GMOs, fluoride aren’t similar

David Shapiro claims that fluoride in water was proven safe and effective and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) should be viewed likewise ("Leaders’ failure causes isles to lose out in GMO debate," Star-Advertiser, Volcanic Ash, Oct. 20).

I disagree. This is a flagrant misrepresentation of the safety of agrochemicals in GMOs. Fluoride should not be in the same comparison group.

On Monday, this paper ran a half-page article on the epidemic health problems linked to agrochemicals in Argentina ("Argentines link health problems to uncontrolled agrochemicals," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 21).

A leading doctor involved said, "The change in how agriculture is produced has brought, frankly, a change in the profile of diseases. We’ve gone from a pretty healthy population to one with a high rate of cancer, birth defects and illnesses seldom seen before."

In 1996, Monsanto began its transformation of Argentina’s agriculture, particularly the farming of soybeans and corn which is fed to the cattle. This has become the catalyst of catastrophe in Argentina.

John Valentine
Kaneohe

No rush to hire UH president

University of Hawaii Regent Carl Carlson seems to be in a great hurry to find a permanent UH president ("Search for UH head put on fast track," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 21). This may not be a good idea.

The last two CEOs appointed from outside the system, M.R.C. Greenwood and Evan Dobelle, did not work out well for us. Had they been properly vetted, red flags may have shown up. They have both cost us dearly in terms of severance packages.

The search for the next president should allow for enough time for the appointee to be vetted carefully and chosen wisely.

Pradeepta Chowdhury
Hilo

Protection weak in same-sex bill

After reading Sunday’s "Guardians of the Faith" (Star-Advertiser, Oct. 20), I’ve come to two conclusions:

First, legislators have already exercised their "power to reserve marriage to opposite-sex couples." When the state allowed the 1998 constitutional amendment to negate the Hawaii Supreme Court ruling in the Baehr v. Lewin case, they interpreted it as the final word banning same-sex marriage here. Then legislators upheld this interpretation again, as stated in the 2011 civil unions’ bill preamble. These two actions provide ample legal precedence that makes state Attorney General David Louie’s opinion moot.

Second, Lois Perrin of the American Civil Liberties Union doubts there will be many legal challenges. I disagree. The bill’s vague language barely addresses the wedding. What about everything that happens after?

"Religious liberty and equal treatment can coexist," Perrin said. "You’re not going to have people trying to fight to marry where they’re not welcome."

If that were true, we wouldn’t be having this discussion.

Cheryle O’Brien
Kailua

Keep separate state, religion

Marriage is a legal as well as (sometimes) a religious commitment.

The U.S. Constitution clearly says there shall be "no establishment of religion," due to a desire of many smaller denominations to prevent persecution by a state-sponsored church, as had happened under the Church of England and in bloody religious wars among Christians in Europe.

In Europe, people have separate ceremonies, one by a judge (the legal side), and if they wish, another in a church. In the U.S., the two roles have become muddled, but so far no one has applied to have a marriage between two people of the same gender in a church that opposes it.

Traditional marriage has already survived the commercial, industrial and scientific revolutions, much larger processes of change than letting another 3 percent of the population get married.

Let’s let the churches run their own religions and let government run the legal system, please.

David Chappell
Kaneohe

Stop developing fragile Hawaii

How much more will we destroy before we see what’s been devastated before our eyes? Humanity has overdeveloped at such a rapid pace. Let’s slow down and focus on what really matters: sustaining and preserving our natural resources.

In Hawaii, we depend on our resources, yet drastic developments are taking over, such as that on our mauna.

Our Mauna Kea is a main water source. Our Lake Waiau, rivers and freshwater springs along the coast as well as upland confirm this. She is alive and sacred to us as she sustains this function. We cannot afford further development on any more of our resources here in Hawaii.

Many feel this spirit of our mountains, land and waters as living with and for us so that we may breathe life.

This connection, intimacy and affection is the essence and spirit of our indigenous Hawaiian culture, which thrived for centuries and which we should perpetuate in this sustainable way. Aloha!

Kanoeuluwehianuhea Case
Hilo

Nature will set the shoreline

Recent articles have indicated that beachfront homeowners losing their shoreline property are frustrated with government rules that affect their plans to try and save their shoreline and houses.

It is nature’s rules that will prevail in the long run. Rising tides and giant waves will eventually claim more and more of the coastline and some of the houses built close to the ocean.

This is inevitable and reflects both the traditional movement of a shoreline and higher sea levels.

Sea level rise has been predicted for the future but it appears to have arrived soon than expected.

Brice Conquest
Waialae-Kahala

More safeguards against E. coli

E. coli is a pathogen — it causes disease — and is an indicator organism for trouble in water ("E. coli found in water going to 1,000 East Oahu homes," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 22). This problem in the Aina Koa area should come as no surprise.

The intersection of Malia and Aliikoa has been dug up numerous times due to leaks underground. The irrigation system for the park is a disaster. Constant repairs are necessary to fix leaks, the timers don’t work properly and there is standing water around valves.

Blaming the problem on a chlorinator minimizes the problems with water and sewage in the area.

A comprehensive review, diagnosis and, unfortunately, a time-consuming and costly plan and repair project are overdue.

They flushed the fire hydrants, but what about the water that was already primed in our pipes at homes? We didn’t flush them because nobody told us. We have to do better to safeguard public health and safety.

Leo Hura
Aina Koa