Pahala biofuels plant could endanger birds

There are so many negatives of the proposed biofuels plant in Pahala, one could write a book about its bad consequences.

One thing people are not talking about is the risk to indigenous birds in the area. Native birds don’t like eucalyptus trees, which Aina Koa Pono-Kau is supposedly going to use for the plant. Such a scenario would likely lead to the extinction of native birds.

Eucalyptus trees also deplete the soil of important minerals that could be used instead for produce or diversified agriculture. Pahala could feed the rest of the state if diversified agriculture were pushed rather than a pollution-creating biochemical plant.

Yes, I say ‘a‘ole (no) to the biochemical plant proposed for Pahala, because, there are too many negative components to its creation. The people of Pahala want their community to be a special and unique area. The extinction of various native birds would really be sad.

Isle residents have right to defend themselves

George Quarles shows he has little understanding of the facts and personalities involved (“Hawaii doesn’t need more guns,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Sept. 2).

The suggestion that Chris Baker find a new line of work implies that Quarles would prefer to let the whims of violent criminals dictate the actions of law-abiding citizens. This is patently absurd.

Additionally, all of us in Hawaii have a vested interest in keeping the island pristine to preserve the tourism-based economy, but allowing the lawful carry of firearms by the citizens of our state has little, if anything, to do with the influx of tourism.

Shall-issue permit systems have become the norm across the country, and it’s time for Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha and the Legislature to start recognizing the natural right of Hawaii citizens to defend themselves from criminal predators.

Don’t tamper with North Shore’s beauty

I live on the mainland; Oahu is my favorite vacation destination in the world, and I have stayed at the Turtle Bay Resort on multiple occasions. For what it’s worth, I am writing to express my strong opposition — as a tourist — to the proposed commercial expansion on the North Shore.

The wild, unspoiled nature of the North Shore is what makes the area in general, and Turtle Bay Resort in particular, so incredibly unique and inviting. Tourists who come to Hawaii simply to hang out on a beach, eat, drink and shop can do so to their heart’s content in Waikiki or Ko Olina. I have never heard a single person say they canceled a vacation to Hawaii because there weren’t enough hotel rooms or condominiums available.

There are sprawling beach resorts on coasts everywhere. But nowhere else in the world is there another stretch of wilderness quite like Oahu’s North Shore. It is unique, compelling, magical and irreplaceable.

Results are only thing that matters at schools

Our schools are failing, according to No Child Left Behind. Our education bureaucracy doesn’t like that news, and now tells us: Don’t worry, be happy. Our schools have excellent accreditation reports (“Schools’ ratings help shape progress,” Star-Advertiser, Sept. 6).

Apples versus oranges. Inputs versus outputs. What we really care about is whether the kids come out of the schools with knowledge and skills, not whether the schools themselves have good funding, plenty of teachers and cooperation among parents, teachers and administrators.

The operation was a success but the patient died — that’s unacceptable. Our education bureaucrats and teacher unions want us to pay attention to inputs. But we must insist on judging the results.

It’s misleading to use word ‘undocumented’

People who object to our immigration laws should petition Congress to change them. They should not advocate ignoring them. What other laws can people choose to ignore?

They insist on calling illegal immigrants “undocumented.” It is a vague and polite term. I suggest we start a program to pardon Bonnie and Clyde. They were not illegal bank robbers. They were “undocumented” depositors just making withdrawals.