CONCON

CONCON GETS PEOPLE INVOLVED IN DEMOCRACY

Thanks for your editorial endorsement of a "no" vote on the ConCon. You are right in so many ways:

• We can't afford the few million it would cost when we have the billion-dollar sewage bill and the multi-billion train project we have to pay for.

• We can always depend on our legislators to do the right thing, like vote for term limits or prohibit chairmen from killing a bill the whole committee wants heard.

• We don't need initiative or referendum — our leaders know best. It's silly to let the people have a direct voice. After all, incumbents seldom get re-elected and we have such a high voter turnout so everything must be OK, right?

• It's only been 30 years since the last ConCon — what's another 10?

I sure hope I'm around to see you remind the people again in 2018 that's there's no need to get the people more involved in our democracy.

STRYKERS

TRAINING RANGES ARE ESSENTIAL IN HAWAI'I

While the Oct. 20 article's headline, "Stryker project will create jobs in Hawai'i" is true, the story did not include a very important aspect — adequate training ranges in Hawai'i are essential to prepare our soldiers for combat.

Your Army is stretched by continuous conflict to a level not seen in decades. We don't have the luxury of time to prepare for all potential enemies, nor can we predict where or when the next conflict will occur. We know our forces must be prepared to respond almost immediately in a very volatile environment. To do this, we must train.

Our ability to protect economic interests, promote security and rapidly react to any threat in the Pacific and elsewhere is tied to combat readiness, which is directly tied to the ability to access training ranges here in Hawai'i. Combat readiness is only achieved by training, which ultimately saves soldiers' lives.

We know there's a delicate balance between meeting training needs and preserving the precious Hawaiian 'aina. We're committed to protecting this environment and the rich culture of Hawai'i.

We take extraordinary measures to protect the lands entrusted to us, ensuring we balance training activities while protecting our environment and cultural resources.

FOOD COSTS

REVOKE REGRESSIVE FEE ASSESSED ON CONTAINERS

Gov. Linda Lingle's administration welcomes the focus your Oct. 20 editorial ("Rising food costs demand a stepped-up response") placed on rising food costs and the need for a stepped-up response to ensure our residents can cover this most basic need.

Gov. Lingle and Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona have always been concerned about the cost of food in Hawai'i and made legislative proposals to eliminate the general excise tax on 11 basic food items, including milk, juice and eggs.

Rather than enact proposals to decrease the cost of food, the 2008 Legislature passed a bill that will increase food costs by placing a new fee on the containers shipping food and other essentials into the Islands. It is estimated this fee will cost Hawai'i consumers an additional $16 million to $25 million per year.

Gov. Lingle vetoed the bill, but the Legislature overrode the veto.

Recognizing the rising cost of living our residents are facing, governor has pledged to propose legislation to revoke the fee when the 2009 Legislature convenes next January.

We welcome The Advertiser and those organizations involved in feeding the hungry to join us in asking the Legislature to remove this regressive fee that has been imposed at the worst possible time.

MARINE RESEARCH

UH, HAWAI'I WILL LOSE IF KEWALO LAB SHUT DOWN

The Advertiser article, "Marine lab researchers losing prime Kewalo site" (Sept. 29), included incorrect information attributed to University of Hawai'i-Manoa Vice Chancellor Gary Ostrander, which we are writing to clarify:

• Kewalo Marine Lab is badly deteriorated and needs replacement. Fact: a university-funded study determined the building is sound and can be restored for about $350,000, close to funds Ostrander previously offered to the lab director.

• Closing the laboratory is necessary because of UH's constrained finances. Fact: Omitting faculty and staff salaries (Ostrander has said no one will be laid off with lab closure), the lab's bills are matched by overhead funds awarded with federal grants generated by Kewalo faculty.

• Ostrander is working to find suitable space for Kewalo researchers at UH-Manoa, Coconut Island (HIMB) and the Waikiki Aquarium. Facts: A steady flow of high-quality seawater is essential for research conducted by scientists at the Kewalo lab, and is not available on the Manoa campus. Facilities at HIMB are filled and Waikiki Aquarium lacks space for all of the Kewalo researchers.

If the Kewalo lab closes, UH and Hawai'i will lose a first-class facility, shut down important federally funded marine research, and abandon an excellent training facility.

Given that his own primary affiliation at the university is in the Cancer Research Center, it appears that Dr. Ostrander has a significant conflict of interest in trading KML to HCDA for a Cancer Center parking lot. In his position as Vice Chancellor, he overseas all of Pacific Biosciences Research Center, Kewalo Marine Lab and the Cancer Research Center, making him simultaneously judge, jury and executioner.