• HB 1233 doesn’t merit a ruckus • Koloa trees are a treasure HB 1233 doesn’t merit a ruckus Re. Garrett Hashimoto’s letter “Stop bad bill from becoming law:” While I have not, as yet, read House Bill 1233, I
• HB 1233 doesn’t merit a ruckus
• Koloa trees are a treasure
HB 1233 doesn’t merit a ruckus
Re. Garrett Hashimoto’s letter “Stop bad bill from becoming law:” While I have not, as yet, read House Bill 1233, I feel Mr. Hashimoto is quite incorrect and attempting to cause a major ruckus over his statement that that there will no longer be ‘male and female restrooms’ and that due to the phrase ‘gender identity or expression’ anyone can be any sex they want, when ever they want. There will always be gender-specific restrooms, be they public beaches, hotels or health clubs. Progressive communities in Massachusetts,Conneticut, New Hampshire, New York, California and others have designated some restrooms, especially in the “seven sisters” colleges, to be for ‘transgender’ people.
Do you really believe that a trans-woman, presenting as female, and wearing a female bathing suit would use the men’s restroom? You probably see several trans people daily, and don’t realize it.
Gender identity and expression is a health issue known as gender dsyphoria. This means that sometimes, a male is born in the wrong body, with a female brain [scientifically proven as the male hypothylamus is larger than a female’s and the difference can be seen on cranial xrays and needs to transition to the target gender. Occasionally, a female is born with a ‘male’ brain, and knows she is in the wrong body. After much therapy, the person must live ‘in’ their target gender for at least one year, taking the appropriate hormones and ‘passing’ as the target gender. A therapist and medical doctor may then write a prescription for sexual reassignment surgery for the patient. If and when the person can save enough money to have SRS [sexual reassignment surgery] they normally travel to Bangkok, where the surgery is frequently performed, and is much less expensive than in mainland U.S.
After SRS, the patient may be granted a revised birth certificate, and get the appropriate driver’s license.
I personally know at least three born males who are in various stages of transitioning, and I also know several born males who have under-gone SRS. Most live quiet lives, and only want to be accepted. When you see a transgendered person, most often, you cannot tell they were not born in the gender in which they present. Most are quite attractive and very feminine.
I suggest Mr. Hashimoto view the newly released film “Transamerica” for a better understanding of what transgender truly means … or read some American Indian history about the revered shamans who were transgendered and known as “Two Spirits.”
- Chris Lovett
St. Pete, Fl.
Koloa trees are a treasure
We are extremely concerned about various aspects of the proposed mall development in Koloa Town. Of great concern are the historic and beautiful monkeypod trees that are located on the developer’s property. They are in jeopardy.
Under no circumstances should these magnificent, historic monkeypod trees be cut or removed. They ARE Koloa Town! They lend a unique and beautiful ambiance, provide shade and wildlife habitat. Also, since Koloa is located on a flood plain, the trees and greenbelt provide absorption of excess water. (Has an EIS by the County been performed?)
It would be an asset, not only to residents and visitors, but also to the developer to retain the trees and the greenbelt. This would accomplish a blending of the current historic business district with the proposed mall.
Due to rapid overdevelopment, our special island is becoming a concrete jungle, besieged with infrastructure problems and severe traffic congestion. We are consequently losing wildlife habitat at an alarming rate as well.
If we must have another unnecessary mall in Koloa Town, the developer should be required to preserve the greenbelt and all the magnificent old monkeypod trees. They are a treasure.
- Lila and Robert Dolan
Kalaheo
