Bennette Misalucha writes about agriculture’s pivotal role in Hawaii’s history (“Seed industry helps Hawaii agriculture, and economy, to grow,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Sept. 22). She notes the economic benefits of Hawaii’s seed industry and its potential to feed the world’s burgeoning populations.

The problem is, seed-crop companies and all the land they occupy in Hawaii don’t grow one ounce of food for local consumption. Pineapple and sugar were indeed important contributors to Hawaii’s economy and heritage in the past. Unfortunately, plantation and seed-industry agriculture grow one crop only, produce erosion and water-runoff issues, consume huge amounts of water and often require chemicals to ensure crop success.

The seed industry is not compatible with an island ecosystem. It is better suited for farming on a larger continent.

Properly managed diversified agriculture should be the agricultural priority for Hawaii.

Bottom line: Grow food for Hawaii’s population first. Then Hawaii can decide how to help feed the rest of the world.

Kimo Franklin

Maunalua

Remains shouldn’t be used as pawns

We strongly condemn the actions of Thirty Meter Telescope protester Palikapu Dedman, who said he placed human remains on the TMT site (“Man says he put human remains atop Mauna Kea,” Star-Advertiser, Sept. 21).

Our deceased loved ones’ remains should not be used as political pawns. Disinterring a grave to promote a lie about the TMT site does not “protect Mauna Kea.” It is not “kapu aloha.” It is desecration.

The TMT is a complicated issue for Hawaii. We can respect those who oppose TMT on principled grounds and with honorable actions, even if we strongly disagree. This act, however, is unprincipled and dishonorable, communicating that the ends justify the means and the truth does not matter.

We call on upon TMT protesters to end their silence and join us in publicly condemning this desecration and demand that the state of Hawaii enforce its own laws, including removing any illegal ahu deliberately placed on TMT’s site.

Mauna Kea deserves no less.

Chris Stark

Naea Stevens

Thayne Currie

YES2TMT

Hilo

Charter amendments too much for voters

The City Charter Commission has proposed 20 amendments to the City Charter that few voters will have the time and patience to read and understand.

Many of the proposed amendments call for the creation of new government agencies that will move decision-making farther from the people, or micromanage existing agencies while insulating elected officials from dysfunction — in the police department, ethics, the budget, bus and parking fees, real property transactions, climate change, the Honolulu Zoo, and on and on. The problem, obviously, is the Charter Commission itself, which should be abolished.

Instead of dumping this truckload on the public barely a month before the election, thereby making a parody of democracy, the City Council should decide what is really necessary and make its case to the voters, clearly, concisely and honestly, if that is not too much to ask.

John P. Dellera

Kahala

Don’t discriminate against gas vehicles

I was very pleased to read that the state is seriously considering replacing the gasoline fuel tax with a new formula that is both fair and reasonable for all drivers of motor vehicles — gas, electric or a combination of both (“Charging by mile, not by fuel,” Star-Advertiser, Sept. 16).

Although I strongly support efforts to reduce global warming, I am against a solution that favors electric vehicle (EV) owners and wrongly discriminates against people who drive gasoline vehicles.

Studies clearly show that transportation can play a major role in reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. Thus, switching to electric vehicles will greatly reduce our dependence on gasoline.

However, every driver knows that the money received from federal, state and county taxes on gasoline is used to help build highways, freeways, roads and bridges. The gasoline tax also is used to help maintain and repair the roads upon which all motor vehicles — including the electric vehicles — travel.

Why should the EV owners have a free ride at the expense of the owners of gasoline-driven vehicles?

William T. Kinaka

Wailuku

Disney costume flap an embarrassment

Oh great. The Walt Disney Co. apologizes and shuts down a really cool Halloween costume idea because of a vocal minority of Polynesians who take themselves way too seriously (“Cultural criticism drives Disney to stop selling ‘Moana’ costume,” Star-Advertiser, Sept. 22).

The same day I saw someone complain about it online and get shot down immediately by people like myself who are sick and tired of people who are offended by everything.

I am embarrassed for Polynesians everywhere.

Joseph T. Bussen

Kailua

FROM THE FORUM

September 18, 2016

A former consultant says rail project is costing Kiewit $100 million

>> Rail is for our long term future benefit to alleviate traffic congestion and provide an alternative transportation solution. Delays have caused increased project cost but at this point we need to move forward and stop the finger pointing.

>> There was no way this project wasn’t going to shoot way over budget and way over time. That was why there was such a push to get it beyond the point of no return so quickly that led to the lawsuits.

UH comes up dry against Arizona

>> Starting the season by getting routed by major college teams is senseless. Why submit our teams to such disgrace?

>> 1-3 is what almost everyone expected so why all the doom and gloom? The offense has shown more potential than in any of the previous four years under you know who.

September 19

Djou faults mayor for end of 911 overuse outreach

>> There’s a simple solution: the 52 chronic non-emergency users of EMS should be warned that further abuse of the system will be prosecuted and that they will lose access to the 911 system.

Police miss deadline on rape kits

>> They got NO problems with their civil forfeiture money grabs against citizens but suddenly lots of bureaucratic red tape for rape kits?

>> If most of the victims had been men, there would be very few untested kits. Just sayin’.

September 20

Isle longline fishers address crews’ plight

>> Rest assured that all parties on the boats and piers have kept this dirty little secret for years–and that despite the window dressing mentioned in this article, the federal laws allowing this kind of slavery will remain on the books.

>> I doubt that “federal law” allows “inhumane treatment” of workers. I believe the federal law only exempts Hawaii fishers from the 75% U.S. citizens crew requirement.

City ride-sharing bill would impose fare cap on Uber, Lyft drivers

>> City council put the paperwork down and walk away slowly, you do not know what your doing. Surge pricing has a role, even if you do not understand it, we do.

>> Instead of dragging Uber and Lyft down into the dark ages… why not elevate the Taxi system up into the 21st century technology?