Letters to the Editor for Thursday — January 22, 2004

• Mahalo to Jean Souza for help

• Vision needs light

Mahalo to Jean Souza for help

I wanted to publicly acknowledge the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary with a big MAHALO for their dedicated effort to include all members of our island in the upcoming “Annual Whale Count”.

The day before the workshop, I read the article about the Annual Whale Count in the Garden Island newspaper. Since I happen to be profoundly deaf, I requested the services of a sign language interpreter at the very last minute – so I, too, could participate in the training the following morning.

Marine Sanctuary Liaison, Jean Souza, jumped into the task of locating funding, receiving authorization from her management, conferring with Marine Sanctuary staff members located on Maui (Cindy Hylkema and Liz Russell,) and finally contacting an interpreter to provide the service. Jean began this quest after 5:00 p.m. on a Friday evening – in addition to preparing for the next morning’s workshop.

This type of dedication and inclusion of all people is a true example of the Aloha Spirit – for which, I am deeply grateful. Thank you, Jean and staff, for allowing me to participate in this extraordinary opportunity. I look forward to the whale count.

Most sincerely,

Lihu’e

Vision needs light

Your work towards enlightening through insightful journalism, may be the most powerful medium of common Hawaiian voice for a Hawai’i unconta inated by corporate profit, through GMO proliferation!

We are an island with blessings and vulnerabilities. Please shed light on our visiion and share in a sfe future.

Peace,

John Kurtis Kunesh