Bag ban wouldn't hurt store's bottom line
Thank you to Honolulu City Council members Ann Kobayashi and Donovan Dela Cruz as well as Maui Council member Michael Molina for introducing legislation to ban the use of nonbiodegradable plastic bags. All of us can make a difference by carrying reusable bags with us every time we make a purchase. This action will demonstrate to reluctant retailers that the proposed legislation will not hurt their bottom lines.
Betsy Bremer
Mililani
Taking away plastic smacks of socialism
When I looked at the front page of the Star-Bulletin on Sunday, on the top it said, "
Paper, plastic or politics?" and I laughed. Our state government is considering banning plastic shopping bags. What choices do they want to take away from us next? The federal government recently passed legislation that will ban incandescent light bulbs and force carmakers to build smaller cars than people want.
Don't get me wrong, I believe recycling and helping the aina is a wonderful thing to do, but not when you're forced to. The government's public face is the equivalent of charismatic used car salesmen, but if anyone defies their edicts, thugs with guns will show up to take away your choices. Politicians think they know better than we do about how we should live our lives. Let people choose how to live and what to do, not a bunch of socialists! Although our Constitution specifies a tiny government, written by people who from bitter experience with the British monarchy had a profound distrust of government, we've somehow strayed from this wise vision and elected a bunch of legislators who feel we are so stupid we need them to tell us how to live. Let people choose what they want, not those people who literally force you to give them money or their minions will show up at your door with guns, take your property and throw you in jail. What is happening to America?
Janae Rasmussen
Eighth-grader, University Laboratory School
Kailua
It's a matter of ethics, not politics
In October I returned from a seven-week vacation in Fagagna, a small town in northern Italy near Udine. I was pleasantly surprised when asked if I had my own shopping bag. Supplying my own would have saved me about 7 cents. After that first trip I was sure to keep a net bag in my purse. My cousin informed me they do this because it is simply a matter of being environmentally conscientious.
In addition, most homes have three recycle containers: compost (back to the garden), separated paper and glass/plastic, which are put in large bins at the end of the block and which the city collects periodically.
My brother lives in Glastonbury, Conn. He said their Stop and Shop offered an introductory free "green" bag to their customers for one month. Naturally it had their store logo! Now they cost $2.
I love Hawaii, so if this small change will help the environment, it's OK. To me it is an ethical, not political, issue.
Celeste Voeks
Mililani
Problems can't all be blamed on Frazier
It was mean and wrong for University of Hawaii President David McClain, UH-Monoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw, state Rep K. Mark Takai, Don Murphy, members of the Na Koa Football Club and others to blame Herman Frazier for the poor condition of UH athletic facilities and the departure of June Junes, who left UH because it was in his best interest.
UH athletic facilities and other UH facilities are in poor condition because our elected officials (the governor and members of the Legislature) have allowed them to deteriorate over the past years or long before Frazier arrived at UH.
What are the roles and responsibilities of McClain and Hinshaw in getting needed repairs to athletic and other facilities? Why were the Na Koa football booster club and wealthy UH alumni eager to fill the pockets of Jones, who said poor athletic facilities, not money, was the reason he ended his UH coaching career? How much money did the Na Koa club and wealthy UH alumni give UH for the upkeep/repair of UH athletic facilities?
Paul J. Watson
Mililani
We all should demand better for university
I took my two teenage sons to the Sugar Bowl. We have discussed where they want to go to college, so for reference's sake we visited the campus of Louisiana State University on our homeward-bound trip. We found how Louisiana seems to have more pride for higher education than Hawaii.
The Baton Rouge LSU campus is surrounded by lakes and fine homes. The campus itself looked like a private university: classic sand-colored buildings with immaculate lawns. The football stadium bloomed in the middle of the campus, a tribute to the LSU Tiger pride. All this while Louisiana ranks 42nd in per capita income.
Hawaii's per capita income is 20th in the country, and the Manoa campus of the University of Hawaii is unkempt.
Our leaders say they are surprised by the conditions there. Let's not leave it to them to turn the campus around.
The residents of Hawaii should have some pride for UH-Manoa from academics to athletics to its physical plant. We do not need excuses; we should demand these standards of ourselves.
Tom Cook
Honolulu