Big corporations are difficult to trust

While your editorial position calling for a more moderate reaction on pesticides and GMOs seeks to ameliorate the furor, it still remains the burden of big agribusiness to be transparent to the public ("Don’t overreact to farm fears," Star-Advertiser, Our View, Aug. 1).

Why should we not "assume the worst" of large agribusiness in Hawaii? The history of multinational corporations casts a large shadow over all such entities’ commitment to public safety and environmental preservation.

The BP oil spill, the devastating consequences of surface mining, the banking industry that sank the economy in 2008, and other examples should remind us of the long, tragic tale of corporate opacity — until after-the-fact disasters forced disclosure.

So is Bill 2491 an overreaction?

One way to avoid it would be for Syngenta, DuPont, Dow Chemical, BASF and Pioneer to voluntarily provide the information that the public and government want.

No more hiding behind cries of "public hysteria" and "the scientific evidence."

Let the corporations win our trust and support.

Daniel Benedict
Waialua

Governor at fault if appointed BOE fails

Arguing for a return to an elected state Board of Education, Amy Perruso and Doug Robertson claim that the appointed board gives the governor too much power and is undemocratic ("Appointed Board of Education gives excessive influence to the governor," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, July 28).

In reality, the appointed board makes the governor accountable for the performance of the Department of Education, the biggest portion by far of state government.

In other words, it lets him do his job.

Elections for Hawaii’s governors attract far more voter interest and participation than the old elections for the Board of Education, which were notable chiefly for sparse turnouts and near-total lack of interest among voters. Those election results were a travesty of democracy. Only special interests such as the teachers’ union could hope to benefit.

If they don’t like the appointments, vote for someone else for governor.

Don’t bring back those pathetic elections to the board.

Carl H. Zimmerman
Salt Lake

DUI arrest can cost more than $300

The headline of Thursday’s excellent report on Colt Brennan’s DUI conviction reads: "Brennan’s drunken drive costs him $300."

Whereas the actual court fine was $300, a "drunken drive" is likely to wind up costing between $5,000-$10,000 or more, including costs for a private attorney, increased insurance premiums, in-car breathalyzer, other court- assessed fees and rehab treatment.

Your readers need to know that driving drunk is not cheap.

Arkie Koehl
Vice chairman, Mothers Against Drunk Driving Hawaii

Seniors stopping Kakaako progress

I’ve been following the activity of the Kakaako master plan.

I also attend every single public hearing at the Hawaii Community Development Authority and the Ala Moana neighborhood board meetings.

These gatherings are filled with retirees in red shirts to stop development in Kakaako.

I’ve witnessed them lie to news reporters on camera regarding setback requirements and podium height limits that developers are allegedly "violating."

It’s frustrating to see progress stopped at the hands of an older generation.

Shouldn’t the elders secure a better future for the youth instead of sabotaging it?

Young professionals like myself and starter families need places like Kakaako after HCDA’s pedestrian-oriented development plan is carried out.

If you can handle progress and inspiration in one area, then I urge you to support the new developments on Aug. 7 at the HCDA main office.

We need to show how we care, too.

Matthew Yoshioka
Kaimuki

UH football prices discourage fan base

Hawaii News Now should be allowed to broadcast University of Hawaii football games.

Fans unable to watch their team play are changed from interested participants into casual observers.

Pay-per-view and high stadium prices have made UH football games inaccessible to almost everyone, thereby turning us into casual observers who are not choosing (or able) to spend $500-plus to take the family to a game or watch their team on TV.

Families used to share the event of a UH game on TV. Kids watched their parents "live and die" over what our football team did.

UH football was fun and important. That created lifetime UH fans.

If UH officials want fans to come to the stadium, they need to show their team on TV to a broad audience so fans want to go to the games, and they need to lower ticket and concession prices so those fans can afford to go.

Michael Richards
Kaneohe

Homeless need place to freshen up

It’s going to be difficult, but I think it is important to establish a place both in Waikiki and Chinatown for the homeless to relieve and wash themselves.

It’s the most humane solution to a growing mixedpopulation’s dilemma of where and when to go.

No one reallywants to be homeless.

Think about it.

People should show some compassion and humanity and get to work on this quickly!

Cassandra Aoki
Kaneohe