GMO products are here to stay

Enough already of headlines displaying Kauai’s anti-GMO (genetically modified organism) scientific ignorance.

Kauai is rich academically with a famous botanical garden, fine college and schools, skilled foresters and farmers and globally significant research stations of our $250 million seed industry. Any of these scholars could download websites providing these facts:

» World production of GMO crops in 2012 was nearly 431 million acres.

» Never has refereed research proved negative effects of GMOs on humans.

» Farmers in 28 countries saw improved qualities and yields.

» Approved GMO patents in the U.S. covered 27 crops and 28 traits.

Seed research began on Kauai’s superb farmlands in 1970. We founded Hawaii’s Crop Improvement Association on Kauai that year.

Sadly, Hawaii ranks near the bottom of the 50 states for grades in science. And the U.S. is near the bottom of developed countries.

As we strive to improve crops, we must strive to improve Hawaii’s science scholarship.

Let’s face it: GMOs are here to stay.

James L. Brewbaker
Kailua

Greed, not Grinch, stole Thanksgiving

A grinch may have stolen Christmas, but corporate and CEO greed stole Thanksgiving, the second most important family holiday.

Bert West
Ward

Executive branch already too strong

Columnist David Brooks ("Stronger executive branch could cure America’s ills," Dec. 16) is an inspiration, as he fearlessly transitions from political commentator to political satirist! Good job, David.

At least I hope satire was his intent in arguing for greater presidential and executive branch powers as we witness the gross incompetence of government at all levels in implementing Obamacare, the many abuses of power by our executive branch bureaucrats and the exploding debt piled on the backs of our children by out of control executive branch printing presses.

America’s ills will begin healing not by seeking to be more like Japan or Sweden, but by reducing our reliance on government to "fix" every problem, increasing individual liberty and strengthening our citizens’ political IQ and participation.

Sadly, that is hard work and there is much less of our money in it for our politicians and bureaucrats.

Mark Torreano
Waikiki

Route No. 5 service still not adequate

In June 2012, peak-hour service of the No. 5 was cut in half.

In June 2013, after Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s announcement of restoring service, morning service improved a bit; restored were two morning trips leaving Manoa at 7 a.m. and8 a.m.This helps people who need to get to work on time and also schoolchildren.

But this change was very minimal and after hearing complaints from regular rider friends, more restoration of service is needed here.

Going to work or school, riders would like to get to their destination on time. On the way home after a long day, more buses would get riders home as soon as possible. Many senior citizens and tourists (going to Manoa Falls) also use this service.

The schedule should be restored to what it wasbefore the cut in June 2012.

Donald K.M. Au
Manoa

Help homeless with their hygiene needs

The main complaint about the homeless is their lack of hygiene.

When people are not able to take showers or wash their clothes, it takes away their dignity, and makes it even harder for them to find employment.

The military has portable showers that are used in combat zones. A laundry company has a tractor trailer with washing machines and dryers they send to cities where a natural disaster happened.

The city should get those two contraptions and send them around where homeless people congregate. That would give homeless people a chance to improve their dismal lives.

Wim Blees
Mililani

More development produces more taxes

Mike Gallagher asks if our real estate development boom is a quest for campaign funds or property tax revenue ("Honolulu may soon look like Hong Kong," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Dec. 19).

The long-story short answer is, "Both."

When the Texas developer acquired the land for Ho‘opili, its obviousintention was to resell it as residential lots at a 2,000 percent profit.

Our mayor has been conspicuously silent on the subject, but he’s the big winner: Imagine the guaranteed annual property tax revenue crop associated with transforming our county’s best farmland into residential properties.

Dennis Egge
Salt Lake

State could have afforded a flyover

Whoever requested a waiver for the Pearl Harbor flyover should be commended.

Unfortunately, the request was shot down by our government officials because of budget cuts.

What malarkey!

The Raptors were flying that day. I heard them the morning of Dec. 7; I saw them taking off that same afternoon.

How much would it have cost the government to have the Raptors execute a Pearl Harbor flyover to honor the Pearl Harbor survivors, veterans and their families, and then continue on with their training mission?

Surely, it would have been a fitting tribute to all.

Doug Souza
Pauoa