SUPERFERRY FOES STRANGELY QUIET NOW

An article in the Advertiser (Aug. 23) in the business section indicates an increase of cruise ships into the Islands. This raises an interesting parallel. Where are the environmental groups?

Seems as long as ships, airplanes fly into the Islands bringing tourists and coming from all parts of the world bringing various species and organisms that could pollute the Islands, there is no outcry. Yet when the Superferry tried to ply the waters within the Islands, there were outcries from environmental groups and other groups that it would pollute the Islands. Strange, isn't it?

Outsiders apparently will not pollute, yet traveling from one island to another will cause pollution with things natural to Hawai'i. Think of all the shipping containers that come from all over the world. Could they possibly bring any new species into the Islands?

I get it — if it's from the outside it brings tourists, commodities and food, but from the inside it's primarily travel to visit local families and to ship local products between the Islands. No money in that. Maybe we should grandfather what exists today and in the future require an EIS on anything new such as cruise ships, airlines, etc. That's what was done to the Superferry since it was new.

John P. Gallagher | 'Ewa Beach

AFGHAN WAR

U.S. DUPLICATING SOVIET STRATEGY

In "Reassessing the Afghanistan war" (Commentary, Aug. 23), Richard N. Haass describes the conflict as a "war of necessity" in the wake of 9/11 that became a "war of choice" as we attempt to facilitate the establishment of a stable government in Kabul, to resist the advance of the Taliban and al-Qaida.

From my eyes, regardless of necessity or choice, our military is duplicating the strategy of the Soviets, who were unsuccessful in their seven-year Afghan war.

My impression is that the Soviets focused on conventional warfare in a battleground more suitable for guerilla combat. For this reason, I believe the United States should concentrate on deploying our guerilla soldiers — Seals, Special Forces and Rangers — to the war zone, with sufficient conventional troops backing them up.

Moreover, President Obama should clearly define our objective in the war. Are we fighting to eradicate terrorists? That is impossible, I believe, because when one terrorist falls, another terrorist rises. Without a clear goal in mind, we risk the quagmire of an unchosen war of interminable duration.

Stuart N. Taba | Honolulu

STATE CUTS

INSPECTIONS VITAL TO EXPORTS, AGRICULTURE

Are Hawai'i's agricultural exports endangered? I think so. There is much reporting about the cuts looming for Hawai'i's agricultural inspectors, emphasizing the impact of fewer inspections on food to be eaten here. That's critical, but don't forget how important agriculture is to Hawai'i's exports.

In 2008, our farms sold more than $100 million of food, flowers and coffee in foreign markets — perhaps 15 percent of our total production. Inspections are vital for these exports, because other countries — just like ours — demand inspections to protect their citizens from tainted food or dangerous pests. If we can't get the inspections done, then we can't get the sales done.

Our quarrel over layoffs versus furloughs may kill 15 percent of our agricultural sales. What's that going to do for Hawai'i?

And we haven't even spoken about aquaculture exports, a beaming light for Hawai'i's future. The Department of Agriculture's inspectors handle these products, too.

The money isn't there, so it's either furloughs or layoffs. Will we cave into those forcing the layoffs, thus killing exports and nongovernment jobs in agriculture?

Stephen K. Craven | Chair, Hawai'i Pacific Export Council

MAIL-ORDER MEDS

QUALITY OF HEALTH CARE IN DANGER

We want to applaud Greg Wiles for his recent insightful story ("Hawai'i state, county workers must fill prescriptions by mail," Aug. 6) that raised a very real and serious concern about how members of the Hawai'i Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund are being forced to refill prescriptions from a Florida pharmacy.

Not only does this new practice take business away from local businesses but, even more troubling, it means the loss of face-to-face consultations provided by local pharmacists. This, in turn, means a loss in the quality of health care for Hawai'i's residents.

Instead of warm, personal and customized health care provided by local medical professionals, this new approach means members are stuck with generic, impersonal care that's way less effective.

Unfortunately, this is just the tip of the iceberg. This change to mail-order prescriptions is a symptom of a larger and dangerous trend toward limiting a patient's ability to deal directly with their own doctors.

In our rush to try to save health care costs, we're limiting access to quality health care, which ultimately will cost even more money.

We urge Hawai'i's lawmakers and others to put a stop to this alarming trend that limits patients' access to doctors and to the high quality care they deserve.

Rafael del Castillo | President, Hawaii Coalition for Health

POLITICAL VIEWS

TIME FOR BOTH SIDES TO SEEK SOLUTIONS

In his Aug. 23 letter to the editor, B. J. Dyhr complains that "liberals" have lost their tolerance for other points of view. I think I know the reason(s) why. The names Limbaugh, Beck, Hannity, etc. pretty much sum it up.

As an independent, I have always prided myself on respectfully considering all points of view. But after listening to people like Limbaugh and Beck abuse and mock those with opposing views, I am ashamed to say I have started to become like them. Only in my case I am starting to mock and deride the things they say.

I look forward to the day when liberals and conservatives alike step away from calling each other names and seriously look for solutions to the problems that face us. A good place to start is to stop empowering the people who make a living in the "theater of hate."

J.B. Young | Honolulu