Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 22, Number 4, 1 ʻApelila 2005 — Conserve ʻopihi [ARTICLE]

Conserve ʻopihi

The reason I am writing this letter is to try and offer protection to Hawai'i's

'opihi. I refer to the ad running for years in KWO selling Big Island 'opihi to O 'ahu or wherever. How many 'opihi have people shipped from Big Island shores to put money in their pockets? The poor 'opihi are becoming so scarce I am motivated to speak out. Please kōkua and help the 'opihi survive! People of reason must consider the loss of so many of Hawai'i's fish, trees and plants we have seen in the last 50 years. The blessings of abundant resources are given to those who realize their value and take care of the natural environment. Resources are taken away by greed, and the 'opihi deserve better than this exploitation. I humbly ask you to consider nā 'ō'pio and what will be left as time passes. The Hawaiian people must protect and cherish their resources; it will give them the strength and courage to survive in this often brutal western culture. Money earned in a destructive manner will have bad results. Thank you for allowing me to express myself. I would hope the 'opihi pickers ean find something else to do to make money, and KWO will not advertise and promote the taking of Big Island resources in this manner. What happened to the 'opihi on O'ahu? K. J. Kent Hōnaunau OHA reserves the right īo eāiī aU letters for length, defamatory anā libelous material, anā other objectionable content, anā reserves the right not to print any submission. AU letters must be typed, signed and not exceed 200 words. Letters eannoī be published unless they and inchtde a īelephone 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.