Buying local really matters

Like many others, I mourn the loss of the Japan Airlines flight between Kona and Japan.

The almost 1 million yearly visitors will surely be missed.

We need to view this loss as a chance to improve what we offer visitors and ourselves, perhaps by learning to again share what makes Hawaii special to us. Focusing on the aina and agriculture tourism is a good place to start.

A renewed dedication to agriculture and its importance to the community is essential. There are estimates that only three or four days of food for the entire population would be available if we are shut off from the mainland.

What can you do? Plant a home garden. If you are in a condo or apartment, plant a pot of tomatoes, basil or radishes. Visit a farmers market. When you go to shop, make sure you are buying local.

We must buy local. It really does matter.

Hannemann has had ‘real’ jobs

J. Ford Murray seems to believe Mufi Hannemann should find a private sector job instead of seeking to lead the Democratic Party of Hawaii ("Hannemann needs real job," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Oct. 29).

First, Hannemann is not seeking that post; that suggestion was made by the Star-Advertiser’s Richard Borecca and certainly did not emanate from Hannemann.

Second, last we heard, the Democratic Party was a private entity, not a government one.

Third, Hannemann has plenty of private sector experience, having been an executive for many years with C. Brewer & Co. and a business consultant for many more.

A look at Hannemann’s past support and endorsements provides ample evidence of Hannemann’s backing among business and private-sector labor leaders and his understanding of the issues facing the economy.

Fixing this mess will take time

It all seems futile but as Americans we must think deeper and have more patience for our economic recovery. You can’t turn on the rice cooker and expect to shortcut the timer without having undercooked rice.

President Barack Obama and Congress have done so much and yet the polls show that most of Americans don’t even know what has been accomplished.

Rice is not cooked in minutes. We need to wait it out before we vote back into the Bush world, which put us all in this misery in the first place.

Anonymous gift was nice gesture

I wanted to publicly thank the person(s) who paid my restaurant bill.

On Monday, I had lunch with another police officer at the Anna Miller Restaurant. We were dressed in uniform, and before completing our meal, the manager came up to us and informed us that someone took care of our bill.

Now, this is not something that happens on a regular basis and, to our surprise, the customer who took care of our bill wanted to remain anonymous.

On behalf of myself and my partner, with due recognition to all those who serve as police officers (because that is to whom this kind person is really showing his appreciation), mahalo and mahalo big time.

This gesture reinforces my faith and belief that the work I do is appreciated.

Developers should contribute to alternate energy research

Continued development on our islands must be responsible development. We have reached our peak and developers should no longer act solely as profiteers.

I urge the leaders of our state to establish a fund for progressive research and development in alternative energy and conservation of resources. Somewhat like the Arts in Public Places fund, in which a percentage of the construction costs of new buildings is designated to the acquisition of artworks, developers should be required to contribute to a research fund for alternative energy and sustainability practices.

Gone are the days of developers taking and taking, and leaving the residents to live and deal with future consequences. This is our home. We should all respect that.

People like David Murdock of Castle & Cooke, Kimo Greenwell of Kyo-ya Hotels and Stanford Carr, among others, need to step up to the plate.