HI-5¢ DONATIONS COULD HELP BUDGETS

Another way for local high schools to supplement their slashed athletic budgets is to ask local residents to put their HI-5¢ recyclable containers out the same day as the city recycling pickup except in a separate container designated for the local high school in their area.

Local high schools could then make a quick run through neighborhoods picking up the recycle items and convert them to cash. Sure, it requires a little more effort on everyone's behalf. This would not only supplement a one-time donation but will continue to benefit high school sports throughout the year.

I for one would much rather give my hard-earned money (the state-taxed recyclables) to my local high school sports programs than have the city, whose taxes and fees know no limit, use it on another over-priced, over-budget, under-audited and delayed project.

Pat Kelly | Honolulu

'HEARTBEAT HAWAII'

CRITICS SHOULD KNOW WHAT SHOW IS ABOUT

As soon as I arrived in Honolulu to open the history-making action-musical "Heartbeat Hawaii," I have been harassed by some people annoyed by the lack of traditional Hawaiian elements in the show and irritated by the use of Chinese artists from Beijing. Your anonymous writer in the TGIF section of July 24's paper is another prominent example. His or her ignorance about the mission of the show is unflattering for your publication. The writer's lack of knowledge about the style and virtuosity of international-caliber Chinese dancers is also pitiful.

Our company was invited to use "dance-crobatic" Chinese artists to produce a multicultural fusion show that is more like a Las Vegas revue in this intimate showroom/theater. There was never any intention to do a show with significant Hawaiian cultural leanings.

I was told by many locals that "Waikiki nei" failed before because it was too "Hawaiian." In addition, I can truly represent many tourists in saying that, as a frequent traveller, I do not like shows in any location that try to teach me authentic local cultures. For most people, it is a vacation they are after, not an exercise in learning.

Dennis K. Law, M.D. | Director/producer of "Heartbeat Hawaii"; president and CEO, The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts; president and director, Sight, Sound & Action

KOHALA FISH FARM

STATE MUST ADDRESS RISKS, COMMUNITY

Nine out of every 10 pounds of harvested fish will be shipped out of Hawai'i, from the fish farm planned off North Kohala. Two pounds of feed will be shipped in to produce each pound of farm fish. Some 1,200 pounds of fish a year, 20-plus jobs, and returns for investors is all Hawai'i will gain. What will we risk?

Twelve cages, each 30 yards across, will float untethered 1,300 feet deep, dependent on new propulsion technology to hold them against currents, storms and tsunamis.

Disease from farm fish, caged off from culling by predators, may cause epidemics in wild fish. Drugs and antibiotics may not help, since residues may linger in the fish, and spread into the ocean from fish droppings. Vaccines take years to develop.

Two hundred fifty acres of public ocean waters will be used for private profit. More's coming — Hawai'i is the only state that allows ocean leasing. Two existing fish farms plan expansion. Three more may start up.

We urge that upcoming hearings for a Conservation District Use Permit be held in West Hawai'i and well publicized. We urge that the state address all risks, and "incorporate ecological perspectives," like the Hawaiian fish pond, to "integrate fishing, aquaculture, and conservation."

Cory Harden | Sierra Club, Moku Loa group

UNION LEADERS' PAY

ARTICLE FAILS TO PUT INCREASES IN CONTEXT

As a proud union member, I take issue with the potentially misleading subtext of the Honolulu Advertiser's Aug. 2 front-page article on Hawai'i union leaders' salaries. Readers may get the mistaken impression that our elected union officers are unresponsive to the suffering of some of their members during these hard times.

The article's main flaw is that it compares apples and oranges. While it paints a portrait of today's economic climate, it cites yesterday's salary decisions — all of which were probably made prior to last summer's sudden proclamations of impending economic collapse.

As one example, the membership of my union, ILWU Local 142, voted in 2006 to give our officers a pay increase effective 2007 through 2009. At the time, the U.S. economy was growing with no sign of an approaching recession.

Yet in the more current period in which the article is set, ILWU officers have voluntarily taken pay cuts, cut staff salaries and positions, and trimmed programs as well. Furthermore, the supposed increase in our president's earnings 2007-2008 appears — even in the Advertiser's own chart — to come from his personal investment income and not from members' dues.

Patrick De Costa Jr. | Waipahu

CITIZEN PATROL

CRIME WATCHES ARE A GREAT INSPIRATION

Regarding Mary Vorsino's article about Kalihi Valley Homes residents patrolling to minimize crime ("Residents' patrol tries to stem crime at Kalihi housing project," Aug. 6), I admire the women who started the patrol, and it is terrific that the tenants have now responded so positively to make their neighborhoods a safer place. Participating in crime watch during the night hours is very commendable.

Having moved here in January from Venice Beach, Calif., to attend UH-Manoa, I know how easy it can be to turn a blind eye to crime and not get involved. Living in a neighborhood where gunshots, drug trafficking and helicopter searches are still common, at times staying indoors and not getting involved was the safest option.

I hope safety and success follows these patrollers in making KVH and other neighborhoods safer to live. Local media should continue to cover the positive progress of these citizen patrols, and with 42 out of the 67 public housing projects without tenant associations, more work can and needs to be done for safe, positive communities.

What a great inspiration for the younger generations within these neighborhoods.

Nadine Gillespie | Honolulu

ECONOMY

SO MUCH FOR THE EFFORTS FROM D.C.

If it was not so serious it would be amusing to read the news accounts that Obama has got the economy back on track.

We are still in a post-bubble credit collapse, wages are deflating, credit is still contracting, banks are still going under, the majority of all corporations have no revenue growth, the auto industry is still in decline, unemployment is increasing to double digits, the private sector is stymied by the threat of increasing taxes, and on and on.

The legislation from D.C. for hundreds of billions of dollars for bailouts and alleged "stimulation" of employment, the insidious carbon tax, and the proposed trillion for national health is going to break our collective backs and rob us of the freedoms to choose everything, from what auto to drive, to what doctor to see, to what radio station you may wish to listen to.

Thanks but no thanks, Mr. President/Congress.

Mark Desmarais | Honolulu