• Wild chickens are pests • Enough with the nuclear fear tactics • All responsible for being stewards of the land • Tax credits for movie productions are insulting Wild chickens are pests Shearwaters nest above Queen’s Bath here in
• Wild chickens are pests • Enough with
the nuclear fear tactics • All
responsible for being stewards of the land
• Tax credits for movie productions are
insulting
Wild chickens are pests
Shearwaters nest above Queen’s Bath here in Princeville, on relatively level ground, not only on cliffs as the writer suggests. This area is easily accessible to dogs, cats, people and chickens. Is this the only such nesting area on Kaua‘i?
Mr. Samu avoids the issue of Koloa ducks. This stream-favoring bird doesn’t restrict its nesting to only refuges. It seems logical we should do whatever it takes to protect the last pure strain on the planet. Obviously streams are found outside of refuges.
It’s worth mentioning that according to a state biologist, miscarriage in monk seals has been traced to toxoplasmosis, which is spread by feral cats. Poultry chicks are a major food source for feral cats.
With respect to crop damage, I can put Mr. Samu in touch with a commercial banana grower who regularly culls feral chickens, and another resident who had an entire tree full of mangos destroyed in less than a day by these pests.
If federal biologists deem it prudent to eradicate chickens in refuges, why not elsewhere? When it comes to invasive vermin, the whole island should be considered a refuge for native species.
John Burns, Princeville
Enough with the nuclear fear tactics
I wondered how long it would take for the anti-nuclear fanatics would start in with the “I told you so” letters.
On March 17 Howard Tolbe reminds us that a candidate for our power co-op actually favors nuclear power, God forbid. Also tells us the future consequences for future nuclear power plants.
On March 18, John Zwiebel writes that the only way we can have future nuclear power plants is that the government must run them, but forgets the track records of government may kill everyone instead.
On March 19, Gary Salin writes and wants us to believe that nuclear energy is unsafe and not worth the gamble. He obviously speaks with his extensive amount of knowledge of Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, and now the disaster of Japan.
It seems to me that the 20 percent of our country’s power that comes from nuclear plants and the total amount of nuclear plants worldwide has a pretty good track record over the last 40 years or so of providing clean energy to the world.
The education and achievements have shown us a positive future. In comparison of track records and use, I can’t wait to see the letters from these same gentlemen and others when the next airliner disaster occurs and they tell us how to transport the people of the world more safely.
Steve Martin, Kapa‘a
All responsible for being stewards of the land
Kaua‘i’s magnificent scenic wonders are so breathtakingly beautiful that people are often stunned into silence as they gaze upon these treasured vistas all over the Garden Island.
Residents and visitors must ask themselves these questions: To what extent is it our kuleana (responsibility) to protect and preserve the island of Kaua‘i?
To what extent should the treasures of the island be opened to the public to wander about, poke around, trash, and unintentionally leave spores and seeds that came along undetected in their knapsacks or muddied boots to bring invasive species to our fragile ecosystem?
To what extent should we allow those few from the public-at-large to roam deep into our forests and valleys, to pollute our streams and rivers, or to leave their leftovers anywhere because they did not come prepared or with the mindset to “malama ‘aina”?
Unless and until we come up with enforcement systems that can effectively monitor the ways in which such accesses can be consistent and diligent, we will be left with the misery of cleaning up after the few who will desecrate the ‘aina and all of our finite resources from mauka to makai.
Remember, now, both residents and visitors are liable for their actions.
All of us are responsible for being stewards of the land. Otherwise, it would be best to restrict open access. We should not foolishly allow this to continue unabated.
Jose Bulatao Jr., Kekaha
Tax credits for movie productions are insulting
Tax credits to movie production companies in Hawai‘i are lost revenue that must be made up with new taxes on residents, or spending cuts by lawmakers.
While our legislators are lamenting about an $850 million shortfall (at least) in the state budget and Furlough Fridays, they still want to perpetuate and expand the motion picture tax credits.
These credits are a drain on the state treasury. If movie production companies want to obtain state assistance to help with their bottom line, there are other ways to do it.
They, and our legislators, ought to read Lowell A. Kalapa’s excellent suggestions (“The Tax Man: Movie makers and awestruck lawmakers,” The Garden Island, March 13)
Let’s put residents first for a change.
As a taxpayer, I am insulted that our legislators are so eager to provide such breaks for film companies, but refuse to provide tax relief for residents!
Roberta Griffith, Princeville
