Nearshore fisheries remain healthy

Changes in fisheries and social demographics can account for restaurant menu trends ("Off the menu," Star-Advertiser, Aug. 10). It is false and irresponsible to surmise that historic menus are chronicling a decline of reef fisheries.

The importation of long-rangepelagic fishing talent and vessels have more than adequately addressed changing tastes of the mid- to late-1900s, as well as putting capture fisheries in the top 10 of Hawaii’s food crop industries at $112 million annually.

Nevertheless, Hawaii’s nearshore fisheries landings have remained stable and sustainable at 1 million to 1.5 million pounds annually since the commercial landing records began in 1948. The commercial recorded landings speak for themselves, regardless of the species’ absence on menus.

For example, akule, opelu and weke almost never show up in restaurant menus but landings remainhealthy and strong.

Hawaii’s nearshore fisheries are renewable,hugely important to islanders, and a feather in Hawaii’s cap: locally pro-ducedseafood that is healthy, sustainable, and something to be proud of and cherish.

Tony Costa
Hawaii nearshore fishermen

Gabbard should be expelled from party

State Sen. Mike Gabbard’s defense that he has constitutional immunity to introduce bills or vote without question is misleading. No one questions his constitutional rights as a legislator. His pretense to be a Democrat is what has been challenged.

Had he merely voted against the party platform on a matter of conscience he wouldn’t be criticized. Instead, he purposely introduced an amendment to prohibit same-sex marriage, in direct opposition to the party platform.

With his record of opposing equal rights for all, the Democrats should never have admitted him to the party when he asked to join. Now they should use this example of flagrant disregard for the party’s principles to kick him out. He should take his extreme views back to the Republican Party where he belongs.

Of course, that would mean giving up the advantages of belonging to the Senate majority, the only reason he switched parties in the first place.

Tom Sheeran
Moiliili

Cost of gas hurting college students

As gas prices in Hawaii climbed to $4.34 per gallon, everyone is feeling the pinch in their wallets. It’s a heavy blow to college students who, in particular, drive to class on a daily basis.

Most college students have a tight budget, and find it difficult to support themselves financially. The rising costs of tuition and textbooks place them at a heavy disadvantage. With the increase in gas prices, students, who commute between home, school, and work, often find themselves spending hundreds of dollars on gas alone.

However, when there is a will, there is a way. Students are encouraged to seek alternative forms of transportation. Nearby residents can choose to walk, ride a bike, or skateboard. For commuters, there is public transportation or carpools. Students can also catch the Rainbow Shuttle, the university’s free campus bus service.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of these resources. Take action, and leave less of a dent in your wallet.

Christina Nguyen
Kapahulu

Scientific theories explain the world

Clark Morgan’s letter regarding Richard Brill’s column betrays an unfortunate misunderstanding of the term "theory" as used in science ("Brill overstates evolution theory," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Aug. 10).

Gravity is "just a theory." Do you doubt it? No, because the evidence is all around us, and is understood so well that spacecraft can rendezvous accurately in orbit, and we can land spacecraft on Mars.

A "theory" is not just someone’s bright idea. In science, the term "theory" refers to a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of facts that have been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experiment.

The theory of evolution has been rigorously evaluated for 150 years. A vast amount of confirming evidence has been published and verified by other scientists.

In biological classification, "primates" is an "order" further subdivided into family, genus, and species. Specifically, we are of the genus Homo, species sapiens. So, yes, it is correct that we are primates, and also correct that we are a distinct species from other primates.

Elizabeth R. Conklin
Diamond Head

Rail won’t curtail urban sprawl

The City and County of Honolulu has contended that the pursuit of rail discourages urban sprawl and promotes the preservation of open space.

Of the proposed development projects on the Ewa plain, the amount of acreage set aside for agriculture, preservation and parkland is the same with or without rail on the landscape.

If rail is the means then to keeping the country country elsewhere, why are more homes being built from Nanakuli to Makaha? Shouldn’t new developments such as Koa Ridge, the expansion for Turtle Bay, a hotel for Haleiwa, possibilities in Hawaii Kai, and Envision Laie be taken off the table to support the premise that all growth is to be concentrated around transit stations and in the Second City?

Even the military’s plans for future housing are to develop prime agricultural lands in Kunia far away from the transit corridor.

Can you honestly say that rail will put an end to urban sprawl? If yes, name the property saved from development due to rail.

Tom Berg
Ewa Beach