The Advertiser's recent article about the importing of viruses into Hawai'i for the purpose of research has given me great cause for concern ("Isle security tight for deadly viruses," April 22). But what concerns me even more is the apparent secrecy under which this initiative is being conducted.

There was little public input until the University of Hawai'i sought state permission to import the lethal avian flu virus. Fifteen people submitted testimony in opposition at a Department of Agriculture hearing; the department ultimately approved the importing of the virus, 6-1.

The public is inexplicably being kept in the dark. In addition to the importing of the avian flu, SARS, West Nile and dengue viruses, the state has also approved the importing of three "unidentified microorganisms" identified as "potential bioterrorist threats." Our state government is hiding behind a federal law that allows the state to keep the identities of these organisms confidential so terrorists won't know where they're located or what they are. I for one would like to know what kinds of deadly organisms are being intentionally brought into our midst. Wouldn't it make more sense to have these labs on military installations where terrorists would have a much more difficult time gaining access?

People who have an interest in bringing these viruses into Hawai'i cite some benefits to importation: It will enable early detection, identification and containment in the event of an outbreak, which will protect our public health and safety, as well as our tourist industry; and create high-quality jobs.

I find it difficult to believe research conducted here on these viruses will substantially increase the speed in which an outbreak can be detected, identified and treated. Sending tissue samples to Mainland labs would not dramatically delay treatment. And while this new industry may attract high-paying jobs and capital, there are many other industries that would fit the bill without subjecting our citizens, environment and economy to the risk of an outbreak.

We are constantly assured that there is a high degree of safety in these Biosafety Level 3 labs. The same could be said for nuclear reactors, but we don't allow them in Hawai'i.

Recent headlines attest to the real possibility of accidents at these labs: "Flaws detected after TB infects 3 at a Seattle lab" (Seattle Times, April 29, 2005); "Bird flu accident at University of Texas biology lab raises allegations of cover up" (Fox News 7, Feb. 26); "Warning raised on lax biolab controls" (N.J. Star Ledger, March 11, 2006); "Lab accidents may lead to SARS outbreak" (Washington Post, Sept. 20, 2005).

There also was an accidental shipment of live anthrax spores to a lab at the Oakland Children's Hospital in 2004, which has since shut down its bioscience lab.

These labs are required to file annual reports to the state detailing the status and disposition of these imported viruses. The Advertiser reported that in three instances, they filed annual reports "several years late and only after an information request was made by The Advertiser." I have serious reservations about the safety of these labs and even greater reservations about their ability to self-regulate.

Proponents say that Hawai'i is "the most geographically isolated populated landmass in the world, making our ability to develop effective early warning disease-detection systems a matter of survival."

Hawai'i, being the most isolated populated landmass in the world, would be a perfect trip-wire because it would be fairly easy to seal us off from the Mainland if a virus outbreak occurred here. We are the ideal place to study these deadly viruses. If Hawai'i is being used as a trip-wire for the rest of the U.S., shouldn't we be informed and have a say in whether to allow this to happen?

As far as I'm concerned, you can take all the BSL-3 and BSL-4 labs in the world along with their deadly viruses, put them on an island in the middle of the ocean and experiment with these viruses to your heart's content.

I think I just described Hawai'i.

Bert Oshiro is a vice president of the Financial Services Group at American Savings Bank. He wrote this commentary for The Advertiser.