A TIME FOR THANKS

On Nov. 27, Americans will pause from their regular routines to share with family and friends in a Thanksgiving holiday meal and to reflect on all that is good in their lives.

Hawai'i, our country and the world face many challenges. The economy, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the energy crisis weigh us down. But there is still much we can be grateful for, both large and small.

We invite you to share with our readers the things for which you will give thanks on Thanksgiving 2008.

Send your Thanksgiving letters to: Editorial Assistant Stacy Berry via e-mail at sberry@honoluluadvertiser.com, fax to 535-2415 or mail to Stacy Berry, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu HI 96802. Letters must be received by noon Nov. 24 and may be published in print and online.

ECOLOGICAL BALANCE

COQUIS COULD CAUSE ENORMOUS DAMAGE

I challenge the contention by Soma Grismaijer (Nov. 17) that the coqui frog is a harmless "kama'aina" animal that should be appreciated.

Ms. Grismaijer's assertions and claims cannot be supported by any of the scientific literature nor recent local studies.

Two studies she cites (claiming no impact on property values and no negative environment impacts) were funded by a state entity of which I am chair (Hawai'i Invasive Species Council, Research and Technology Working Group). In fact, these studies reach the opposite conclusions.

First, property values are likely to decline almost 0.2 percent, amounting to more than $155 million on O'ahu alone. Second, her assertion that coquis will eat termites is disputed by recent Utah State University research on coqui feeding preferences in Hawai'i showing that termites represent less than 1 percent of the coqui diet. This study goes so far as to state that densities of coqui frogs in Hawai'i can be two to three times higher than in Puerto Rico. Thus, the potential for the frogs to cause severe damage to local insect populations is enormous.

To infer that insectivorous birds will switch to eating coquis belies a lack of ecological comprehension. The most likely birds to feed on coquis are non-native (bulbuls, for instance).

And, coquis are nocturnal feeders and will escape predation by birds. The coqui has the real potential to further unravel the sensitive ecological balance of what remains of Hawai'i's native ecosystems.

LET'S PROTECT NATIVE SPECIES, NOT COQUI

Soma Grismaijer's coqui commentary (Nov. 17) was misleading in areas, flat wrong in others.

Her claim that coqui reduce mosquitoes is questionable. A Utah State University study found, "No mosquitoes were found in stomachs, and termites comprised less than 1 percent of the total prey items."

Coqui spread from yards into forests, and will impact native insects. Native Hawaiian ecosystems are millions of years in the making. Perhaps we should protect the more than 10,000 native Hawaiian species instead of a frog that has invaded Florida, California and Hawai'i.

We can get used to living next to a freeway or airport, or having 5,000 calling coqui in our yards. But why would we want to, if we can prevent it?

RENEWABLE ENERGY

INVOLVE PEOPLE IN HAWAI'I'S ENERGY FUTURE

Mahalo for the various articles on energy in your Nov. 16 edition.

It is vital that Hawai'i get a real discussion going about our energy options and future. It is equally important that the information put out is correct so that there is reliable information in the public sector to have a discussion.

Sunday's editorial made a common mistake about hydrogen. Hydrogen is a battery, not a renewable energy resource. Hydrogen is not clean energy, but rather stores energy. About 95 percent of all hydrogen isolated for fuel cells use currently comes from fossil fuels.

With almost constant sunshine, prevalent trade winds and a deep, cold ocean surrounding us, Hawai'i has every renewable resource at hand, including sun, wind, waves and ocean thermal. This can all be done on a smaller footprint with distributed resources generating electricity near where the power is needed.

Creating a top-down energy plan for Hawai'i's future is problematic. The Hawai'i Clean Energy Initiative has mainly operated in secret. Life of the Land had to formally request a list of members on the various HCEI committees.

The HCEI is looking more and more like HECO's bailout plan as real renewable energy producers wonder where they actually fit into the picture.

When will our government learn that the people of Hawai'i are smart, resourceful and want very much to be involved in shaping our energy future? Don't let it become the HECO Cease Every Innovation plan.

HOUSING

TVUS AFFECT RENTAL POOL FOR ISLE RESIDENTS

David Richardson's letter (Nov. 13) stating there is no connection between affordable housing and short-term rentals in Lanikai is wrong.

Affordable housing is not just about the homeless. It's also about average working people finding it harder and harder to find a rental they can afford.

Ten years ago, there were four long-term rental homes on three properties directly adjacent to mine in Lanikai. Today, there are none. It started when those properties became short-term vacation rentals.

The lucrative business had a big effect on increasing the property values. A Mainland buyer wanted to change our condo rules by eliminating the paragraph stating short-term rentals were not allowed. Their vision of Lanikai didn't include local folks.

If our City Council makes short-term rentals legal, we'll see a lot more local people competing for affordable rentals as residential neighborhoods all around the coasts of O'ahu become high-priced vacation rentals.

I often wonder where those Marines, commercial pilots, carpenters, painters, commercial fishermen, waitresses, professors and their families who used to be my renting neighbors are living today.