Aquarium ban: The other side of the story When I read The Garden Island story, “Not many Nemos”, I was shocked that the Kaua‘i County Council recently voted on and passed a statewide ban on the tropical fish trade. It
Aquarium ban: The other side of the story
When I read The Garden Island story, “Not many Nemos”, I was shocked that the Kaua‘i County Council recently voted on and passed a statewide ban on the tropical fish trade. It seems this vote happened after testimony was heard from a small group of Maui animal rights activists, or “marine experts.”
Although I don’t reside on Kaua‘i, I have visited the island many times and find it a special place to relax and dive recreationally. I can attribute this, in part, to the leadership of Kaua‘i’s political system. However, I cannot understand how a few Maui “marine experts” could come over and easily convince Kaua‘i’s council to pass such an extreme resolution without consulting the industry itself, the regulatory agency (DLNR) that oversees it, or any credible scientists.
Statistics regarding number of fish caught (1.3-3.5 million per year), death rate (40 percent) and over-collection of some species (leading to a reduction of 97 percent) that were mentioned in the article, are completely false.
These “marine experts” scared council members with untruths and misconceptions without presenting the real science behind the fishery.
The truth of the matter is that the tropical fish industry is the most studied fishery in the state of Hawai‘i. With over 30 years of data and science under its belt, the DLNR has determined that the industry is “sustainable at current levels”.
Knowing that no industry is perfect, we are now working proactively with the DLNR, to add additional regulations that will make the industry stronger in future years. We are also working diligently with legislators explaining the truth behind the industry, not the slanderous accusations that a few animal rights activists tend to portray us as.
I understand and appreciate the power of tourism in the state and the money it can generate, however, locally sustainable businesses in the state also generate substantial taxes deserve a right to exist also.
Randy Fernley
Coral Fish Hawai‘i
Aiea, O‘ahu
Our future matters
I am touched by the courage of the young people marching on Washington D.C. to tell the Congressional Super Committee to keep their hands of Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid. They have their backs against the wall and they are fighting for their future.
We have to “just say no” way to drastic cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
There is an alternative to cutting the programs that provide seniors and the poor a chance for a decent life: Let the Bush tax cuts expire, increase taxes of millionaires; restore the micro-tax on investment transactions; and restore the capital gains tax from the 15 percent it is now to the 35 percent that is was in 1978.
Take those revenues and invest them in renewing our country’s infrastructure in all its dimensions — transportation, telecommunication, education, and energy.
We can build good roads and railways. We can make America’s Internet network the best in the world and affordable for all Americans. We can create a green economy and new green jobs.
Creating the opportunity for a decent life for younger generations is within our power. We just have the courage to make tough, enlightened decisions and make our elected representatives enact our will. Trekkie or not, make it so.
What drives me to say this is the Forbes article titled “The Top 0.1% of the nation earn half of all capital gains.”
Things are out of balance. Time for fairness, justice, and life to come before corporate profits.
David Thorp, Kalaheo
On labeling GMO foods
To the growers of GMO foods, and the politicians who support them, to quote our local folk hero, Makana’s new song “We are the many, you are the few”, we, the many want to know exactly what we are eating.
You the few, don’t want to grant us that right out of greed and the fear that if we are told what we are eating in the form of GMO labels, we won’t buy those products.
And yes you are correct in your assessment. We, in this house, do not want to consume Bt corn, corn that contains its own pesticide.
Just think about that one, if it kills insects, butterflies and bees, what do you think it’s going to do inside a human body, what is it going to do to the delicate balance in our digestive systems of flora and fauna, and the natural bacteria that break down and assimilate food or just the affect of a noxious toxin on the walls of your stomach and colon?
Don’t you want to know when you are eating a pesticide?
It is our right as humans beings and consumers of food to know exactly what is in the food we are eating.
When are our elected politicians going to start representing “the many” ?
Tashi Maclaine, Lyra Drouin, and Abigail Jones
Kapa‘a
Safe driving
Just a little comment about those drivers who police others.
I saw a lady making a left turn onto Kuamo‘o Road by Coco palms. She then stopped mid turn blocking both lanes to Lihu‘e to turn inside her vehicle and motion to oncoming traffic to slow down.
Now that’s what I call safe driving! Right there a serious mishap could have occurred.
Please before the need to police others arises, you may wanted to police yourselves. You may mean well, but your actions may end up causing an accident rather than preventing one.
On the same highway we all know where and how quickly the two lanes to Lihu‘e end after the bridge. To those drivers that go to end then force their way back into traffic, do you think it may have gotten extended during the night?
If you insist on going to the end, please have the courtesy to wait for a safe opening to merge into the right lane. I would appreciate it, and I’m sure others would as well.
Sean Ornellas, Lihu‘e
