Aquaculture is drowning in executive ineptitude
Fact No. 1: Hawaii desperately needs new businesses.Fact No. 2: Because of the demise of sugar and pineapple, thousands of acres of land are now available for new farming ventures.
Fact No. 3: The state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) wants to improve Hawaii's depleted fisheries' resource, which is best accomplished through stock enhancement -- that is, aquaculture.
Fact No. 4: DLNR's Aquaculture Development Program (ADP) is a world leader in planning and development.
Fact No. 5: The annual cost of ADP is roughly $500,000, less than the price of an environmental assessment for a small public-works project.
Fact No. 6: Governor Cayetano recently announced that he wants to encourage marine biotechnology ventures, which ADP has been doing for two decades.
Fact No. 7: Governor Cayetano wants to abolish ADP.
Hello?
Brenda Reichel
Symphony deserves more respect from the mayor
During the past 30 years, our elected officials, through their inept and misguided actions, have ignored the voice and desires of the common resident. We have gone from a robust, diversified economy to bankruptcy.Now comes word that the city will deny the Honolulu Symphony use of the Blaisdell Concert Hall, to accommodate a stage play.
Are the mayor and his auditoriums director so dim-witted that they cannot multiply the number of days that the symphony will use the concert hall by a hundred years, and see that it will bring in more money than a short-term show?
All else aside, the symphony is part of the fabric of our life in this state. It deserves more respect than a few dollars in the city bank account.
Bob Parker
State workers are being penalized for bad economy
I may no longer live in Hawaii but the Senate proposal to cut state workers' salaries angers me because my mom is a state employee.I can just imagine what will happen if it passes. Since my mom works in payroll, this will directly affect her position. She'll probably have to work a lot of overtime to see the changes go through. Plus, her office is already short-staffed and cannot hire anyone because of the freeze.
My mom has been a loyal employee for about 25 years and it seems she is getting shafted for all her hard work.
There have got to be better alternatives. Maybe raising taxes is feasible. Other states with a lower cost of living have higher taxes (in Arizona, it ranges between 6-7 percent).
The bad economy should not be shouldered only by state employees, and definitely not in the form of job or salary cuts.
Vicki Asato
Scottsdale, Ariz.
(Via the Internet)
Please don't privatize the Ala Wai harbor
If you have ever wondered why the state should not privatize the Ala Wai harbor, go down on a weekend to see what goes on there. On a recent Friday night, there were 30-40 sailboats giving way to twice as many canoes. Both participants are yielding rights of way and thanking each other for the privilege of using the area.There are hundreds of high school children learning sportmanship, canoeing and teamwork, thanks to the canoe clubs. There are probably just as many single kayaks utilizing the harbor for pleasure, competition and a means to get out to sea.
Whenever we have seen commercial use of a harbor or its adjoining property, the pleasure craft have been pushed out and ignored. Please don't let that happen to the Ala Wai.
Jim Ferris
Allow legalized gambling in Waikiki to try it out
Legalized gambling in Hawaii would bring much needed money and jobs to the islands.Las Vegas is not a place that people want to bring their children, but Hawaii is perfect for this. Swimming and tanning at the beach by day and the slots by night. They'll come with a pocket full of money and when they leave, it will be in our pockets.
People are gambling here already anyway, and the bookies aren't paying taxes on that money.
Why not test out this idea in Waikiki, and leave the rest of the island alone? Waikiki is already about as non-Hawaiian as it gets, so it won't hurt a whole lot.
Personally, I don't gamble, but if others want to, let them gamble here.
Roy Lawson
(Via the Internet)
Silent majority would back legalized gambling
I get sick and tired of everyone back in the islands complaining about tough times, yet not wishing to explore avenues of stimulating the economy.The issue of putting the gambling idea on the ballot is a fair and just one. It gives everyone the opportunity to speak up. In Hawaii, this is very critical, as most of our island people speak only in private.
I am certain that when all is said and done, gambling of some degree would pass with overwhelming approval. It also is always those with a comfortable way of life who wish to close the door behind them.
Locals, and I mean real locals, not the five- and 10-year wonders, speak up. It is your home.
Jimmy Gomes
Las Vegas, Nev.
(Via the Internet)
Time-share tax sends wrong signal during slump
It is curious that your newspaper, which in the past has taken a pro-business posture, is now engaged in bashing an industry which has clearly benefited the state.The positive economic benefits to our state from the time-share industry alone is estimated at $500 million. This industry brings jobs to our state and generates significant revenues.
In these difficult times, we need "out-of-the-box" thinking, and should support industries that are helping our state recover from the economic doldrums. The tax on time-share sends the wrong message at the wrong time, and will be harmful overall to our fragile visitor industry.
Mitchell A. Imanaka
Chairman
American Resort Development
Association of Hawaii
State workers are being penalized for bad economy
I may no longer live in Hawaii but the Senate proposal to cut state workers' salaries angers me, because my mom is a state employee.I can just imagine what will happen if it passes. Since my mom works in payroll, this will directly affect her position. She'll probably have to work a lot of overtime to see the changes go through. Plus, her office is already short staffed and cannot hire anyone because of the freeze.
My mom has been a loyal employee for about 25 years and it seems she is getting shafted for all her hard work.
There have got to be better alternatives. Maybe raising taxes is feasible. Other states with a lower cost of living have higher taxes (in Arizona, it ranges between 6-7 percent).
The bad economy should not be shouldered only by state employees, and definitely not in the form of job or salary cuts.
Vicki Asato
Scottsdale, Ariz.
(Via the Internet)
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