• Seems like they’re both fishing • Faith and science • Decision time Seems like they’re both fishing Since I don’t golf (too cheap), I found myself in a public meeting today at the Kapa‘a Library on what will become
• Seems like they’re both fishing • Faith and science • Decision
time
Seems like they’re both fishing
Since I don’t golf (too cheap), I found myself in a public meeting today at the Kapa‘a Library on what will become the expansion of the whale sanctuary now in blue shades mostly around Maui and Lana‘i and a few spots around the Big Island and Kaua‘i; but not for long. The pretty orange shades around all the islands engulfing the old sanctuaries will greatly expand their dominion and authority to tell you where you can go and what you can do on and in the ocean. But wait a minute; they report that there were only 1,500 humpback whales when they were put on the federal protected species list and now (NOAA reports) that humpbacks number 4,000 over their pre-whaling days number of 18,000, job well done! Now I’m all for protecting an endangered species, however, wow — now find something else to do. Government agencies have a way of growing in regulations, licenses, more funding (borrowing), more environmental employees headed your way to tell fisherman and tour boats where they can go and when to do their thing for subsistence.
It seems “fishy” to me having hung out on the beaches of the Coconut Coast for 44 years and I having never seen nor heard of a monk seal until more recently, in fact they seem to be on the Kaua‘i Coconut Coast beaches every other week, not to mention that sea turtles are everywhere; so what’s the big deal for expanding the sanctuary? Just have a third party count them every few years to check the population. Then I heard from a few fishermen that monk seals feed on red snapper and other bottom fish. Then it hit me, the “Shepherds of the Whales” are truly looking into the future (their pay checks). They will be out of a job unless they expand their gig. It was reported that four male monk seals were brought from the northern Hawaiian islands as they were beating up the females — so they have been introduced to the lower state islands and seem to be doing very well; turtles seem plentiful as well to the point they get into trouble with fisherman sometimes, but they are on the increase.
So, if the biologists cannot harvest their pools of sympathetic knee-jerk environmentalists with pretty maps and skewed information over the next few public hearings, then, I say we take their obvious talents and get them a job chasing the factory ships 201 miles off our islands vacuuming up all species of the ocean — sucking more in a few days from our waters than all the Kaua‘i fisherman (and women) could catch in a lifetime. Come on people, ask questions and do some more research, don’t fall for expanding sanctuaries debacle — let’s go international not coastal.
Come to find out both parties are fishing, one is for protein and the other is for public sympathy, the latter being much easier to catch especially when you have the federal government behind you.
Gary Bolster, Kapa‘a
Faith and science
In Jason Nichols’ 9/24/10 letter (“What he has faith in”) he states that his great-grandmother believed that Christianity and science are compatible. Jason is not sure about that, but he is putting his faith in science and thinks politicians should do the same.
Jason, I would encourage you to follow your great-grandmother’s example and avoid having blind faith in either science or religion. An example of blind faith in science would be Eugenics and Nazism. In that case, the pursuit of scientific advancement was no longer tethered by good religious influence. The scientific goal of improving the human race by killing or sterilizing undesirable humans was not constrained by the religious and moral implications of what they were doing.
On the other hand, religious beliefs should be grounded on good evidence. We should not believe every religious idea we hear. Fortunately, the largest religion in the world, Christianity, is based on mountains of evidence. Scientific archeology has confirmed the existence of biblical cities, kingdoms, coins, languages, leaders, etc. A host of witnesses confirmed the supernatural actions of Jesus Christ. These men and women had everything to lose and nothing to gain by sticking to their story of what they saw. Jesus had 11 disciples left after Judas betrayed Jesus and killed himself. Of these 11 men, only one was not killed as a martyr (witness) for his faith. The one was the apostle John, who somehow survived being boiled in oil for his Christian witness.
In the first few centuries A.D., successive waves of plagues swept through the Roman world. In those days, when plagues hit, people ran for their lives. However, great numbers of Christians followed Jesus’ teachings and stayed to care for the sick, at their own risk. Millions saw this demonstration of love in action as good evidence to believe in Jesus.
Where there is smoke, there is usually fire. In this case, two billion people believe in Jesus and there are mountains of evidence to support these beliefs. Evidence can be scientific, supernatural signs, demonstrated love in action, or a changed life. As your great-grandmother probably realized, Jesus’ teachings are not just beautiful, but supported by every kind of evidence.
Mark Beeksma, Koloa
Decision time
Based on the extensive roadside campaigning that has been going on for many long months, I’ve made up my mind for the coming general election — Sweet Corn, Fresh Fish and Huli Chicken.
Bob Waid, Princeville
