Consumers at a loss to know about GMO

In a recent interview by the Star-Advertiser with Ken Love, Love made a distinction between GMOs developed via cross-pollination between similar species and GMOs created by introducing a foreign substance into a plant ("Ken Love," Name in the News, Star-Advertiser, May 3).

GMO proponents have claimed that both methods have proven to be safe, but there has been no long-term experience with the latter method of GMO.

I was exposed to DDT in the 1940s, as well as PCB and asbestos in the early 1960s, but have experienced no ill effects. Yet the federal government eventually banned those substances when they were shown to adversely affect many people.

Can the GMO proponents prove that their products will not adversely affect organic produce if both are grown in close proximity? Organic produce requires certification before consumers who prefer organic will purchase them. If consumers want to avoid GMO produce, they have no way of knowing what they’re being offered.

Melvyn Masuda
Waialae-Kahala

UH construction has dubious past

Mary Vorsino’s article about University of Hawaii funding contains a comment from UH President M.R.C. Greenwood that UH has "an excellent record of doing hundreds of millions of dollars of construction" ("State’s funding refusal frustrates UH head," Star-Advertiser, May 4).

In contrast, Dennis Mitsunaga, a successful government contractor, testified in a recent Senate hearing about the waste, fraud and abuse that he encountered in his dealings with UH. He concluded that the director of the UH Office of Capital Improvement "should be investigated for blatant mismanagement."

In 2010 there was a $2.5 million UH payout to settle a lawsuit of a mainland firm over alleged cronyism in the development of the Cancer Research Center. However, the most egregious of UH’s construction projects was the women’s softball stadium, where some spectators could not see home plate. This fiasco allegedly cost the university more than $500,000.One could conclude that Greenwood’s standards are very low or her memory is very short.

Peter Knerr
Kailua

Natatorium plan will serve public

While I’m disappointed that my suggestion and plan to build a world-class volleyball area in place of the dangerous Natatorium wasn’t followed, I’m pleased that our government is at least providing the public and visitors something of value and beauty.

Its recent actions have been to take away or close environments of interests and use by kamaaina and visitors, including hiking trails, archery, waterfalls and other areas that receive a complaint by one or a small group of complainers. But nice going on this one by the state and city.

Ron Sorrell
Waikiki

Dilapidated pool didn’t honor vets

Hats off to the mayor and the governor for resolving the Natatorium issue.

A decaying, abandoned swimming pool next to the most beautiful beach in the world is hardly a fitting tribute to the sacrifices of those who served in World War I.

Moving the arch to a tranquil site will be a fitting tribute.

Creighton W. Goldsmith
Nuuanu

What if Kawamoto paints odd colors?

It’s quite appalling that the City Council approved amended legislation directed at Genshiro Kawamoto’s unkept properties.

The Kahala Neighborhood Board pushed for the increase in fines to force area property owners to eliminate eyesores that decreased property values.

Hypothetically speaking, what if Kawamoto does clean up all his properties, installing and maintaining immaculate lawns with beautiful shrubbery and trees?

But what if Kawamoto then decides to paint the roof of one of his houses bright orange and the exterior walls deep purple and with fluorescent green trims? Or another house with a watermelon-rind green and red exterior walls with black dots throughout? And continue with other exotic and unique designs for the remaining houses (excluding the three homes rented to the Hawaiian families)?

Inevitably, thousands of tourists and locals would flock to the Kahala area to see these houses and take pictures and ideas with them. Indubitably,the attention and desirability of Kawamoto’s properties would significantly increase the value of most Kahala properties.

Lloyd Nishina
Makiki

Celebrity status not excuse for stupidity

Once again we’re reminded that Lindsay Lohan and Reese Witherspoon, because of their names alone, somehow should be afforded preferential treatment ("Lohan is in unlicensed rehab facility, officials say," Star-Advertiser, People, May 3).

Who gives them their names? We do. By buying tickets to see their movies or music performances. Without this money and fame, Lohan, along with her many offenses, would be where many women her age are right now: in county jails.

As for Witherspoon, she apologized for her behavior. But now we are led to believe she panicked because she thought they were being pulled over for a busted taillight or for speeding?No, because she knew both she and her husband, the driver, were both intoxicated.

Celebrity status is not an excuse for stupidity in Lohan’s case, nor for disrespect of law enforcement in Witherspoon’s case.

Jonathan Norris
Waikiki

‘Rainbow’ is great for the UH brand

There are many "Warrior" sports teams. If University of Hawaii Athletics Director Ben Jay really wants to "brand" the UH and have the sports teams stand out, he should keep the Rainbow name and logo. The legend of the Rainbow Warrior is uniquely Hawaiian.

Sonya Richter-Smith
Makiki