Editorials

Thursday, April 18, 1996

Microwave antennas pose
safety question

STUDIES have not indicated that microwave antennas serving digital cellular telephones are unsafe, but some people are concerned. The long-term effects of living or working underneath such apparatus may not be known for a while, but precautions should be considered to deal with concerns over health risks while accommodating the antennas.

As reported by the Star-Bulletin's Richard Borreca and Rob Perez this week, Western Wireless Corp. and PrimeCo Personal Communications are offering to pay building owners and government representatives thousands of dollars annually to plant their antennas on various rooftops or high perches. That can mean as much as $50,000 a year for some condominium associations. In the public sector - in Hawaii's budget-conscious school system, for example - that could lead to extra money from leasing out "high-level" space.

One communications company official says the energy emitted from an antenna, which transmits as well as receives, is comparable to a 60-watt light bulb. But antennas emit a different type of energy, so the comparison is not exact. While studies have focused on the short-term exposure to high levels of electromagnetic radiation, those findings are not conclusive regarding exposure over longer periods.

The arrival of telecommunications firms offers encouragement that Hawaii will gain a competitive foothold in the global economy. It also means growth of technology and more jobs. Pearl Imada Iboshi of the state Department of Business and Economic Development believes that "the future lies with a strong technological infrastructure or we will get left behind."

One way the state could deal with the situation without being "left behind" might be to consider the desirability of encouraging digital cellular companies to plant future antennas at locations at a distance away from residences and workplaces without reducing their effectiveness - such as on a football-field light pole. But in the absence of evidence of health hazards no government mandates of this sort seem warranted. Decisions as to location of antennas should be left at the discretion of the companies and the owners of the buildings affected.


Other editorials, in brief:

A fine idea or not

TIMES are tough. It's gotten so bad that Honolulu may one day implement the ultimate user fee - a service charge on every convicted criminal. Under a bill referred by the City Council Budget Committee to the full Council, every defendant found guilty of a crime would be required to pay a $250 "criminal user fee." The money collected would go into the general fund or be funneled directly into the budgets of the prosecutor's office and police department. If the bill passes, it would certainly bring new meaning to the adage, "Crime doesn't pay."


Fighting terrorism

LAST year's bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City caused a feverish, bipartisan effort in Washington to restrict the rights of accused terrorists in appealing their convictions. Driven by the political winds, President Clinton is encouraging Congress to rush through an anti-terrorism bill by tomorrow's one-year anniversary of the Oklahoma tragedy. It would be a mistake.





Published by Liberty Newspapers Limited Partnership

Rupert E. Phillips,CEO

John M. Flanagan,Editor & Publisher

David Shapiro,Managing Editor

Diane Yukihiro Chang,Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor

Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner,Assistant Managing Editors

A.A. Smyser,Contributing Editor



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