on how it treats its dead.

I am appalled and ashamed that Hawai'i, in the 21st century, is a society in which it is OK to build over burial sites, run a backhoe over human remains and remove bones without regard for their sanctity or dignity.

If this had happened in Arlington or Punchbowl, an outcry would be heard, and the demonstrators would be called patriots.

But I guess when the bones are Native Hawaiian and the demonstrators are mocked and belittled as "complainers," anything goes.

How will history judge our society?

LARRY PRICE

CONTEXT IMPORTANT IN 'BLUE EYES' COMMENT

I am a dedicated KSSK listener who heard every word of the interview that took place between Larry Price and Sen. Gary Hooser. For those being critical of Mr. Price's "blue eyes" comment, obviously you did not listen to the entire interview or fully understand the point Mr. Price was making.

If you did listen to the whole dialogue and still condemn Mr. Price for his statements, then either you do not vote, or if you do vote, you do not follow Hawai'i politics or care to know how our elected officials are conducting business.

Before passing judgment on Mr. Price for a 15-second sound bite (that got sensationalized by the media), take a look at our problems within our state, then think about the people who got elected who make decisions to better (or worsen) those problems. Then, look in the mirror to see if you are someone who put those decisionmakers there.

SACRED HEARTS

TEACHERS' HULA WOWED AUDIENCE ON MAY DAY

I'm always deeply moved by the students, parents, faculty and staff in schools throughout Hawai'i who work so hard to bring such joy through their May Day festivities.

There were many fine moments in the May Day program at Sacred Hearts Academy this year, but the performance that seemed to move the audience most was when the teachers surprised the kids by performing a well-danced hula of their own.

The children were delighted to discover that their teachers had secretly practiced as hard as the kids on their own hula, and they loved seeing their educators having fun. Well done!

HSTA CONTRACT

UPSTANDING CITIZENS RANDOMLY DRUG-TESTED

Let's see, in Lee Cataluna's column on May 6 she states that random drug testing is "for parolees and residents of halfway houses."

I guess that means that members of the active military, Reserves and Guard, a large number of federal and state employees, truck drivers with a hazmat certification, local members of several unions associated with the construction industry, and many, many others living in the Islands who have no problem with being randomly tested are, or have been, parolees or residents or graduates of halfway houses.

What an indiscriminate shot at so many good people trying to do their best to make our society better — and this from a columnist who usually has a very high standard of journalism. How very depressing.

TRANSIT

HOT LANES WON'T SOLVE OUR TRAFFIC PROBLEMS

HOT lanes do not solve our traffic problems. Where does David Rolf (Island Voices, May 3) think these cars are going to go after they get off the HOT lane?

Also, where are they going to go after they reach their destination? Where do all the parking spaces magically come from? We need money for that, too. After all is said and done, HOT lanes could cost more than rail.

Have any of these people who say rail doesn't work actually ridden a train? Probably not, because I haven't met anyone who is opposed to rail who has actually lived in a city that has a decent rail system, such as New York, Hong Kong, London, Paris, or almost any city in Japan.

Rail is the most comfortable way I've found to travel within a city. And with fewer people driving, both pedestrian deaths and traffic deaths should go down.

HIGHWAY COLLAPSE

BAY AREA COMMUTERS HAD TRAVEL OPTIONS

I travel to the Bay Area frequently for work. The recent collapse of a section of highway in Emeryville linking Oakland to San Francisco via the Bay Bridge points out the need for transportation alternatives.

Bay Area officials noted that gridlock was avoided the day after the accident largely because of commuters taking the Bay Area Rapid Transit rail line, or using the ferries and buses.

The city of Honolulu is correct to pursue a multi-modal approach to transportation via rail, ferry service, bus and automobiles.

This incident in California points out the need to have our mobility options in more than one basket, or riding on one highway.

SALT LAKE

INTERSECTION CHANGES CAUSING CONGESTION

What were the engineers thinking when they opened the new section of Pu'uloa Road from Salt Lake Boulevard down to Nimitz Highway, and then redesigned the intersection of Salt Lake Boulevard and Pu'uloa Road?

There are now only two lanes for traffic exiting Salt Lake onto Pu'uloa in the diamondhead direction toward Mapunapuna. This causes a backup of vehicles on Salt Lake Boulevard and side streets, such as Ala Napunani.

Why was the intersection not left with three exiting lanes, with two for left turns toward the freeway and Tripler Army Medical Center and one lane for crossing over into Pukoloa on the Mapunapuna side?

A concrete barrier and signs could show a new traffic flow and ease congestion at this intersection.

For those of us who live in this area, there has long been frustration with this road work. A little common sense would help.

AGRICULTURE

SEED CROP INDUSTRY MAJOR ECONOMIC FORCE

In the April 29 Focus section, Melanie Bondera stated that the seed crop industry offers "...few benefits to Hawai'i ("Farmers say no to GMOs"). This is not true. The Hawai'i seed industry has a long history of giving back solid economic benefits, diverse career opportunities and substantial state tax revenue.

A study last year by an independent economist under the auspices of the Hawai'i Farm Bureau Federation documents the economic benefits. The study found that the Hawai'i seed crop industry contributes approximately $144 million of economic activity annually to the state through direct and indirect inputs.

In addition to local purchases, this contribution translates to $7 million in annual taxes to the state, $53 million in annual labor income, and more than 2,000 jobs. Crop biotechnology generally accounts for roughly half of the economic contribution.

The seed industry also benefits Hawai'i by providing a wide spectrum of job opportunities for people living in rural areas. These jobs also provide real options to Hawai'i's young people for careers in Hawai'i.

Furthermore, an update from the Hawai'i Agriculture Statistics Service now ranks the Hawai'i seed crop industry as the second largest agricultural commodity in terms of value ($70.4 million), just behind pineapple ($79.3 million) and ahead of unprocessed sugarcane ($58.8 million).

The seed industry has been operating in Hawai'i since 1968 and growing steadily because of the impact and demand for biotech crops around the world.

FOOD GUIDELINES EVIDENCE SHOWS FISH PART OF A HEALTHY DIET

As a food scientist, I know that fish and shellfish play a significant role in a healthy diet, so I was puzzled by the recent University of Hawai'i research reported on May 8.

The scientific evidence supporting the health benefits of fish is overwhelming.

Just in the past six months, landmark studies published in The Lancet Journal, the Journal of the American Medical Association and by the independent Institute of Medicine recommended that Americans need to eat more seafood for its nutrient-dense protein rich in omega-3 fatty acids. We are not eating enough seafood in this country, with the average American consuming only one serving a week.

In its 2005 Dietary Guidelines and Food Pyramid, the U.S. government recommends Americans include at least two weekly servings of fish in their diets.