• Morita is for the fish • Police presence at concert was harassment • What was real crime of music fest? Morita is for the fish Reacting to the convoluted discussion surrounding the Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
• Morita is for the fish • Police
presence at concert was harassment • What was real
crime of music fest?
Morita is for the fish
Reacting to the convoluted discussion surrounding the Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary management plan review, a fisherman asked me if I was for or against fishermen. My simple answer to that question is I am for the fish — no fishes, no fishermen.
I understand that fishing is a significant factor in keeping our island lifestyle and culture but this important resource is dependent on maintaining a healthy ocean ecosystem. Unfortunately, indiscriminate fishing, the absence of comprehensive marine management and sensible regulations and enforcement have put our marine resources in jeopardy not only in Hawai‘i but throughout the world. Kupuna Louis “Buzzy” Agard describes the situation we now face:
“In our oceans today, too many people are fighting over a diminished resource. I have been fishing in Hawai‘i for more than 60 years. I remember when there were dense schools of fish in Hawai‘i. But I can tell you from experience, times have changed. Our food fish are now a commodity, and when a limited natural resource becomes a commodity, you have the tragedy of the commons — everybody keeps taking, but nobody takes care. If we learn to take care, and to take only what we need in a responsible manner, then maybe we can be proud of the future we pass on to our children.”
Our best efforts have to be brought forth to ensure a thriving fishing community. It was not long ago that our nearshore waters were managed through a konohiki with strict rules and serious consequences. Our Hawaiian ancestors truly understood that having a thriving fishery was a matter of survival and responsibility. Rebuilding our fisheries can only happen through a thoughtful discussion and acknowledging our kuleana as an island community dependent on our ocean, not through rumors, fear and speculation. Hopefully, the Hawaii Humpback Whale Sanctuary management-plan review can be seized as an opportunity to redirect federal and state resources not to focus solely on target species but to identify what it will take to restore a thriving and diverse marine ecosystem to enhance the quality of our island lifestyle.
Navigator Nainoa Thompson says, “It’s time for us to recognize the value of our ocean, and understand that we are in a time of decline… We must rebuild a culture of an ocean community. This will require a partnership among scientists, government and those who use and love the ocean like I do. It’s about values and responsibility, and is truly a matter of survival.”
Sincerely,
State Rep. Hermina Morita, D-Wailua-Kapa‘a-Hanalei, Hanalei
Police presence at concert was harassment
Aloha.
I am writing in response to this past weekend’s 10th Annual Homegrown Music Festival. It was an incredible celebration of families, friends, music and dance. Keiki danced and sang as parents and grandparents watched with pleasure. It was truly magnificent, and I look forward to watching the festival highlights on Ho‘ike in the near future. However, this enjoyable weekend gathering was tarnished greatly by the behavior of KPD officers outside the event. They claimed to be there for “safety,” but their intentions were clear.
Give out as many citations as possible. They were even ticketing for “dirty license-plates.” Then they formed a roadblock after the event and checked every single driver and car that exited. To top it off, they “arrested” the concert promoter and took him away in handcuffs for disturbing the peace. To many of us attendees, it felt like harassment. What was the motivation behind this action? I have never seen such a show of force at any event on Kaua‘i.
The conclusion drawn by performer Chris Berry was echoed by many of the mostly Caucasian crowd, as he sang into the microphone: “It’s racism…what was done to you now you are doing…” Living on Kaua‘i means being subject to racial slurs and bigotry if you are haole. That is just how it is.
Although I reject this anger, I understand and accept it as a part of living here. I do expect better behavior from KPD though. How about busting some meth dealers, not concert-goers?
Ken Jannelli, Hanama‘ulu
What was real crime of music fest?
An open letter to Chief Perry:
I am a concerned member of our Kaua‘i community, who is questioning the propriety of the KPD harassment of Dove Liddle, well-known programmer at KKCR and the organizer of one of Kaua‘i’s favorite events, the annual Home Grown Festival. Hundreds of our citizens attended the peaceful, family-oriented, two-day music festival, which nearly culminated when Dove was arrested by the KPD, for some very-ambiguous reasons. The concert, which never went past a respectable hour for surrounding neighbors, was held at One Love Gardens, an isolated venue deep in Moloa‘a. The music was about Unity, Concern for each other and the Planet, as well.
My question is, why is the Kaua‘i Police Dept. not out looking for the killer/s of the women that have been found lifeless on our Island…or investigating supposed “suicides” of our teens or pursuing the meth labs that we are told is an Island epidemic? I guess that work is too hard, so eight squad cars of officers show up at a local event for several hours on Saturday, and then came back Sunday, making the arrest late in the afternoon. How much were those officers paid for their “duty,” Chief Perry? I, for one, think that the time and energy expended in the harassment of one of the most peaceful men on the Island, could have served our community in a much better capacity. Where are your priorities? What is the REAL crime here?
Sandy Herndon, Kapa‘a
