Wooley is right for state post

I support state Rep. Jessica Wooley for director of the state Office of Environmental Quality Control.

Hawaii needs a progressive voice for the aina. The vague aspersions cast by state Sen. Clarence Nishihara about Wooley are just that: vague and unsupported.

Nishihara says people will say that "he is out to get her because he is a tool of biotech,"and he is right.

Right now the biotech companies that are here in Hawaii are circling the wagons because Vermont was willing to pass legislation requiring labeling of all GMO products.

And because they are aware of the biotech companies’ penchant to be corporate bullies and sue any entity that requires any disclosure about their practices or products, the state of Vermont included in the legislation money to fight any lawsuits from Monsanto et al.

Judith Pettibone
Makiki

Wooley is not a ‘progressive’

I object to your reporter’s labeling of Jessica Wooley, an anti-GMO proponent, as a "progressive" ("Opposition imperils nomination of Wooley," Star-Advertiser, April 27).

An actual progressive recognizes the role of evidence-based scientific analysis in today’s society. A large body of scientific evidence has developed the consensus that there is no food safety danger in GMOs.

An anti-GMO position is regressive and based on fears and misinformation, not facts. Wooley is therefore no progressive.

Peter Adams
Pahoa, Hawaii island

Cleanup crews deserve raises

You know who really deserve the city pay raises?

The work crews who have to clean up after the homeless!

Linda Sakuma
Waialae

China is future of isles tourism

Mark Dunkerley, the CEO of Hawaiian Airlines, made an astute call to action when he urged Hawaii to better prepare for more Chinese tourists ("Isles must work harder to lure visitors from China, says airline CEO," Star-Advertiser, April 25).

It’s a message that our tourism industry doesn’t seem to be heeding, however. In December 2007, I wrote a similar article about China granting the United States approved destination status. Chinese tourism to Hawaii has been steadily increasing ever since and now the Chinese visitor is our biggest spender, at more than $400 per day.

I also wrote about the need for places like Waikiki to become more familiar with the Chinese language and sensitive to Chinese customs and traditions.

With many organizations predicting that China’s economy will outgrow the U.S. economy in the near future, Dunkerley’s assertion that China is the "economic salvation" for Hawaiian tourism is spot-on and should not go ignored.

State Rep. Gene Ward
Hawaii Kai

Sowell columns often repulsive

As a moderate, I enjoy and find thought-provoking the conservative views of David Brooks, George Will and Charles Krauthammer.

I find the views of Cal Thomas and Jacob Sullum tolerable, but Thomas Sowell’s regurgitating of Fox News drivel is repulsive. Also, his attacks on the president are often personal and not about policy.

I hope the Star-Advertiser re-evaluates Sowell’s worth as a legitimate conservative voice and eliminates his column from the editorial page.

Dan Berman
Waikiki

Hawaiians get the shaft again

Congratulations,folks, we have fooled them again.

The state gave the Office of Hawaiian Affairs land makai of Ala Moana Boulevard in Kakaako as reparationpayments for stealing Native Hawaiian lands.

The land is worth about $200 million. Of course OHA thought it could build high-rise condos, making it worth considerably more.

Now they can’t get approval for the high-rises.

When will they learn they cannot trust non-Hawaiians? Native Americans also learned the hard way.

All the developers, contractors and construction unions know the only away to get approval to build high-rises in Kakaako is to contribute to Abercrombie’s campaign.

Carl Bergantz
Kaneohe

OHA still held in high regard

Before too much time passes, we want to let the Office of Hawaiian Affairs know that even though the construction at Kakaako Makai for which OHA was pressing has not been granted, the coalition of groups against residential high-rise construction consider OHA a friend and guardian of all our aina.

We respect Hawaiian rights and want to preserve Hawaii for the future for all of us. Though many of us do not have Hawaiian blood, we were born here and this aina is our home.

All of Hawaii’s people are our extended ohana. We hope to partner to guide its development wisely. Our families, children and their children are counting on what we do today.

If OHA needs assistance in future conservation, free access or any other issue OHA finds pressing, count on all of us as partners, and most important — friends.

John and Rita Shockley
Free Access Coalition
Makakilo

Let people vote on racial issues?

On April 23, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the issue of whether to admit or reject students for admission to public institutions (i.e. affirmative action) was best left to the voters of each state.

On April 24, the political right suddenly had a new hero in Nevada rancher ClivenBundy, who not only challenged the federalgovernment over land he claimed as his own but also said he didn’t even recognize the right of the federal government to exist.

However, on April 25, all the Republicans who had rallied to his defense fled like rats from a burning ship as Bundy extended his remarks on individual freedom to contrast with the hapless lot of "the Negro" who were possibly "better off as slaves."

One wonders if the Supreme Court might have rendered a different judgment on affirmative action if it had made its decision two days later.

Unfortunately, too many folks like Bundy fill the legislatures of too many states.

Mark Helbling
Manoa

Child abuse case was dismaying

It may appear as though Hawaii residents were indifferent to all that happened to Talia Williams because public outcry was not heard ("Ex-soldier convicted in brutal murder of daughter," Star-Advertiser, April 25).

That’s the way of islanders. But let it not go unsaid: If one were toask each individual about the case, rest assured we would vehemently respond with dismay, shock and sorrow.

It’s probably the most horrific abuse case we ever heard. I’m sure most of us would want to see thepunishment done to Talia be done to the animals who punished her.

Talia, we love you, baby girl, and may God be with you always.

Amelia Wise
Hawaii Kai