Instead, if the law isn't repealed, we will have to pay more to import ethanol from the mainland because no producer in Hawai'i has any plants up and running.

And, since HECO's proposals to generate renewable energy are being shot down by the same liberals who asked for this law (such as the proposed wind farm on the Wai'anae coast), it is doubtful HECO will be able to meet the renewable targets anyway.

That, my friends, is a tax increase that will be passed on via higher electric rates.

The only real energy saving potential in all this is the opportunity to harness all the hot air coming out of the governor's office and the Legislature.

CONFINEMENT

FRIEND JOINS RUSTI IN HONOLULU ZOO 'PRISON'

Great news for Rusti. His entire life will no longer be spent in solitary confinement in a tiny cement cell. Now he has a bigger cell he will be confined in with another inmate orangutan.

What crime did they commit to be captured and displayed, like a curiosity, to the very species that has killed his kind off to the brink of extinction?

Sounds like he is not living the "American Dream" as his zoo/prison keeper says, but is yet another victim of the American way.

IT'S INHUMANE

COQUI FROGS DESERVE TO LIVE IN HAWAI'I, TOO

So legislators and volunteers on the Big Island and elsewhere in Hawai'i want to kill more coqui frogs.

Does the public understand that these beautiful little creatures are burned to death? That it takes more than 45 minutes for each frog to die?

These animals are dying because their beautiful sounds are deemed noisy and that noise is allegedly damaging property values.

What kind of a lesson are we teaching our children about respect for other creatures? Surely we can spend our money in a more humane way.

ACADEMIC FREEDOM

DEFENSE RESEARCH SHOULD BE OPEN

Mr. Sponsel, in his letter of Feb. 3 opposing defense research on the UH campus, asserts that "a university is ultimately about open, informed and critical inquiry to promote human welfare."

Had he done a little inquiry of his own, he would have found that funding from defense agencies has supported fundamental research at UH in earth sciences, oceanography, cancer treatment, tropical medicine, trauma treatment and a host of other fields beneficial to human welfare.

From all appearances, Mr. Sponsel's definition of "critical open inquiry" applies only to those who adhere to the ideological "flavor of the month." For the rest of us who wish to make our own decisions about what research we pursue, they seem to believe that the university should be a closed shop.

The actions taken by the UARC opponents are intended to deprive the UH research community of a legitimate source of funding and, hence, is an infringement on the academic freedom of the research community.

The university administration and the Board of Regents have an obligation to protect our academic freedom in the same way they would protect any other faculty member from ideologically driven interference in their work.

NOT FACTUAL

AUTHOR OF 'COLONY' SHOULD APOLOGIZE

Your coverage about "The Colony: The Harrowing True Story of the Exiles of Moloka'i" (Jan. 30) pleased me.

Last week NPR had a review of this book on an early a.m. program and I about fell out of bed as my chin dropped to the floor. Neither Father Damien's name nor the sacrifices of others who lived and served these unfortunates came up in the discussion.

Fortunately, someone later called in to report this major omission from the broadcast.

Based on Michael Tsai's report, the author John Tayman seems to be the perfect candidate for the next Oprah show.

Do any authors today know the difference between fact and what their minds prefer to be "facts" to promote their own lame writings?

Let's hope the author is at this moment writing an apology to those he offended by presenting his views as "facts."

COLD AIR

BUS UNCOMFORTABLE IN CHILLY ISLE WEATHER

I am now a semi-retired professional photographer and I do own a car and use it whenever I have to go on an assignment when driving is necessary.

As a senior citizen bus pass holder, I have been using Honolulu's excellent public transportation system when I do not need my car. I have found "The Bus" service very reliable most of the time and have been very pleased.

The only problem I have had with their service is their air conditioner during the early morning and evenings when it is very chilly outside, like it has been recently.

It would be very nice if the inside of the bus were warmer than the outside temperature but some of them have been much colder. I have complained about this many times but nothing has been done.

I hope a responsible person from the city transportation department reads this and takes measures to correct the problem.

FISH IS HEALTHY

DON'T OVERREACT TO MERCURY SCARE

For the vast majority of consumers the answer is yes: There is strong evidence that eating fish and fish oils (omega-3 fatty acids) is good for a healthy heart and long life. Fish oils are essential for the developing brain.

A Harvard study found that health benefits of eating fish far outweigh the risk from trace amounts of mercury.

This was the main message of the "Seafood & Health 2005" Conference in Washington, D.C., where health benefits and risks of eating seafood were presented. The main concern about mercury-in-fish advisories was that they are confusing and scaring consumers away from eating fish..

Let's be clear. Mercury advisories include a wide margin of safety to protect babies and young children.

Expectant mothers should be reassured that no health problems were detected in more than 700 children born to mothers that ate 12 fish meals per week (including tuna) during pregnancy. Consumers should be reassured that there has never been a case of mercury poisoning from eating tuna.

Misinterpreting advisories and giving up the health benefits of fish puts babies at risk and deprives the general public.

ANIMAL CRUELTY CASE

STATE NEEDS STIFFER PENALTIES

The Kahalu'u Animal Cruelty Case comes down to this: O'ahu high school teacher James Montgomery continually bred more than 50 dogs in cramped and filthy conditions without regard to their health or welfare, to sell their puppies. This case illustrates a clear need for a change in our law.

While Montgomery did plead guilty to 55 counts of animal cruelty, the sentence by Judge Nishimura was only $100 for each cruelty count and one year of probation. In addition, the acceptance of his guilty plea was deferred, meaning that he will have no record of conviction at the end of the probation year if he abides by certain conditions imposed by the court.

A disturbing part of the court's decision is that Montgomery was given the right to sell the dogs and was not required to reimburse the society for expenses we incurred for the care, feeding and rehabilitation of his 78 dogs for more than one year.

The Humane Society's total cost was $4,890 per dog — a total of $269,000. This is in stark contrast to the $100 per count of cruelty that the court fined Montgomery.

More importantly, these dogs were forbidden by the court to find new homes for over a year — then given back to sell to the highest bidder.

An important bill has been introduced in the state Legislature that would directly affect cases such as this. The bill involves custody rights of animals in cruelty cases.

It would allow the court to grant ownership to an agency, such as the Hawaiian Humane Society, if the owner charged with animal cruelty does not post a bond or provide some security for the care of the animals through the completion of the criminal trial.

As the recent Montgomery abuse case illustrates, it can take many months and even years to resolve and the care of these animals can be very costly for an agency.

The state Legislature has begun paving a path on this important issue for Hawai'i. I am confident that by engaging the voices in our Islands and working together, we will do what is right for our community.

For the sake of a better Hawai'i and the protection of our animals — voice your support for this bill. It is our civic responsibility to stand up for the rights of those who cannot voice their own suffering.

Tripler medical staff works to improve patient safetyI want to thank The Honolulu Advertiser for the "Special Report: Tripler Army Medical Center," as it provides a forum to expand both the state and national discussion on patient safety.

Tripler Army Medical Center's staff is committed to high-quality healthcare, excellence and patient safety.

Tripler is fully accredited, and we invite you to review our long list of accreditations (www.tamc.amedd.army.mil).

When we identify an error, we carefully investigate the facts. Using methods from high-risk industries with strong safety records, we evaluate failures. We report these errors to the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

JCAHO surveyors at Tripler in December 2004, praised my staff for innovation and our willingness to openly address patient safety.

The Department of Defense is more aggressive than other healthcare systems in reporting medical practitioners who have been named in claims and medical errors to the National Practitioner's Data Bank. Any time a claim is found to have merit and the care substandard, those practitioners are reported to the NPDB.

To the active duty service members and your families, retirees and your families, and our veterans — thank you for believing in Tripler and helping us improve the healthcare we provide.

We want to lead the nation in patient safety. When you have suggestions, use our Web site to share your concerns or recommendations. Or you may ask to see one of our senior leaders when you visit the hospital.

Medical mistakes happen at every hospital because human beings are not perfect. Some of these mistakes are tragedies for patients, the families and staff.

Tripler is not the only hospital confronting this problem — but we are working hard to be part of the solution.