What we need is more self reliance
April 03, 2008 | 06:37 PM

Whatever the product is if we need to import it to Hawaii that is not really solving the problem of self reliance. In these uncertain times I think we should focus our energy on what we can do to be sustainable like Pacific Biodiesel Hawaii--I totally support Kelly King and her company because it is locally run and fills a niche. One other important biofuel source that we could grow really well here in Hawaii is industrial hemp, we just need to change a few laws. Palm oil and cattle are just a few of the reasons land is being deforested, houses are another major contributer and we do need more affordable houses here in Hawaii, but with the rising cost of timber and oil per barrel, getting the wood for our houses is getting more and more unaffordable. That's ok though because there is an alternative solution and it is structurally certified bamboo that can be grown, harvested and ecologically processed right here in Hawaii, thus increasing our self reliance. The noninvasive varieties of bamboo are really good for the environment and would be a great way to support local people and industries from the plantation to the drafting table and construction workers, while keeping our lands in agriculture and restoring some of the damage done by unhealthy agricultural practices of the past. I believe this is a good future for Hawaii, check it our for yourself at bambootechnologies.com, whisperingwindsbamboo.com or bamboovillagehawaii.org, you'll be amazed at how far bamboo has come in the past decade. Homes aren't the only thing to be made with bamboo either, musical instruments, furniture, clothes, paper, etc. Instead of tax breaks for the oil companies who record billions in profit how about a little help for sustainable agriculture?

Tamara Paltin