Invasive species fight requires collaboration
I’m responding to a comment made in the article, “Tougher restrictions sought for transportation of plants.”
The Hawaii director of the Center for Biological Diversity stated, and I quote: “So, it’s a case of private interests and for-profit industries stepping on public welfare.”
This is misleading, and it couldn’t be further from the truth. And it’s unwarranted to condemn all the local family-run nurseries throughout the state as caring about profit over public. We care about our communities and the environment that our kupuna, children and grandchildren live in, like everyone else.
Creating division will not conquer the enormous invasive species challenges our state faces. It needs an “all hands-on deck” approach that includes government, agriculture, conservation nonprofits, the private sector as well as private citizens to address this very complex issue.
And collaboration is essential in this age of climate change.
Eric Tanouye
President, Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association
Where were the UH-60 helicopters?
As a 30-year retired veteran, I am more embarrassed than disappointed for the Nov. 18 aircraft display at the Civil Air Patrol building (in Hilo).
If you look at the advertising, you’ll see a variety of National Guard and civilian aircraft that we normally see in our skies.
Absent are the UH-60 Black Hawks that are parked right next door to all the aircraft being displayed.
My biggest disappointment is having my grandson’s Boy Scout troop there with no UH-60s to get excited over.
The National Guard, especially here in Hawaii, is known as a community-based organization. The officers, mechanics and pilots are all part of the community and support the community at large. What has changed!?
All you needed was a tug and a crew chief. Move it, open it, secure the aircraft, standby and repeat in reverse.
I would like to hear what lame excuse leadership at the facility has for the UH-60s not participating in the aircraft display? Disappointing!
Andres Salvador Jr.
Hilo