‘Very concerning’
I went to the “Birds, Not Mosquitoes” presentation at the Wiliwili Festival. I have looked over much of the Maui environmental assessment for this experiment, which would release 40-plus billion Wolbachia bacteria-injected mosquitoes in Hawaii yearly with no end date. Their hope is to save native birds.
My family has been on island for 25 years, and I remember seeing native birds many years ago. I have respect for the heart that is behind this experiment. However, they have no plan if anything goes wrong. That is very concerning.
It literally states in their assessment that they don’t know if this is going to work to save the birds. The outcome is “unknown.” They intend to do this experiment for a minimum of 20 years and create a bio-lab that would make these mosquitoes here in Hawaii.
Their goal is to only release male mosquitoes because they don’t bite and will sterilize females. From their assessment, they know it is likely females will get out. If a female gets out and mates with an injected male, she will not only breed more females, but a new type of mosquito.
Dr. Lorrin Pang, a tropical disease specialist, believes this experiment is a very bad idea. He says there would be horizontal gene transfer, and there is no way to undo that.
The speaker from “Birds, Not Mosquitoes” wasn’t concerned with my questions or comments. At one point, someone from the audience stated, “You have 900 scientists telling you this is a good thing, and one that says it’s not.”
It takes one person to tell you the ship is sinking. Hawaii should abandon this project. Messing with Mother Nature is never a good idea.
People, the birds, and the ‘aina would suffer the consequences if anything goes wrong.
Michelle Melendez
Hilo
Senior housing ideas
The veteran-focused senior housing units across from University of Hawaii at Hilo and Waiakea High School are needed and wonderful.
One-bedroom units, yes. However, what if a senior wants to live with another person?
I feel strongly many seniors in all one-bedroom abodes, no matter where, need and want to be interactive and maybe helped by a live-in person.
Loneliness is prevalent. Many seniors are isolated from inner generational households, from younger folks who enjoy and help older folks.
Visiting senior housing on Kauai, I saw raised gardening beds full of flowers and vegetables.
I hope Hilo’s Hale Na Koa ‘O Hanakahi will encourage residents to dig in, grow and harvest beauties from our earth.
Lastly, color, both inside and out, lifts spirits and contributes to levity and fun.
Gary Harrold
Hilo
