Why is it that Larry Ellison “wants to turn Lanai into an agriculture pioneer using high-tech greenhouses” (“Fresh ideas,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 6)?

Are there serious shortages of tomatoes, cucumbers and herbs on Lanai? Are there important nutrition problems? Is the major purpose to provide high-end produce for spas and hotels on Lanai? Will most of the produce be shipped out?

Why not begin with innovations in poorer places where there are serious needs?

Agriculture has already been transformed by modern technology. The examples of sugar and pineapple come to mind. Many of the hungry people in the world have been displaced from their traditional forms of agriculture, or serve as laborers on large farms owned by others.

If high-tech greenhouses on Lanai are the solution, what is the problem?

George Kent

Hawaii Kai

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Military has adapted to changing times

First, I want to thank retired Cmdr. Garry P. Smith for his service. However, I disagree with the theme of his letter, “Military no place for social experiments” (Star-Advertiser, Aug. 1).

Smith said, “Military service … is a privilege obtained by the few who meet rigid mental, physical and moral standards.” Yes. If they pass the tests, let them do the job.

Smith thinks hormonal therapy should disqualify people from the military. What about service members getting therapy for PTSD, or sexual assault in the military, or alcoholism? Should they be kicked out too? He further says, “One day a supervisor is male, the next day a female, and service members have to conform or be branded as bigots.”

As the armed forces gradually accepted different people of U.S. society, yes — one day a supervisor who was traditionally a white male could the next day be black, female, Jewish, Muslim, gay, etc. If you aren’t a bigot, you can accept your competent supervisor.

The military was a vital component of our nation’s greatest “social experiment” — the American Revolution.

Sean Goodspeed

Ala Moana

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Superferry operators should come back

I agree with all the points of Deborah Yamaguchi’s letter on the Superferry (“Superferry provided valuable services,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, July 27).

The concept of families taking vacations to neighbor islands with their own cars especially appeals to me.

But sadly, it was not done properly. In these days of government regulations, the proponents did not complete the required environmental impact statement. If done properly, no one can stop it.

So, I encourage the Superferry developers to continue trying and some day we will have a Superferry plying between the islands.

Glen S. Arakaki

Kamehameha Heights

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Monitor solicitations by kids on roadsides

Almost every weekend now I see kids at Roosevelt and Fort Barrette roads with baskets asking for money for various things. This week it was, “Send us to cheerleading nationals.”

There are several things about this that are troubling. The last two weeks, it has been different kids, but the same adults. There was no indication of who “us” is.

Are we talking about a Little League team or a school organization, or something that is not on the level?

Finally, kids holding out baskets troubles me. If this is a legitimate need, I would support a bake sale, car wash, or any other traditional fundraising method. The use of kids is intended to make us feel compelled to give, but these kids just look tired and hot. This activity needs to be monitored.

Kent Sharrar

Ewa Beach

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Language no barrier to succeeding in U.S.

I had to comment on “Trump backs plan to cut, alter legal immigration” (Star-Advertiser Aug. 3).

Both my grandfathers came from Italy. One read and played music well enough to play in two symphony orchestras.

The other grandpa operated, and later owned, a light and power plant in a rural southern town. Later he served on a two-state levee board. His English was flavored with Irish with a southern flavor because he married a southern belle.

Without these two I wouldn’t be here, and without the wide mix of immigrants who may or may not speak English, I don’t believe America would be as great as it is.

Who knows what hidden talents these people may bring? Be careful on altering our national and local flavor.

Oh, and by the way, my No. 1 grandson’s mom comes from Hong Kong, so I guess our family is keeping up the tradition.

Joseph Demarke

Aiea

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Canoe racing needs better local coverage

Last Saturday, the Hawaiian Canoe Club won the Hawaiian Canoe Racing state championship regatta on Maui for the 15th time in its 19-year history.

Sportswriter Kyle Galdeira did a great job accurately covering the event, which every year involves thousands of islanders of all ages, islands and backgrounds. But the Star-Advertiser chose to bury the story on Page C6 of the Sunday paper (“Hawaiian strikes again, claims state crown,” Star-Advertiser, Aug 6).

On the Sports section’s front page, above the fold, was instead a story about University of Hawaii football coach Nick Rolovich’s shave-ice truck. Really, guys? Did the photo you ran show the club that actually won? No.

Canoe racing is Hawaii’s recognized state sport and those involved have dedicated hours of donated time, sweat and love to keep it alive.

The sport needs the recognition and support of the paper. It also needs the support of the city and state instead of being shuttled off to the filthy Ala Wai Canal or Keehi Lagoon. We can do better.

Kaui Philpotts

Makiki

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Don’t encourage monk seals in town

If you continue to publish photos of monk seals in Waikiki, the public will never grasp the notion that we ought not to have these wild animals in an urban population.

They ought to be returned to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The concept is not even debated largely due to your publication.

William King

Hilo