National fisheries service isn't the enemy

It is very unfortunate that Bill Mossman (Letters, Dec. 15) feels that the National Marine Fisheries Service is the enemy. I am an avid fisherman as well as a student majoring in marine zoology at the University of Hawaii-Manoa.

Granted there are many countries that are breaking the laws regarding fishing in international waters, but looking at the NMFS as an enemy is disheartening.

I am on the side of the fishermen, but the facts must be looked at hard. The fisheries of the world are dying. Scientists are being ignored. Agencies such as the NMFS are interested in preserving the livelihood of the fishermen, but its main concern is the livelihood of the fish stocks. When all the fish are gone, what do you plan on catching?

The problem is that the fishermen are stuffing money in the lobbyists' wallets to pass unrealistic fishing quotas. The prices of fish are going to rise no matter what. The bag limits need to be stricter.

There are many who disagree, but it would be nice if the future generations actually have fish to catch and put on the dinner table. At the moment we are driving many common food fishes to extinction. Don't be surprised when you see fishes like marlin, mahi, au and several tunas on the endangered species list.

Keith Demain
Via the Internet

June Jones deserves a mountain of leis

Congratulations and happy new year to June Jones!

The University of Hawaii Rainbows and Fresno State were chosen WAC co-champions because their win-loss records were the same, 7-3. I feel strongly that UH should have been chosen the champion since it beat Fresno State. WAC regulations should be amended to reflect this.

Jones came back to his alma mater and turned the Rainbows around. What a job he did! The fans showed their gratitude by filling the stadium to the max. The fans were starving but no more. Jones overcame many obstacles and accomplished an almost impossible task.

Yoshi Fuji

Quotables "Many of us have worked hard in the community to change the image. We are there to show the younger generation what can be done." Faith Evans Head of the Puerto Rican Centennial Commission On using the 100th anniversary of Puerto Ricans' arrival in Hawaii to bring recognition to their history and culture "Even if it is a concern, it's better than not being in a clear-air venue at all and being with all the fireworks outside." Austin Dias Member of the Safe Haven 2000 committee On going to the regular midnight movies at Signature Theatres at Dole Cannery and Wallace Theatres at Restaurant Row to avoid smoke from fireworks on New Year's Eve

Double standard reigns over language

Why is a mainland tourist who struggles with local words and phrases considered a "stupid haole," while a local who butchers standard English by using pidgin is considered a promoter of a multicultural form of self-expression which is to be cherished?

Language is a science. Like any other science, it has a set form of rules and formulas. Pidgin incorporates dialectic regionalisms. These variations of common usage exist throughout the world in various forms.

To say that pidgin is a separate language is hogwash. It might be fun to experiment with the laws of any given science, but if a consistent outcome is the goal, then the published rules must be followed. For this reason we do not practice pidgin mathematics or pidgin chemistry.

Although pidgin was once useful in creating a common, simplified version of the language in order that various ethnic groups could communicate on a basic level, it is also responsible for the thousands of miscommunications that occur on a daily basis.

The most commonly used word in Hawaii seems to be, "Huh?" Pidgin can be fun, but to elevate it to legitimate English is a joke and an insult -- plane and cymbal.

Gary Bosch
Via the Internet

Homeschoolers seek ways for kids to socialize

As a longtime homeschooling parent I was saddened to read the Dec. 18 letter to the editor by Willis H.A. Moore titled, "Homeschooling isolates kids from peers."

Most homeschooling parents recognize that their children need relationships with other peers and adults and go to great lengths to ensure these relationships are cultivated.

Homeschooling allows children to develop a more balanced set of relationships not only with peers and adults in their communities but with their families as well. Homeschoolers are often mature, confident and independent young people.

Without the chaotic background of peer dependency that can destroy social lives of school students, homeschoolers are able to nurture healthy, close relationships with people. While these friendships may have some of the difficulties that are found among schoolchildren, they are also not bothered by the school's social web, its cliques, groups and shifting betrayals.

The forces of socialization are complex. Homeschoolers and their families are involved in their communities. Homeschooling means that parents take responsibility for the education of their children, but that does not mean that parents are the only people in their child's life.

Moore is concerned with maintaining our fragile social consensus and he sees homeschooling as one force that will contribute to the demise of social unity. I encourage Moore and others who share his concerns about homeschooling to get to know more than one homeschooling family. Homeschoolers are an incredibly diverse group.

Jeanne Ferrari-Amas
Lihue, Hawaii

Banning fireworks would led to illegal use

Fireworks are part of our great American tradition. Millions of Americans love to use and enjoy fireworks. A ban would most likely lead to the proliferation of illegal explosives such as M80s, blockbusters and quartersticks, which can cause serious injury or death.

The consumer fireworks used today are of the highest quality, safest and most spectacular fireworks ever made. Moreover, on New Year's eve a vast majority of Americans will ring in the new year with consumer fireworks and trick noisemakers. There are sound ways to address both sides of this issue -- establish designated permissible use areas for the public to safely use consumer fireworks, limit the type of consumer fireworks that are permitted to cut down on the smoke that is created.

A ban would be the wrong approach and most likely lead to increased injuries since there would most likely be no effort to educate on how to use fireworks safely. A lot more effort should be given to this issue to find a sensible solution.

Julie L. Heckman
Executive Director American Pyrotechnics Association
Bethesda, Md.
Via the Internet

Editor's note: The American Pyrotechnics Association is
the premier trade organization of the fireworks industry.

Legislature Directory
Hawaii Revised Statutes

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