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Letters
to the Editor

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Saturday, July 1, 2000

Divergent views
on longline fishing

Protesters are missing the crux of issue

All the folks in an uproar over the restriction of longline fishing are completely missing the point. Judge David Ezra has put more value on the quality of an environment -- that we all are a part of -- than a couple hundred jobs.

Thank you, Judge Ezra, for your commitment to this position, and shame on all the whining fishermen who can't see past their own self-centered wants. Jobs can be replaced or re-created. Populations of species cannot.

This shouldn't even be an issue.

Rob James

Longliners employ appalling practices

As an observer for over a decade for a variety of programs, I am pleased by Judge Ezra's ruling. Because of local fishing practices and National Marine Fisheries Service policy, my work as an observer for the Hawaii Longline Observer Program in 1994 was the most depressing of my observer career.

Daily, I witnessed the dumping overboard of hundreds of lightsticks, huge tangles of monofilament fishing line and large plastic bags of plastic garbage. NMFS policy prohibited observers from reporting violations and fishermen were not concerned about illegal dumping at sea.

I saw hundreds of sharks attached to lines off the stern, twirling by their jaws until either the lines broke or their jaws were severed. Thousands of albatrosses are killed annually; one observer witnessed over 100 albatrosses killed in one trip.

Many vessels are ill-fitted for the sea, costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in rescue efforts. Whether people know it or not, they have already been paying a huge price for that swordfish on their plates.

Elizabeth Mitchell
Eugene, Ore.

Protect sea turtles when they are babies

Because of the problems it will cause, I am strongly against banning or placing some kind of restriction on longline fishing. Supply will be reduced, causing fish prices to escalate to the point where a lot of people won't be able to afford buying.

I'm aware that sharks, turtles, birds, seals, etc., are being caught along with the fish, but not to the extent that it's hurting the environment.

If the environmental people are so concerned about the sea turtles, why not capture the babies and release them when they double in size from birth, since their chances of surviving to maturity are less than 10 percent?

Jim Murai

Environmentalists force their beliefs on others

I am beside myself with anger that Judge David Ezra would impose such a drastic change of diet on Hawaii.

I probably eat a hundred pounds of fish every year, and the same amount of other seafood. But now we will have 11 million pounds less of fresh fish available here because of the ruling.

These environmental zealots are not friends of our island community. They wish to impose their attitudes and beliefs on us.

We are island people. We understand that the resources of the environment are finite but renewable. Don't let these zealots impose their ignorance on us.

I reject their condescension displayed against me and my islander values and lifestyle.

Charles M. Kaaiai

Humans commit genocide on sea life

Thank you for two related articles in your June 22 issue -- "Sealed for the season" about the banning of lobster fishing to give monk seals something to eat, and "New state laws ban shark finning."

The stories highlight a life-threatening problem: Sophisticated fishing technology empowers humans to commit genocide on ocean creatures, and many species are gasping for survival. Dead oceans mean a dead planet. Strict regulations are needed.

The Hawaiians regulated fishing according to Mother Nature's rhythms, and supplemented ocean catches with loki i'a (fish ponds). It's time to embrace Hawaiian wisdom by honoring timeless ocean cycles and supplementing our meat hunger with fish farms.

Howard C. Wiig

Quotables "We are really a nation of closet mystics. There is a huge cult of fairy believers that seems to have come out of the woodwork." Marcia Zina Mager HAWAII RESIDENT AND AUTHOR On her new self-help book, "Believing in Faeries: A Manual for Grown Ups" "We're in the middle of a ghost town." Claudia Nakachi PRINCIPAL OF BARBERS POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Describing what was once a thriving area with kids filling its classrooms, but which is very different since the military closed its Barbers Point Naval Air Station a year ago. Renamed Kalaeloa, the community is now filled with neglected fields, abandoned housing and deteriorating facilities.

Parents should lobby for safer sports fields

Al Chase's June 22 column calling for George Toma to "share his knowledge" in seminars to discuss athletic field management was timely, but fell short of the goal posts.

Almost anyone can make a field green with enough water, fertilizer and time. But what about the safety factor in athletic field maintenance? Toma will tell anyone that the best insurance is a safe playing field.

Sports injuries cause absenteeism in school and the workplace, cut short sports careers and cost our economy in terms of disability payments, stress in the workplace, etc. The condition of playing fields can be a big factor in the gravity of many of these injuries.

I am continually amazed that athletic adults, particularly parents whose children are active in sports, are not boycotting many of the fields on which their sport is being played.

Is the turf thick and springy? Is the ground under the turf hard as cement? Is there grass? Even the kids know which fields they prefer playing on.

Their parents should be writing indignant letters to those who have the responsibility of maintaining the fields, and express their expectations for safer playing grounds.

Rosa Asuelo

Jackson understands Kalihi residents' needs

This fall, Kalihi residents have an opportunity to vote for a candidate who understands our community's needs for vital services, such as expanded and reasonably priced day care, affordable housing, job creation and the improvement of education.

Johnny Jackson, who is running for the state Senate seat in the 14th District, is committed to making government work for all the residents of Hawaii.

As chairman of the Reform Party in the islands, he took a political party that was dead and made it inclusive to everyone.

As vice president of Puahala Homes Tenants Association, he has made "Unity in the Community" a reality.

All of us who have worked with him believe he will be the most effective advocate for Kalihi and the state.

LeeAnn Houde and Vicky Milo

Crime is plaguing our neighborhoods

When are we going to stop unnecessary burglaries throughout our state? We need to form more community watch groups to keep an eye on our homes and children.

We need to let our law-abiding citizens bear arms to protect their families and properties. Hawaii must be wiped free of any criminal activity.

The reason I'm writing is because I'm very hostile at the moment. Our home in Waipahu, right on Farrington Highway, was just robbed in broad daylight. My family was very fortunate that, this time, no one was hurt.

Come on, Hawaii! We need to wake up and help each other out! If you see something unusual going on at your neighbor's house, call 911 right away.

Teddy Kamai
Waipahu

Here's one reason to vote against Gore

The largest tax increase in American history was created by Vice President Al Gore a couple years ago, when he voted to break a tie in the U.S. Senate for a tax increase. Please remind voters of this event.

Alwin Shinkawa

State brief is no friend to those in need

We strongly oppose the state attorney general's amicus brief regarding Garrett vs. University of Alabama. As the amicus is no "friend" to persons with mental health needs and with disabilities in general, we urge the governor to withdraw the brief.

The state Department of Health, in recent testimony at a neighborhood board meeting, cited the Americans with Disabilities Act as the primary reason for keeping a program for mental health consumers in downtown Honolulu, despite community opposition.

This is an example of why the federal law is needed here: The ADA creates a level playing field for persons with disabilities. Where are similar protections in state law?

Howard Lesser
Chairman
State Council on Mental Health

Send a long-distance prayer to Alyshia

Reading about an innocent little girl's life struggle against the "flesh-eating" bacteria, necrotizing fasciitis, was so painful (Star-Bulletin, June 28). What agony her parents must be going through.

Since I believe in the power of group healing -- sending out positive vibrational thoughts -- I ask everyone to take a moment to pause and simply close your eyes. Take a deep breath and send wishes of love, peace and strength to 5-year-old Alyshia Shimizu. She is in Shriner's Hospital in Sacramento, Calif.

David Miho

Graveyard brought reminder of sacrifice

First, thanks to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team veterans for their magnificent bravery and devotion to duty. Especially significant are their Medals of Honor, bestowed 50 years after World War II.

We island people have a saying: "No talk stink about others, and shut your big mouth and no talk about the good deeds you have done." Their achievements have set a high goal that our third and fourth generations will have difficulty matching.

Second, I had a memorable experience during a 1995 visit to Florence, Italy. I went to a U.S. military cemetery outside of town where eight members of the 442nd RCT are buried -- three Caucasian officers and five nisei enlisted men.

As I knelt to say my prayers, I noticed the "odd" home states of the five -- Wyoming, Idaho, Arkansas, Colorado and California. Strange, I thought, because the issei immigrants seldom settled so far inland.

But as I reboarded the tour bus, the truth hit me. Huge tears filled my eyes.

The hometowns of these soldiers were actually the locations of U.S. internment camps -- Heart Mountain, Minidoka, Rohwer, Granada, Manzanar. These "kotonks" were homeless, their families barbarously ousted from their West Coast homes. There was no place to call home.

You know, maybe these guys may want to return and be buried on U.S. soil and be close to family relatives. Maybe they have waited 50 years for this propitious moment. Maybe they want to come home.

Roy M. Iwamoto
U.S. Army Veteran

Reclining sculpture has friends and admirers

By Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
"Resting Lady," a bronze sculpture by Tuck Langland,
watches the traffic go by at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.

I just want folks to know that it's another Judy Hill, not me, who doesn't appreciate the statue of the relaxed lady on the grounds of the Blaisdell Center (Letters, June 26). Art is food for the soul and, every time I see that statue, I feel a sense of relaxation and joy that I live in Hawaii.

A woman relaxing and communing with nature is a wonderful role model for our children.

Judy S. Hill

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Personally, I love the resting lady sculpture (Letters, June 26)! Her pose and stature are reminiscent of one of Degas' dancers at rest. And her position on the lawn of the Blaisdell Center, Honolulu's venerable venue of cultural performances, seems perfectly appropriate. I enjoy "meeting" her every time I go by.

Janine Brand

Pearl Harbor Shipyard needs more support

I am in almost complete agreement with the excellent June 27 article about the current state of affairs at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, but I take exception to its closing sentence: "The shipyard now handles all the repairs and overhaul needs of the Pacific Fleet's 13 surface vessels and 21 submarines based at Pearl Harbor."

Currently, the shipyard lacks the manpower and the modernized infrastructure to handle all repairs to all homeported naval ships. While progress is being made, the shipyard still borrows a considerable number of workers from the mainland. Homeported ships are still being sent to mainland shipyards.

In my humble opinion, and I freely admit my bias, to make the closing sentence correct would require the following:

Continued support and expansion of the apprentice program, bringing in 100 or more apprentices annually for the next several years.
Aggressive recruitment of mechanics and engineers in the next four to six years.
Suspension of incentive-induced retirements until sufficient local hires are in place, trained and qualified.
Increased spending on the piers, dry-docks and buildings.

John Priolo
Director, Federal Managers Association
Chapter 19, Pearl Harbor Shipyard/Area

Highway at Kipapa Gulch is a danger to motorists

For the past five years, there have been at least one major fatal accident and numerous other accidents or near misses on Kamehameha Highway at Kipapa Gulch. The latest occurred a little over a week ago, when a 21-year-old college student was killed at Kipapa Gulch.

Investigators claim that drugs, alcohol or speeding were not factors. If that's true, this area is unsafe. Doesn't the state Department of Transportation (DOT) have a responsibility to ensure the safety of all motorists?

A cement divider or other device needs to be installed at Kipapa Gulch. Traffic is very heavy on this stretch of road. I have experienced near misses when trying to avoid oncoming cars straying into my lane.

When questioned, a DOT spokeswoman said there were no plans for improvements at Kipapa Gulch. Perhaps more fatal accidents have to occur before any action is taken.

S. Rego

Mililani

DOT used good sense in delaying H-1 roadwork

Thanks should go to the state Department of Transportation for waiting for the International Lions Convention to be pau before it started repaving H-1 freeway.

Carolyn Walther

City is being hard-headed about Hanauma Bay

As a longtime East Honolulu resident, I have followed the letters and articles about Hanauma Bay with great interest. Concerns about the proposed development plan keep appearing.

Why doesn't the city face the fact that, with so many questions still unanswered, these ill-conceived plans need to be reconsidered?

Freda Hellinger

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