INTEGRATED ANALYSIS NEEDED ON DECLINE

Numerous articles and editorials focus on overfishing as the culprit in the decline of resource abundance of our reefs. An integrated analysis is needed.

Simply put, when will the administration request a process and budget reflective of our concern and fulfill its mandate to protect and effectively and sustainably manage our nearshore ecosystems and coral reefs?

If these resources are truly the drawing card of our largest economic enterprise and integral to our island lifestyle and culture, then surely more than 1 percent of our budget needs to be focused on observing, monitoring, understanding, managing and protecting these nearshore assets that remain voiceless.

Simply targeting overfishing is shortsighted and fails to effectively manage the conditions that affect the reef. The fishing community has been asking the DLNR to comprehensively do the job it is entrusted to do. Instead it continues to hear that it would take too long, it would cost too much, only fishing falls under the jurisdiction of the DLNR, and this is simply a fishing-rights effort.

When will we begin to truly care for the coral reef? Let's start!

POLICE CAR CHASES

'NO CHASE' POLICY WOULD BE FOOLISH

In response to Bob Frye's letter (Jan. 12): It may be naivete, or perhaps some members of the public don't see the extremely dangerous effects a "no chase" policy, as he calls it, would have. Every person who commits any violation could just refuse to stop knowing that HPD can't chase them.

Would any DUI driver, fleeing criminal or any of the thousands of Hawai'i residents with warrants ever stop — if they knew HPD couldn't chase them?

High-speed pursuits are inherently dangerous but sometimes necessary. No concrete policy can account for every situation, individual circumstances and discretion must be involved.

LOCAL ECONOMY

SMALL BUSINESSES IN NEED OF OUR HELP

In this time of economic difficulties for all, this is the time we need to act more like 'ohana than ever before. The Hawaiians have always believed we all come from the same two people, and as such we should be supporting each other in the same way. I just returned from a vacation on Maui at Kahana Beach. My wife and I decided to take a vacation locally as opposed to going to the Mainland. I am really glad the good Lord put that on our hearts. It felt good to help out our local brothers and sisters.

Many places have closed on the Lahaina Coast since our last visit about five years ago. Our hope and prayers are the economy turns around soon, but more than that is for those of us who are employed and doing OK, go out and help our small local businesses stay in business. May God bless Hawai'i.

HOTEL ROOM TAX

INCREASE WOULD LIKELY HELP, NOT HURT

With reference to the opinion expressed in a recent Island Voices article regarding the question of increasing the hotel room tax, we might be reminded of the following. (1) Current hotel taxes in Hawai'i are among the lowest of any major city in the U.S. (2) A substantial amount of taxes paid by Hawai'i residents directly subsidize the visitor industry.

Over the many years during which tourism flourished, the providers enjoyed ever-increasing profits accumulated through regular increases in room rates, transportation fees, substantial resort and parking fees. While it is unfortunate that our visitor industry is going through a recessionary period, as are we all, it is highly unlikely that the small increase provided under SB 1111 would deter visitors. Further, isn't it just possible that raising the transient accommodations tax might allow our Legislature to continue to provide needed support to this industry?

TAX INCREASES

TOURISM MAY SUFFER — NOT STATE WORKERS

Thank goodness the state Legislature is upholding its commitment to HGEA members by sticking the rest of us with the exorbitant cost of their labor. The Democratic Party elite will raise taxes and raise taxes and end up killing our tourist industry, but at least no state workers will need to share in the pain, only poor minimally skilled little-educated tourist-industry workers who uphold the lifestyle to which HGEA members have become accustomed. Gov. Lingle is our only hope to stem this tide of unfairness. How ironic.

SYMPHONY FUNDING

FINE MUSIC CANNOT BE COMPROMISED

It isn't lack of crowd that creates the money problems for symphonies. The halls are all nearly full.

It is that paying for a hundred or so musicians plus reasonable support staff with health and retirement fringes is very expensive.

At pretty expensive ticket prices, world orchestras can only get about 30 percent of their needed dollars from "the gate."

Orchestras must rely on government and wealthy donors, like fine art museums. Check out any program to see how much they contribute.

Diluting programs with lesser stuff would only hurt quality and not help financially. In fact it would probably hurt as better educated wealthy donors stayed home and dried up their contributions.

I spent 12 years as chairman of the board of a successful small Midwestern symphony. "Education and exposure" for our youth and our pop concerts help build audiences.

And classical music will probably always be, like a lot of other great art, for the (better educated?) minority.

But note please. The hall was almost full last Sunday afternoon and Shostakovich got a standing ovation and three or four curtain calls. And that isn't pop music.  

CROSSWORDS

NEW PUZZLES ARE UTTERLY FRUSTRATING

I read your column on the problems/difficulty with the new crossword puzzles. I can't convey to you my utter frustration with something that used to be a big part of my day, but now is never finished before I have to go do something else.

The puzzles used to get my day off to a good start. Now I am throwing them away undone. I just don't have time to research answers and that is not the point of a daily "fun" puzzle anyway. Sunday puzzles were more difficult but still doable. No more and no thanks. Bring back the old puzzles.