Letters for Friday, December 1, 2017

State should take strong stand on plastic bags

I am currently a first-year student at Hawaii Pacific University here on Oahu.

While I am new to island life, I certainly recognize the the value of conservation and protecting the beautiful environment we have been gifted with. That is precisely why the plastic bag ban here in Hawaii puzzles me.

Has the ban really been proven successful? As a consumer, and someone who makes regular trips to popular grocery stores such as Walmart and Safeway, I have not noticed a decline in plastic whatsoever. In fact, these stores have found a loophole in the act by creating thicker plastic bags and deeming them “reusable.”

This plastic is still recycled right back into our environment, and the act that had so much potential to be revolutionary and a model for other states, has essentially backfired.

While I realize that these thicker plastic bags are projected to be banned beginning Jan. 1 of 2020, that is still two long years away. Four out of five grocery bags in the United States are plastic, and 100 billion plastic shopping bags are disposed annually in the US. How much more of this can our planet take? Should not Hawaii lead on this issue?

Maddisun Cashman, Oahu student

Women are strong, will lead the way

Thank you editors for three wonderful Forum pages. The first that captured my attention was a column by Kathryn Lopez, not my favorite columnist, on Nov. 19. I read it all the way through and keep a copy as reference.

What I loved was the quote, from Paul VI, “…Women of the entire universe, whether Christian or non-believing, you to whom life is entrusted at this grave moment in history, it is for you to save the peace of the world.”

Love this guy and agree a thousand percent.

What Kathryn brought forward was a column by Gary Hooser. He asked, “Where are the women?”

Right here and by the score, Gary. You brought to mind JoAnne who cannot run for office— but still has a voice and speaks clearly with irrefutable wisdom—and her column on Oct. 19 popped up. She wrote, “Kauai must manage resort development” Her words sweetened that page like honey on a bun.

Here’s what I know about women:

1. We don’t goosestep. It’s not our style.

2. We’ll never be caught wrapped in a sheet. Two empty holes at the top. Two muddy boots sticking out at the bottom.

3. Kittens with claws on the other side of the fence? Watch your backs. Sooner than you might expect you’re going to meet some very fierce and angry mother tigers defending their cubs in a manner becoming their feline fashion.

I hope I’m there to watch the fur fly.

Bettejo Dux, Kalaheo