• ‘As far as we comfortably can’ • Humane society being good neighbor • KIUC rates too high • Dear Sen. Inouye ‘As far as we comfortably can’ I respect Mr. Bulatao, and feel that he is addressing an important
• ‘As far as we comfortably can’ •
Humane society being good neighbor • KIUC
rates too high • Dear Sen. Inouye
‘As far as we comfortably can’
I respect Mr. Bulatao, and feel that he is addressing an important issue about just how far we have to go to change directions from a wasteful and destructive way of life.
The ultimate answer is, “As far as we possibly can.” But, the practical answer for today is, “As far as we comfortably can.”
Banning plastic bags is a fairly comfortable step, and any responsible human being can live without plastic shopping bags easily, with a little forethought.
For incentive, one only needs to have his or her conscience informed about the strangling of sea and bird life, as well as the poisoning of people who have to live in close proximity to the factories that produce this stuff.
Living on a small island, we have the privilege to be among the first see what the limits are, and also to be among the first in the world to start changing things for the better.
We can’t be totally consistent and pure, the way that we have become dependent on labor-saving inventions, with their up- sides and their inevitable down-sides.
But we can take small steps with relative ease. I know that many long-time residents have lived with less, whether it was because of the depression, or war, or just being on an isolated island.
They have demonstrated strength, creativity, and resourcefulness, always for a good cause. Banning plastic shopping bags is such a tiny sacrifice, and it should be a source of pride for this Island.
Michelle Dick, Kilauea
Humane society being good neighbor
Kimo Rosen, in a recent letter to the editor, wrote, “The County of Kaua‘i in association with the Kaua‘i Humane society supplies free plastic bags at approximately six dispensers along the beautiful pedestrian trail. It’s ironic our dogs are allowed plastic for their feces, but we can’t use plastic for groceries or food items.”
Kimo, the plastic bags used by the humane society are completely biodegradable, and are totally different from the plastic bags used by commercial stores on Kaua’i. The store bags are not biodegradable, which is the main objection against them.
The humane society’s bags are made to quickly break down in landfills. Exposure to sunlight also breaks them down. The bags are labelled “biodegradable,” and the manufacturer’s website is printed right on the bags for more information.
Comparing the humane society doggie bags to commercial plastic bags is very unfair, as well as totally inaccurate. By offering biodegradable doggie bags to the public, the Humane Society is being a good neighbor and protecting — not harming — the environment.
Richard Laue, Koloa
KIUC rates too high
Because I think our electric bills are higher than they should be, I wish to heartily endorse JoAnne Georgi for membership on the KIUC Board.
JoAnne is the fiscally conservative candidate and she has a vision and plan for the future, coupled with great ideas for KIUC.
As we see reputable predictions of $150 for a barrel of crude oil, we know our electric bills are going up. But JoAnne will look for ways to minimize cost increases while working to ensure that KIUC reduces its use of petroleum-based products.
Patricia Berg, Princeville
Dear Sen. Inouye
On behalf of the Sierra Club, Hawai’i Chapter, with 8,000 dues-paying members and supporters, I respectfully request you oppose adding anti-environmental policy riders to any appropriations bill.
As you know, the House-passed Continuing Resolution, H.R. 1, contains dozens of provisions that block federal agencies from taking action to protect our water, air and land. House members, acting on behalf of special interest groups, packed the bill with measures that would:
· block actions to regulate toxic air pollutants,
· stop the EPA from issuing guidance to protect headwater streams,
· thwart Chesapeake Bay cleanup measures,
· preclude the EPA from carrying out court-ordered steps to set standards for nutrients in Florida,
· allow oil companies to avoid air pollution standards in the Arctic,
· take away the EPA’s authority to enforce the Clean Air Act, and
· many, many similar provisions.
These special interest amendments threaten to undo federal public health and environmental protections that, in many cases, have been on the books for decades. They represent a back door approach to changing policy and have no place in appropriations legislation.
We respectfully urge you to oppose all extraneous measures in appropriations bills that would undermine public health and the environment.
I am available should you have any questions. Thank you for considering our views.
Robert D. Harris, Sierra Club Hawai‘i Chapter Director
