Honolulu Star-Advertiser © Susan Scott
April 14, 1997
Not long ago, I was visiting John Flanagan, the editor and publisher and computer wizard of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. We were discussing what to write in the little blurb at the end of my column.
“Why don’t we print your e-mail address?” he suggested.
No, no, please not that, I thought. The last thing I need in my life is another level of conflict with my computer.
But I hesitated a tad too long, and to my dismay, saw SusanScott@hawaii.rr.com appear on John’s computer screen. The deed was done.
Oh, well, I thought, as I left the office. Probably no one will write me anyway.
How wrong I was. People from all over the country are reading the paper on the Internet (http://starbulletin.com) and dropping me cybernotes. Now I can’t wait to check my e-mail each day. The questions and comments are usually thoughtful, sometimes challenging and always interesting.
One reader from Ohio State University wrote, “I was wondering if it’s legal to bring black coral into the U.S. from other countries?”
Good question. I called the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and learned that black coral is protected under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).
This means that if a person brings it in to sell, a CITES permit is required. Local U.S. Fish and Wildlife offices have the details on permits.
Eight pieces of coral is the cutoff number for personal use. Customs officials consider more than eight pieces a commercial enterprise.
It is illegal to bring any kind of coral into the United States from some countries, such as the Philippines. Others may or may not be OK legally. You have to check each.
Besides the legality of the practice, there’s a moral issue to selling coral. Corals are extremely slow-growing animals that people are killing in ever-increasing numbers throughout the world. This depletion threatens not only corals but other marine species that depend upon coral for survival.
This is a good reason not to do it.
Another reader from South Florida asks if I know a remedy for stings from creatures called thimble fish larvae.
Despite varied opinions, there seems to be no great cure for any kind of jellyfish sting.
Currently, Honolulu City and County lifeguards are testing different substances and temperatures on jellyfish stings. By next year, there should be some new recommendations based on this scientific study.
In the meantime, rinse off the tentacles with vinegar for box jellyfish and either fresh or sea water for other species, then ice the sting for pain relief.
A former Hawaii resident now living in Michigan liked my St. Patrick’s Day column on things green and marine. Sounds like he misses Hawaii.
My Kaena Point column reminded another former resident, now in Texas, of her fondness for Hawaii. “Kaena Point will remain in my mind forever. The starkness of the black rocks with salt crusts on them surrounded by broken white coral is remarkable. One time we saw Laysan albatrosses nesting and at sea. Thanks for the column, it makes my day much happier.”
Some readers ask questions that stump me. A New Mexico reader asks which big game fish makes a motorboat type of sound. I’ve never heard of that, but I’ll ask around.
For a report, a sixth-grader wants to know how many sea otters die each year from oil spills. Oops, no clue. Anyone?
I’m now grateful that John dragged me kicking and screaming into the world of e-mail. It makes an already great job even more fun.
And besides, how else would I ever get a one-line message about my ambergris story that says, “Long live whale poop!”
Please don’t stop writing.