Safeguards needed to contain GMO crops

Ken Kamiya’s commentary exemplifies the tactics of those who will say anything to cling to chemical industrial agriculture as they were taught it after World War II ("GMO ban would cripple Hawaii farming," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, July 28).

The harsh words he used, against others who just want a chance to stay in business, make him seem to be uninformed and desiring to prevent others from having equal opportunity.

Biotech corporations and some Hawaii farming associations are playing a winner-take-all game against non-GMO growers.The proponents of this gene-polluting technology want the entire field of agriculture for themselves without any containment protocols.Not pono and no aloha for anyone but themselves.

In the face of the GMO invasion of Hawaii, which will eventually contaminate all non-GMO and organic crops, as GMO papaya did, the path leads to legislating safeguards and holding GMO contaminators responsible.

The other islands are GMO polluted, but Hawaii islanders are working to ensure food security and to preserve home rule from Honolulu wanting to force GMO crops upon us.

Merle Inouye
Hilo

Help small farmers fight GMO companies

Monsanto manipulates working-class family farmers to help fuel its anti-family farming agenda of toxic industrial monocropping.

The people of Hawaii should come to the aid of small farmers to help them stop growing genetically modified papaya, and join the fight to keep the multibillion-dollar GMO industry from poisoning future generations and their farmlands.

The science independent of the biotech industry says the opposite of what Monsanto’s paid scientists say. In fact, one must receive permission from such GMO companies in order to study their products.

The industry claims Hawaiian papaya would not have survived without GMO. Yet I grow non-GMO organic papayas.

How is that possible? I am not in Hawaii as a Hollywood rich person; I am here because I want to grow good food for my grandkids and yours.

The GMO papaya, to me, is a false hero. There was no ringspot virus in Puna from 1978 until 1992, shortly after Dennis Gonsalves began open-air field testing of ringspot-resistant GMO papaya.

Some call it "rainbow papaya." I call it the GMO trojan horse.

Roseanne Barr
Honokaa, Hawaii island

Performing arts aided by directors’ realism

As the former host of Hawaii Public Radio’s program, "Business of the Arts," I was particularly pleased to read in John Berger’s article the honest evaluations and financial realism expressed by the performing arts directors highlighted ("On stage," Star-Advertiser, July 28).

That realism, that very necessary realism, bodes well for each of the organizations.

In addition, the passion demonstrated by board members, actors, hundreds of volunteers and incredibly hard-working staffs has kept Hawaii’s arts at a very high level despite challenging financial conditions.

They will continue to produce superior products, products that enhance and enlighten our lives.

I think they deserve a standing ovation.

Robert Sandla
Hawaii Kai

More solar power has helped Hawaii

Regardingthe article,"HECO report rejected over solar oversight" (Star-Advertiser, July 30), it is unfair and inaccurate to single out "solar oversight" as the crux of Hawaii’s energy planning problems, and solar was not the focus of the state Public Utilities Commission consultant’s report.

The bigger question is: How fast can Hawaiian Electric Co. retire fossil fuel plants in favor of local renewable energy? The rise of cheap solar power has been a huge energy success. Rather than a case of solar not paying its fair share, solar customersin 2012 delivered more energy into the grid than they consumed — a $17 million benefit for all HECO customers.

Add up all the other advantages of solar power, such as thousands of construction jobs and millions in clean energy private investment, and thebenefitsof solar grow even larger. That is a good deal for all of us.

Richard Wallsgrove
Program director, Blue Planet Foundation

From the Forum

"Almost half of all new babies are born to unwed mothers," Star-Advertiser, July 29:

» No way most of these children will do well without a solid home with two parents. But anything goes these days with lousy values predominating.

» I don’t care what these people do as long as they are not on welfare and they are good parents. That is where my concern is mostly.

» The teen birth rate dropping is the best news I’ve heard all morning.

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"Mosquitoes’ shift prompted removal of H-1 bromeliads," Star-Advertiser, July 29:

» I’m neither a horticulturist nor nursery owner and I could’ve told you if you plant a bunch of bromeliads you will significantly increase the mosquito population. Our tax dollars hard at work.

» Instead of costly plants that require maintenance, why don’t they just plant weeds?

» Rocks and cactus, like Las Vegas — low-maintenance landscaping.

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"Zapped Out," Star-Advertiser, July 30:

» Looks like Hawaii dodged the bullet, so to speak — this time. Count your blessings.

» Thank God. Hawaii is safe!

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"State regains access to $75M grant," Star-Advertiser, July 30:

» This is excellent news. For all of the hard work, effort and massive overhauls that are going on, it is nice to receive a compliment on the work that is being done. People at all levels are focused, flexible and fast moving. It’s the best I have seen the state Department of Education in the past 13 years that I’ve been in it.

» This is proof that the state is making progress in education. It’s taken a fight by Abercrombie with the union and principals to get it done. This probably validates the need for an appointive school board. I don’t think that an elective school board would have supported the changes.

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"Day at the White House thrills 8-year-old chef," Star-Advertiser, July 31:

» What a wonderful adventure for a young girl. Congratulations to her. It’s something she will never forget.

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"Restoring trust first on agenda of new UH head," Star-Advertiser, July 31:

» It’s sad that the first thing is to establish trust. As a leader, David Lassner must set the direction and maintain standards, his personal accountability first. It may take time, but any move in a positive direction will get noticed by everyone around him. Good Luck!

» Give Lassner a chance. The UH has its problems but it has done good work, too. Once M.R.C. Greenwood is gone, we’ll see what he can do.

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"‘Time to go back on shore,’ surfer tells self after shark attack," Star-Advertiser, July 31:

» It’s amazing how many surfers are unaware while being in the water. They surf in areas where it’s well known, at least by Hawaiians, that are dangerous and shark-infested, and yet they don’t know anything about that area? That’s why they get bit.

» I’ve surfed Hawaii’s waves for decades, averaging about 150 days a year. About once every 10 years I see a shark. Kalaeloa and Ewa are reputed to be "shark-infested." They are also popular surfing areas, particularly with beginners and kids due to its gentle surf. A kid told me it was his favorite spot: "Plenny waves, a shower, snack bar and lifeguard." Apparently my friends and I missed the all-Hawaiian bulletin about well-known sharky surf spots. Believe me, if the waves are ridable, there will be surfers.

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"A community divided," Star-Advertiser, Aug. 1:

» Pesticide Island. Not a pretty concept. Other countries have put bans, requirements and restrictions on GMOs. Many more have stricter laws controlling the use of pesticides on industrial farm operations. I hope the residents of Kauai defend their health, their children and their island. The people just want to know what is going on, the facts, the whole truth.

» As consumers, we have a right to know what’s in our food. Label it! If opponents of the bill feel no harm would be done, then be honest and label the food.

» These opponents say they support ag. Well, they should go out and farm then. If they’re such experts, they should put their money where their mouths are and farm to a scale that can feed the population of this state.

» The guy behind this fiasco, Gary Hooser, was a part of the killing of the Superferry. Now he wants to kill ag on Kauai.