Letters to the Editor

Perils of GMO foods seem pretty obvious

An article in the Star-Advertiser ("Increase in kids’ allergies stumps federal researchers," Star-Advertiser, May 2) says that the Centers for Disease Control finds a 50 percent increase in children’s food allergies since the late 1990s. No explanation has been found.

Curiously, ingredients from genetically mutilated organisms began to permeate our food supply in the late 1990s. These products contain proteins that our bodies have never encountered in our evolutionary history. We do not have the capacity to digest these new proteins.

Is the widespread introduction of genetically modified organisms into our food supply and the rise in food allergies a coincidence?

In the same paper we are offered two commentaries about GMOs. On the left is a pro-GMO essay, and on the right is a pro-GMO essay. Maybe we’re not seeing what is obvious because we are choosing not to see it.

Sen. Russell Ruderman
D, 2nd District (Puna, Kau)

Enforce existing laws before passing more

The Legislature in all its wisdom has just passed a bill requiring rear-seat passengers in automobiles to have their seat belts fastened. Why? Hawaii already has laws that are not being strictly enforced now.

Driving under the influence, cellphone usage, pedestrian safety and seat belts for front-seat passengers — to cite a few laws — on a daily basis, I see people ignoring these laws.

Until laws are strictly enforced, it doesn’t matter if the Legislature passes a thousand laws for automobile/pedestrian safety because they’re not worth the paper they’re written on unless strict enforcement is provided.

Ron Tamura
Palolo Valley

There must be a way to restore Natatorium

While growing up on Oahu in the ’50s and ’60s, I was fortunate enough to visit the Waikiki Natatorium several times, to swim and experience the pool where Duke Kahanamoku swam. I believe at that time the diving towers were still in place.

We should restore this very special war memorial. Why not sell bonds or have a private entity restore the pool and stands to their previous glory and, when completed, charge an admission, with special passes for military veterans?

Wouldn’t it be great to have swimming exhibitions there as well?

It would be a "must visit" attraction and swim area for all, especially tourists, that is just a stroll away.

I am grateful that I had the chance to swim in this very special place, making an unforgettable memory. My hope is that many more will have the experience.

Josi Pung-Hahn
Kaneohe

Police should monitor Sandy Beach more

With all that has been going on at Sandy Beach, especially from Fridays through Sundays into the late nights and early mornings, perhaps there should be some increased patrolling of that area.

We have lived near this popular beach for six years and have never heard such noise living this far from the beach.

We can hear cars and motorcycles racing, tires screeching on the stretch in front of the beach and loud music and other noises until 11 or later each night or early morning of the weekend. Then there was the latest senseless death of a young man — and now a baby being born at the beach.

This favorite beach is beginning to get a bad reputation and the noise becoming quite a nuisance to those of us who live near the beach and into Kalama Valley. Patrolling the area with police cars might deter some of these behaviors.

Electrice Cara
Hawaii Kai

Jones Act provides many benefits to U.S.

The U.S. maritime industry was recently forced to defend the Jones Act, an important law requiring that the movement of cargo between U.S. ports take place on U.S.-owned, U.S.-built and U.S.-crewed vessels flying the Stars and Stripes.

The Jones Act ensures the U.S. Coast Guard vets all mariners operating vessels along our coasts and throughout our inland river system. It guarantees our country a base of highly skilled merchant mariners prepared to sail aboard vessels that carry military cargo overseas.

A General Accountability Office study on the Jones Act and its effect upon Puerto Rico showed the U.S. domestic container shipping fleet provides regular and reliable service while offering significant rate reductions. It also stated that modifying the Jones Act could result in grave consequences to the U.S. Merchant Marine, American shipbuilding and national security, and perhaps even the disappearance of U.S.-flag vessels from the Puerto Rican trade.

It’s time to support pro-job policies and stop attacking the U.S. Merchant Marine.

Michael Jewell
President, Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association, Washington, D.C.

Flight training center is just a pet project

I was stunned to learn that the Legislature voted to give money so that the University of Hawaii-Hilo could start an international flight training center.

I work at UH-Hilo and have heard no discussion among students or faculty about this program. We learned recently that the College of Pharmacy will not get the building that was promised because legislators were hesitant to fund a new campus building for UH-Hilo when the university system has a $461 million maintenance backlog for current facilities. Other programs have been waiting for years to fill vacant positions.

And yet, Sen. Gil Kahele and his cronies managed to find the money to fund his son’s pet project. We don’t have faculty expertise in this area and have heard of no student or faculty interest in this becoming a major focus.

It appears at best to be incompetence among lawmakers drawn to the latest flashy object. Or, at worst, a blatant case of corruption and nepotism.

Dawna Coutant
Hilo

Drive less to help control air pollution

We can’t do anything to regulate pollution from Kilauea, but we can still do something about toxic fumes from our vehicles.

The Department of Motor Vehicles reports more than 1 million vehicles on Oahu, and the Environmental Protection Agency calculates that every gallon of gasoline burned produces about 19 pounds of polluting gases.

Normal trade winds tend to blow our emissions out to sea. They mix with the Pacific winds, and eventually blow back to us. We contribute our share to the climate-change equation.

When we get the southeast Kona winds, our auto exhaust blows back into town and gets trapped against the Koolaus, along with the vog from Kilauea. We get a double whammy.

What can we do? The same things drivers around the world do: Carpool. Drive as little as possible, especially during Kona winds. Walk, or ride a bike. Or ride the bus. Don’t sit in the sun idling your car just for the air conditioning.

Al Arney
Kaimuki

If there’s lots of cars, there’s lots of traffic

Honolulu is second-worst city for traffic. Why?

Note this statistic from the State Data Book: Motor vehicle registrations on Oahu in 2010, 720,267. In 2011, 755,425. That’s a one-year increase of more than 35,000 vehicles. Is anyone counting?

Sure, that’s not the whole story. Rental cars registered early in the year might have been shipped out later the same year, for instance.

But it’s certainly food for thought.

Russ Lynch
Kailua