Alien species should be top funding priority

Hawaii needs more funding to combat invasive species. A story published Aug. 25 in the Star-Bulletin noted the many threats to our environment: miconia, brown tree snakes, coqui frogs, fountain grass and pampas grass, red imported fire ants, Kahili ginger.

An estimated $50 million annually is needed to fight these threats, according to the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species. We now spend less than $10 million. This is one of the wisest investments we can make. By waiting until a crisis situation occurs, the costs skyrocket, and we could very well lose some of our native species, not to mention irreparably harm our agriculture industry.

To increase the funding for the fight against invasive species, the state could create a dedicated fund. The Sierra Club supported a measure last session, Senate Bill 2972, which would have earmarked 1 percent of airport landing fees and 1 percent of port entry, wharfage and demurrage fees collected each year for invasive species control and prevention. Since alien species enter through our airports and harbors, this makes a lot of sense.

Please urge your legislators to support increased funding for the fight against invasive species.

Randy Ching
Executive committee
Sierra Club-Oahu

Anderson's a man with a realistic plan

I am a lifelong Democrat and I like Andy Anderson. He has a realistic working plan for Hawaii. He proposes a pineapple lottery with the proceeds to be used for children's classroom needs. Some say this idea is bad. Why? Queen Liliuokalani had a lottery in 1892, and the proceeds were to be used for education and health of her people. However, the revolutionaries did away with the plan.

Andy strongly believes education for the children of Hawaii is the No. 1 priority, and the lottery is one way to raise needed funds.

His plan for a fuel authority to reduce gasoline at the pumps is an innovative one. Who else but a successful businessman could come up with such an idea?

Anderson believes in moving this state ahead.

Alfred Akana

Pedestrian stoplight needed at Ewa road

The flashing crosswalk signal now being planned for the location where Marilene Bacani died on July 9 was installed first in Nuuanu but then rejected for a much safer pedestrian-activated stoplight.

The stoplight, not a flashing crosswalk light, is what the Ewa Neighborhood Board voted for and what the Bacani family wants. Unfortunately, our current representative continues to push for a $2 million "underpass" at Fort Weaver Road.

At best, should funding be found for the widening, the underpass wouldn't be ready until 2006 or later. We cannot wait that long for someone else to be killed. Because the community seems unable to force the state or our representative to install a pedestrian-activated stoplight for maximum safety, a group was organized called Safety Alliance for Ewa (SAFE). The purpose of this organization is to lobby the governor to divert the funds already scheduled for installation of a new stoplight at Honowai Street and Kunia Road that would allow Sen. Cal Kawamoto's constituents to cut across Kunia Road in order to get to Wal Mart faster.

A tragic accident like the one on July 9 shouldn't be allowed to occur again because the state and our representative fail to act responsibly.

R. Cabanilla
Ewa Beach

Babe Ruth players deserved coverage

I would like to bring to your attention the accomplishments of a fine group of baseball players, the Hawaii Babe Ruth 13-year-old baseball team. My family and I had the privilege of watching these young men in action at the regionals, and again at the World Series.

The team was only one win away from the game for the national championship and had beaten both the runner-up and the eventual champs in earlier games. They worked extremely hard and represented Hawaii well.

It is unfortunate, though, that the Hawaii media did not see fit to publicize their accomplishments. The team got more coverage in the mainland papers than they did in their hometown publications -- how you figgah?!

Congratulations and thanks to the coaches: Jon Santiago, Randy Hodson and Josh Awa. Congratulations to the Hawaii Five O: Aaron Awa, Kapono Chang, Channon Coloma, Kendall Hodson, Michael Kahalehoe, Derek Kiyabu, Colin Kodama, Ande Kuakini, Parker McCready, Rick Miyamoto, Bryce Montalbo, Quinton Petersen, Aaron Santiago and John Worthington. We are all proud of you.

R. Miyamoto

Hotel strike would devastate Hawaii

I've been a Local 5 union member for more than 25 years and have sat on its negotiating committee. Local 5 financial secretary-treasurer Eric Gill dismisses the current economic problems in the United States caused by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks as a sympathy ploy on the part of the hotels to avoid giving us a fair contract. He refuses to acknowledge the difficult times the American economy is facing and insists on following a personal agenda that has no room for dissension. His continual rejection of members' opinions and feelings has reached epic proportions. The previous union leadership is blamed for all woes and contrary opinions.

Gill has lost touch with the very people he is supposed to be representing. A strike in our industry now will cripple our whole state just as we are trying to rebuild it.

Fran Kauwe
Kaneohe

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