INVASIVE SPECIES

HUMANS SHOULD FIRST 'LOOK IN THE MIRROR'

I'm all for eradicating invasive species (Advertiser, Aug. 10), but we as human beings should be mindful of what we deem as alien or as the article implies "invasive."

At some point, all the so-called "native plant species" on Earth were created, took hold, thrived and eventually became overabundant or invasive.

We need look no further than ourselves and be a bit more shamed at the most destructive and invasive alien species on the face of the Earth.

An Australian tree fern or an Indian rhododendron may seem villainous to some of us (myself included), but let's be realistic; "look in the mirror" and think of the billions of people on our planet, the mess we've created and then think of outer space as we invade further unknowns. Wars, murder (including capital punishment and abortion), famine and pestilence do eradicate our most invasive and destructive species.

ELECTION 2006

CASE MUST EXPLAIN ON FUNDING ISSUES

In response to a question at the Hawai'i Publishers Association lunch about the role of the federal government in public education, Ed Case was strongly critical of the administration's failure to fund federally mandated educational programs, particularly in the No Child Left Behind law. He indicated such a situation should not be allowed to continue.

In education and other areas, the administration has exhibited a propensity to cut federal funding of needed programs, forcing states to fund those programs. Many of those programs are critical to the well-being of Hawai'i's citizens and need continued federal funding.

Case has said on many occasions that he supports Bush's tax cuts. He needs to explain where he would find the funds to increase spending for NCLB. He obviously won't cut defense spending. So presumably he must consider cutting other programs that provide assistance to those in need.

AKAKA SHOWS IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE IN SENATE

Sen. Daniel Akaka's handlers are doing the right thing: no debates, no talk stories and no press conferences.

If you attended the joint appearance of Akaka and Congressman Ed Case, you would have seen Senator Akaka has lost his ability to think on his feet. He stumbled and fumbled on the majority of questions the audience asked.

Akaka can read prepared remarks and he told an interesting story, but when it comes to important questions like the Jones Act or when Hawai'i should transition to a younger generation, he rambles and forgets his main points — it was quite an embarrassing performance.

Hawai'i needs a senator who can vigorously debate and think on his feet. We need someone who can speak for himself.

Our elected leaders owe it to the people not to endorse Akaka because they know Akaka is way past his prime and he cannot ably represent Hawai'i now. The future of his abilities is bleak.

SEN. AKAKA HAS LOST HIS 'WARRIOR SPIRIT'

In regard to Dan Akaka's unwillingness to face off with Ed Case in a public debate, it is evident to me that Senator Akaka has lost his "warrior spirit."

His unwillingness to go into the ring and face his opponent in Hawai'i shows me he cannot stand up for Hawai'i in Washington.

MATSUNAGA OFFERS IDEAS ON RENEWABLE ENERGY

I recently read on Matt Matsunaga's campaign Web site that he has an in-depth plan to increase the use of renewable energy. I'm glad to hear a candidate talk about this critical issue.

Matsunaga lays out a range of proposals, from tax credits for wind, solar and ocean energy to increasing miles-per-gallon requirements in vehicles. He talks about the United States' dangerous dependence on foreign oil and how it makes us more vulnerable to turmoil overseas. He talks about gas prices and how we in Hawai'i are paying more than our fair share to fill up our vehicles. What I like most of all is his appreciation for our natural environment. He emphasizes an often overlooked fact — that preserving the environment and small business can work hand in hand — not against each another.

I've been impressed from what I've heard from Matsunaga, and I'm looking forward to hearing more.

GOLF

WIE NEEDS GOOD CADDY TO HELP HER SUCCEED

The latest Wie happening is the firing of her caddy, Greg Johnston.

Johnston did not help her read the greens or putts, did not align her on shots, did not tell her when her tempo or swing went awry, did not advise her on handling hot weather, did not help her on dropping from unplayable lies, did not advise her on possible rules violations from bunkers, etc. Obviously, he did not advise her on the rules of golf. All he did was give her the yardages and carry her bag. He could have been replaced by a GPS meter and a pull cart.

I doubt if any of her success can be attributed to Johnston. The decision to fire Johnston was obviously made by her father, BJ Wie, with her concurrence.

I suspect a strong-willed teenager like Michelle wanted to make her own decisions and may not have wanted much help. Being young and inexperienced, she needs a good caddy to help her manage the courses, including reading the greens and advising her on the rules.

In any case, BJ Wie should be more sensitive to personnel management and discuss his expectations with the caddy.

KHON ANCHOR

HAWAI'I TV NEWSCASTS FOCUS ON LOCAL ISSUES

I wish UH film school head Chris Lee well in his efforts to have his students produce a 30- minute daily newscast on PBS Hawai'i.

However, he went a bit overboard in your Aug. 11 article, charging that Hawai'i's commercial television stations have become less focused on Island issues. He cites Mainland news directors running news departments here and a Mainland-type emphasis on weather segments. Not at KHON-TV. I obviously don't speak for the other stations, but weather is only emphasized on the Channel Two News when it's out of the ordinary, and our news director, Lori Silva, was born and raised in Hawai'i.

As for Lee's comment that local news departments are not doing a very good job of covering issues that are important to local residents, I believe the reason the Channel Two News has been No. 1 for so many years is that we focus on the local issues that are important to so many people here: homelessness, traffic woes, healthcare and the high cost of living in the Islands.

Our Mainland owners have pretty much left us alone in the day-to-day operation of our news department. Now, if they'd only approve the money for more reporters and cameramen to cover the news — but, that seems to be an issue at all news organizations, print and electronic.

I suspect it will also be a concern at PBS, should it launch a daily newscast.

ADDICTION

SMOKERS WILL FIND WAYS AROUND THE BAN

Your recent article about the Japanese tourists who may choose not to travel to Hawai'i for their vacations due to the upcoming smoking ban is a repetitive and very old subject.

No business has ever lost money because of a smoking ban — this is a fact shown time and time again.

Smokers (nicotine addicts), just as other addicts, will do what they have to do to get what they have to have. Smoking in no-smoking areas, throwing lit cigarette butts out the car window, burying cigarette butts on the beach, smoking in restaurants while others are eating are some of the coping mechanisms (rife with denial) that smokers use to continue their addiction.

Smoking bans will just foster new and interesting ways for nicotine addicts to circumvent the basic rules of decency and safety. Like all addicts, smokers are fully aware of what they are doing. They just are unable to stop due to the illusionary and delusion-based nature of the disease of addiction.

If you are a smoker, please get help for your addiction before you pass the point of no return.

TERRORISM

MONEY WASTED ON AIRPORT SECURITY

It is outrageous that all the search efforts and the money the U.S. has spent for airport security would not have had the slightest chance of detecting the kinds of materials used by 20 would-be bombers in Britain. What is even more outrageous is that this same terrorist plan was tried in 1995 on flights over the Pacific.

On top of that, the British plot was foiled by agents who infiltrated the terrorists in their neighborhoods, not by any airport security measure. Did these sharp agents "profile" the terrorists successfully, or did they just infiltrate all sorts of groups hoping for some good luck? It's about time to get real and stop the idiotic political correctness of treating every man, woman and child as an equal threat. Possibly the only advantage we have in our defense is that we have a pretty valid description of terrorist suicide bombers. This may be unfair to many wonderful people, but at this point we have to put the value of uncompromising fairness in perspective. The waste of our airport security dollars is obvious and shameful. I wonder what steps we would be taking had these 20 bombers succeeded.