Cigarette smoke flows into neighbors' homes

In response to Fred Remington's letter of Dec. 21 ("Smoking or not, the choice is yours"):

If people choose to pollute their lungs or stink up their clothes, hair, homes, cars, etc., they should have that option. However, I object when their selfish and thoughtless actions affect me and my family.

We own and have lived in a townhouse for the past 10 years. During this time we have been subjected to various inconsiderate neighbors who smoke cigarettes and cigars on their balconies. All this smoke flows directly into our home. These people know very well that tobacco smoke will stink up their homes. That's why they do it outside.

Why do we have to suffer the results of their disgusting habits? Why should we be forced to close up our home and turn on the air conditioner several times a day? Why don't we have the option to breathe the cool mountain breeze or evening air? What happened to my choice of having a clean-smelling home?

When I was sick with bronchitis, I was forced to choose between aggravating my condition by running the air conditioner or smelling that stench. What kind of choice was that?

M. Nihei

[Quotables] "This place has to become a place in which when anybody comes here, immediately they're going to feel the great power and strength and emotion of what it means to be an American." Rudolph Giuliani New York City's outgoing mayor, speaking in his farewell address Thursday near the site of the World Trade Center. "Throw the book at her. She has done this two more times." Nancy Matthews Grandmother of Sheila Matthews, who is accused of kidnapping Marcella Anderson's 16-month-old daughter, Jasmine, from a Chicago bus station on Christmas Eve. The child was found apparently unharmed yesterday in West Virginia. Matthews pleaded guilty in 1988 to kidnapping in Washington state, according to Chicago police.

Should pastries be subject to luxury tax?

Our governor is determined to raise an already high alcohol tax so that it can be the highest in the nation. Never mind the restaurant and hotel industry, which are hurting, or the tourist industry, for which the state contributes millions to attract visitors.

I guess once we get the tourists here it's too late; they can't get in a car and go to another state. Neither are the residents who enjoy a cocktail or wine before or with dinner considered. We are all being lumped into the category of people who create traffic problems and cause health providers to expend scarce funds for alcohol abuse. Here lies the justification for a luxury tax on alcohol.

Well, here's an idea for a luxury tax on a yet-to-be tapped source. Everyone will agree that bread is a diet staple. But are doughnuts, pastries, pies, cakes and other assorted baked goods? Can you even estimate how many such items are consumed every day at business meetings, conventions, offices, breakfast, fast-food stores and many, many other places?

Can you also imagine the revenue that would fill the state's coffers if every doughnut and pastry had just a one-cent tax, or eight cents on each pie (eight pieces), 10 cents on each cake, etc.? The revenue could go to the health providers for treating diabetes, obesity and heart problems -- serious problems in Hawaii and nationwide. Think that's enough justification for a luxury tax?

George L. Kekuna
Mililani

Artificial reefs would help fishing industry

NHK recently broadcast a story on the new Kansai International Airport, which was built on an artificial reef that has increased the fish population. The reef was laced with algae and plants that produced plankton for the fish to feed on and the fish reproduced in what authorities deemed a no-fishing zone.

The bigger fish had left the boundaries for bluer waters; now the fisherman in the area are reporting an increase in their catches.

What an excellent thought for the government of Hawaii to consider: Build artificial reefs and zone them off as no-fishing zones, but leave them open to surfing since it would pose no threat.

I believe it was Fred Hemmings who originally came up with the idea of using unwanted cars to build artificial surf breaks. It seems almost Stone Age to build junkyards in Hawaii's waters, but Japan has definitely come up with an improvement in Osaka Bay.

Why not make Hawaii the surfing capital of the world, with numerous surf breaks lined along some of the coasts of the islands? With a rejuvenated fishing industry, Hawaii may even produce enough fish for export, bring in the sashimi lovers and revive Japanese tourism as well.

Tom Evans
Bangkok, Thailand

Trash collectors embarrass Hawaii

I was watching CNN the other day as it was broadcasting items about the war on terrorism and how the events of Sept. 11 were affecting those who lost loved ones as well as those who continue to work at recovery efforts. A banner ran across the bottom of the television screen that said, in effect, that trash collectors in Hawaii were upset because the practice of residents putting Christmas gifts out for them was being discontinued or discouraged.

If it were April Fool's Day, I would have burst out laughing. As it was, I cringed in disgust that this scenario of petty selfishness in Hawaii should play itself out on national television. It's embarrassing for anyone who has any feelings at all.

Christina Waldeck
Torrance, Calif.

Misinformation hurts UH social work school

The Dec. 17 article regarding the University of Hawaii School of Social Work ("UH social work school in need of help itself") reflects the type of strategic and irreverent misinformation that has plagued the school's advancement toward a more responsible, diversified vision and direction.

What this article helped to publicize was the disgruntled viewpoints and actions of certain individuals -- not the entire faculty, not the National Association of Social Workers general membership, and certainly not the social work community, including our students. The so-called points of primary dispute were the consequences, not the source of core issues confronting the school.

It is a cheap shot to have our struggles watered down to a muddled portrayal of personality clashes and finger-pointing.

Mari Ono
Social worker

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