Brainstorm! Challenge

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Plants are natural food for humans

To Dennis Yuen, who tried to salve his own conscience about eating animals by trotting out the same old "plants have feelings too" argument (Letters, Star-Bulletin, Nov. 26): How does that justify killing and eating animals?

On this Earth there are moving and nonmoving species.The nonmovers provided fruit seeds, nuts, leaves and roots to the moving mammals (including humans); in return, seeds were spread and the Earth was fertilized.

Carnivores controlled the numbers of mammals by eating the old, weak, disabled, sick, dying and dead. They eat skin, bone, intestine, fur, feathers -- the lot, no waste.

Human-turned-carnivore has almost emptied the oceans, destroyed the rain forest, polluted the waterways, eroded soils and inflicted unspeakable cruelty on animals.

However, nature ensures justice. Bowel cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, circulatory disease, mad cow disease, osteoporosis, E. coli poisoning -- all coming soon at a carnivore near you.

For the creationists who do not believe we come from plant-eating primates: Adam was tempted by fruit, not a chicken leg or a lump of cow muscle.

Lois Raynor
Honolulu

Why not let an animal have its own life?

Thank god for Animal Rights Hawaii. This nonprofit organization is constantly and tirelessly working in defense of animals. ARH speaks up for animals, for they have no voice to defend themselves. ARH takes on the defense of any animal, regardless of species. If an injustice to an animal is being done and if ARH knows about it, then ARH is not silent. This includes protesting the consumption of turkeys and pigs by humans at holiday times. Most people and markets don't like to think about where meat comes from, but ARH reminds them.

My prayer for this season is that humans will eat healthy and delicious vegetarian alternatives to turkey, ham and other animal products. Those who do so will feel lighter and happier, and the animals will bless you. Remember, meat is dead animals. Don't put that in your body. Let it have its own life.

Helen Wells
Honolulu

Get rid of fun events to pay for pay raises

Here we go again! I think it is time that the mayor and the City Council wake up see the problem. Granted the police and firefighters need to have their pay increases. Why does it have be in the shadow of increased taxes and fees? Do we really need to have Brunch on the Beach, evening movies on the beach and other such events? The City & County is running on fumes, and yet we spend money like there is no end to these funds.

Does Oahu really need a mayor and a City Council? Why can't those duties be turned over to the lieutenant governor who could really do a better job than those money spenders?

Curtis R. Rodrigues
Kaneohe

Don't belittle the Kodak Hula Show

Larry Helm's front page comment that "this isn't a Kodak Hula Show culture" ("Ceremony at palace marks return of Kahoolawe," Star-Bulletin, Nov. 13) deserves rebuttal. While Helm rightfully rejoices in the return of Kahoolawe, he has perhaps inadvertently discredited the work of other Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians in our history who have endeavored to showcase Hawaiian music and dance to the world.

In 1937, my grand-aunt kumu hula Louise Akeo Silva met with Fritz Herman of the Eastman Kodak company. She proposed her idea of a "little show" for visitors to Hawaii, featuring Hawaiian music and entertainment. The world in 1937 was a different place. World War II was not far off, and without the technology and ability to freely travel that we have today, life experiences were limited to the areas individuals had been raised.

Aunty Lou's "little show," known as the Kodak Hula Show, became one of the longest-running continuous performances in Hawaii. It was seen by an estimated 10 million people over a span of 65 years.

The Kodak Hula Show, although famous for its hapa haole entertainment, was by no means limited exclusively to that genre. However, the hapa haole music that some Hawaiians now look upon with disdain actually paved the way for the beautiful renewed interest in ancient Hawaiian music and dance we see today. The countless dancers and musicians who are part of the extended Kodak Hula Show ohana can attest to the value of such a production because it showcased Hawaiian music and dance in a way that was respectful to people of all cultures. The Kodak Hula Show embodied the meaning of aloha.

Let us never forget the contributions of others who have kept the spirit of Hawaii alive over the years. Those contributions should never be discredited in such a joyful time as this.

Fred Kamaka Jr.
Honolulu

AARP has wandered from its purpose

The AARP waited for a really big bill -- the Medicare overhaul bill that just passed the Senate -- before they sold out our membership. Please be advised they no longer speak for me. Now let's get to work to get the special-interest-oriented Republicans out of the White House and state Legislature.

Robert G. Devine
Ocean View, Hawaii

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[ BRAINSTORM! ] Dirty gutter talk Those orange rolls that highway engineers have been shoving into storm drain openings -- there must be a more efficient or practical or attractive way to filter out road debris. These things are about as useful and pleasing to the eye as huge, discarded cigarette butts. Send your ideas, drawings and solutions by Thursday, Dec. 17 to: brainstorm@starbulletin.com Or mail them to: Brainstorm! c/o Burl Burlingame Star-Bulletin 500 Ala Moana 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Fax: Brainstorm! c/o Burl Burlingame 529-4750