Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 21, Number 10, 1 October 2004 — LETTERS TO THE EDITOR KA LEO KAIĀULU [ARTICLE]

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR KA LEO KAIĀULU

Ciguatera warning Please alert your readers to the hazards of reef fish. The article written by Claire Hughes and the mercury problem (Ka Wai Ola 09/04) are only the tip of the iceberg. Most deepwater fish do not carry harmful mercury levels, otherwise you and I would be dead long ago. I am close to 90 and have been on a reasonable fish diet my whole life. I've fished commercially. Ciguatera toxin in reef fish has been an environmental disaster in the last 40 years. Eating reef fish with ciguatera is not a "safe low-mercury reef fish." It ean kill you or make you deathly sick. Our laws should be the same - meat has to be inspected before being sold, but not fish? Solving this is a chore of our government. Leon A. Thevenin Kamuela

1920s, and toured extensively on the mainland and in the Far East. Tragically, he died in Paris in September 1930. Though aged only 23, he left a remarkable recorded legacy. We would very mueh like to contact living members of his family, and also Miss West, in hopes that further information may be obtainable. Mueh has already been discovered from newspaper archives, and the CD will certainly remind today's listeners of the huge talent of this remarkable musician, who was one of the very best of his day. I ean be contacted by mail at 218 Bannerdale Road, Sheffield S 1 1 9FE, England. Or write to Les Cook at 55 Hathersage Drive, Glossop, Derbyshire SK13 8RG, England.(lescook@glossop.uk.free serve.co.uk). John D. Marsden Sheffield, England

For those of us who reside in the Chicagoland area, it was truly an honor to host representatives from OHA and the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs. On behalf of all who attended the presentation, I wish to extend our sincerest mahalo to eaeh of you for your kōkua in empowering Hawaiians in the Midwest. Kūpa'a, kūkahi! One guest of the meeting observed that the most beautiful thing about the OHA visit, besides the fact that it was the first time Chicagoans had been recognized, was witnessing the diverse group of people committed to helping Kānaka Maoli and sincerely and humbly learning the 'oli "Nā 'Ōiwi 'Ōlino." Appropriate to our cultural practice, the 'oli elevated the visit to a higher plane, centering us and leaving us with a sense of plaee, purpose, and commitment to the future Hawaiian nation. Kūpa'a i ka nohona Hawai'i a'e kūlia i ka nu'u. Imua! Carole Lanialoha Lee-Sumberg Chicago, IL OHA reserves the right to edit all letters for length, defamatory and libelous material, and other objectionable content, and reserves the right not to print any submission. All letters must be typed, signed and not exceed 200 words. Letters cannot be published unless they are signed and include a telephone contact for verification. Send letters to Ka Wai Ola o OHA, 711 Kapi'olani Blvd., Ste. 500, Honolulu, HI 96813, or email kwo@oha.org.