FALLON RESIGNATION

TRUTH, INTEGRITY FIRST CASUALTIES OF IRAQ WAR

As a former soldier, I appreciated Thomas Farrell's March 13 Island Voices column about Adm. William Fallon's resignation, but I also have disagreements and questions.

Farrell states it righteous to not defy civilian authority. On the contrary, soldiers are legally obligated to disobey unlawful orders, just as the Declaration of Independence demands citizens "to alter or abolish" its government when it's become destructive to the people and democracy.

Why do dissenting generals get acknowledgement and maybe fired at worst, but the thousands of enlisted soldiers who oppose war get contempt and imprisonment for refusing to fight in wars for oil and power?

Even a junior officer like 1st Lt. Ehren Watada is condemned as a coward or traitor, while generals can dissent — usually behind the safety of retirement. Why does Fallon get credit for integrity, while soldiers from the frontlines criticizing the war get scorned or ignored?

Gen. Eric Shinseki wasn't "the first casualty of Iraqi occupation," as Farrell alleges. The first casualty was the truth, followed by national integrity for allowing the exploitation of the soldiers for murderous political and economic interests.

'IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU'

HUNDREDS HAVE FOUND SEX-ED PLAY BENEFICIAL

I am shocked and dismayed to find that a presentation at Kahuku High turned into a condemnation of the show, "It Can Happen to You."

Staff writer Eloise Aguiar reported in a March 22 Page One article that "the play was so graphic and disturbing that some students and teachers walked out."

What about the hundreds of people who found it beneficial? A parent even said, "Pornography is the kind of stuff in your mind you can't erase. It's going to be in those kids' minds for years to come." Did he see the show? No, but I have.

The play was presented at schools while I was teaching on the Leeward Coast. No one ever complained or walked out. Instead, the play engaged students with the consequences of uninformed sexual behavior.

The show's power is in not sugarcoating facts.

The play is now in its 11th year, and has toured at many schools. It has garnered awards and grants. To call it into question now is truly a sad state of affairs.

PARENTS CAN USE PLAY TO DISCUSS BELIEFS, VALUES

Many parents would prefer that their children practice abstinence from sexual activity until marriage. But the reality is far different. More than 98 percent of young Americans engage in sex before marriage, and about 3,600 Hawai'i teens become pregnant each year.

Hawai'i has the 12th highest rate of teen pregnancy in the U.S. and ranks sixth for chlamydia, a sexually transmitted infection that can result in infertility. Recent research shows that one out of four youth will acquire a sexually transmitted infection.

Young people need to know that abstinence is effective in preventing pregnancy and STDs and should be encouraged to practice abstinence. We also need to educate young people about how to protect themselves if they choose not to abstain from sex. We teach children how to cross the street safely, because we know that some day they will be exposed to traffic risks. We should also prepare our youth with the knowledge and skills to manage sexual and reproductive health issues that they will face.

The award-winning play, "It Can Happen to You," educates young people about the risks of sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies. It teaches teens how to protect themselves if they are sexually active and encourages thoughtful decision-making before engaging in sexual activity.

Rather than criticizing the content of the play, parents should use this controversy as an opportunity to share and discuss their sexual beliefs and values with their children.

EGG THROWING

STUDENTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN CHARGED IN CASE

I cannot believe the police didn't charge those Saint Louis students for egging homes. My van was egged when I parked overnight on a Mililani street. I could never get it cleaned off completely. As a result, the paint was ruined forever.

I believe these students should be punished by cleaning off the homes. In addition, they should be expelled from playing sports as long as they are at Saint Louis.

Everyone should be accountable for their actions.

This is a blatant disregard for other people's property. Letting them go with just an "apology letter to the school" is not enough.

Not charging them with vandalism sends the wrong message to the youth of Hawai'i.

OHA SETTLEMENT

AGREEMENT WILL NOT AFFECT 'GLOBAL' CLAIMS

As one of the original Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees, I am upset Senate leaders are balking over a long-overdue settlement that will help countless Native Hawaiians.

This agreement is solid and will not affect so-called "global" claims. It settles the funding dispute that began when I was sworn in as an OHA trustee more than 27 years ago.

I am also distressed that some former OHA trustees and a current trustee are engaging in a campaign to misinform and scare the Native Hawaiian community.

These senators who want another nine months of meetings to make this agreement pono forget that they demanded OHA take this deal to the community this session and also insisted OHA prepare a report on those meetings by March 26. OHA conducted dozens of such meetings. I was at the Maui meeting and spoke in favor of the settlement.

But before OHA could forward its report, certain senators killed the measure.

Let's hope House members have the guts to stand up to the fringe elements of the Hawaiian community who intimidate and shout down those in the mainstream who favor this important measure.

SENATE SUCCUMBING TO ANGRY ACTIVISTS

The recent closing of Molokai Ranch is a sad story of how the angry and unreasonable voices of a minority of Moloka'i residents caused the rest of the Friendly Isle to suffer. After a lengthy consultation with the community, Molokai Ranch agreed to turn over 50,000 acres to a public trust to maintain the open space lifestyle of Moloka'i in exchange for the right to develop a high-quality residential project at La'au Point.

The loud activists caused the politicians to stop the project. Now 120 residents are without jobs and Moloka'i will not be getting the 50,000-acre trust and revenue in perpetuity from the development project.

A similar thing is happening with the OHA proposed settlement. The Senate is succumbing to angry activists. The settlement is a reasonable compromise. Leaders can never satisfy everyone. If the Senate does not like the settlement, then improve it but do not lose this golden opportunity like Moloka'i did. Life is fragile and full of examples of where an un-acted upon opportunity today becomes a forever-lost opportunity tomorrow.

SB 958

PROPOSED TARO BAN NOT BASED ON EVIDENCE

I appreciated the editorial in opposition to SB 958. The proposed 10-year moratorium on taro research is a reaction to fear of the unknown. It's not based on scientific evidence.

I'm not a biologist, but I'm no stranger to science. I have a Ph.D. from MIT. I understand the science behind genetic engineering, so I do not fear it. My family and I eat genetically engineered crops, including Rainbow papaya, without concern. We also eat taro, and aren't concerned about one day eating genetically engineered taro.

I'm a strong proponent of science- and technology-based education and jobs in Hawai'i. These jobs will allow the residents and children of Hawai'i to compete in the global economy and maintain living standards.

In May 2007, Gov. Linda Lingle signed a law designed to help transform the state's economy from one "based on land development to one based on innovation and developing Hawai'i's human capital."

This transition will be a journey that will not occur overnight. SB 958 is a huge step backward on this journey, and it sends the wrong message to our citizens. It says that we can ignore science and technology and facts when they don't agree with our political objectives.

MOLOKAI RANCH

INVEST IN MOLOKA'I, FOSTER A SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC BASE

With Molokai Ranch threatening to close its operations, the people of Moloka'i will be severely challenged to find creative ways to support their 'ohana.

In response to the people of Moloka'i's opposition to its development plans, Molokai Ranch has pulled a typical large-landowner-in-Hawai'i power play.

Playing the victim, they insinuate they will be unable to continue to provide jobs and wages if they are unable to complete their development. We should call them on their bluff, even if it's not a bluff.

Let Gov. Linda Lingle provide for the people of Moloka'i through unemployment benefits, job training and family support. Let the Legislature create conditions conducive to small and entrepreneurial industries on that island.

Let the people of that island chart a new course for themselves, one not dominated by the interests of a few large stakeholders.

In times of economic uncertainty, it is said that those who gain are those who are willing to invest when the outlook looks bleakest. If we invest in Moloka'i, we can help foster the sustainable and diversified economic base that all the people of Hawai'i wish for our state.