• Don’t add more toxicity • Opposite of democratic free speech • Socialized garbage pick-up • Reap the jobs of a redeveloped Coco Palms Don’t add more toxicity Biodegradable plastics are plastics that will decompose in natural aerobic (composting) and
• Don’t add more toxicity • Opposite of democratic free speech •
Socialized garbage pick-up • Reap the jobs of a redeveloped Coco
Palms
Don’t add more toxicity
Biodegradable plastics are plastics that will decompose in natural aerobic (composting) and anaerobic (landfill) environments. They may be composed of either bioplastics, which are plastics whose components are derived from renewable raw materials, or petroleum-based plastics which utilize an additive.
I think we need to keep in mind the goal of this ban: help the health of this island not to become more toxic. Petroleum based plastics, even when “biodegradable,” leaves higher levels of toxicity than necessary.
Consequently, not all bioplastics degrade effectively unless in tightly controlled conditions of industrial composting units.
However, starch-based bioplastics will.
There are plenty kinds of plastic bags and products that are starch-based which not only degrade efficiently but so clean they can actually be used in compost as well.
I admire this business person introducing “new science” but his is the wrong science (“Businessman offers plastic bag alternative,” The Garden Island, March 21).
We need bioplastics that are starch-based. You can Google this to learn more but anything with petroleum should avoided when possible. And yes, in this case it is very possible to avoid.
I urge the council members to research before deciding on this. I respect Bynum and Yukimura for not supporting the amendment as I feel it is the wrong amendment as well.
It has to state restaurant businesses are exempted only if they use clean, less toxic biodegradable starch-based bioplastics (from renewable raw materials); not using any form of petroleum/fossil fuels.
This is a small island that’s already flooded with pesticides, fecal matters, etc. Let’s not add more toxicity.
Desiree Hoover, Princeville
Opposite of democratic free speech
A huge mahalo to Christopher O’Brien of Lihu‘e for his March 21 letter decrying the manner in which columnists Michelle Malkin and Diana West express themselves.
I have wanted to do the same thing for months but haven’t been able to find words that are anywhere near measured. And that is precisely the problem with West, Malkin and their media kin: they make you want to fire back in-kind complete with gross distortions and out-and-out lies.
This is not civil discourse. It leads to greater polarization in all of society and is the opposite of democratic free speech, no matter how the First Amendment is interpreted.
I’ll stop now before I lose my cool.
I would also like to say mahalo to TGI for publishing Mr. O’Brien’s letter. Not every news source will permit their content to be roasted on their own pages. Now take the next step and find more balanced Media Voices.
Ann Bjork, Kalaheo
Socialized garbage pick-up
Every one should realize by now that depending on property taxes for the bulk of the county budget is not only unwise but also unfair.
Now we get another bill in the form of a lien on property for mandatory garbage pick-up.
Six dollars a month for refuse stations and another six for home pick-up. Non-property owners will continue to use refuse stations for free.
Like Obamacare, we have no choice or say in the matter, except through our elected representatives who have a wonderful track record of implementing the will of the people. Call it socialized garbage.
My issue is not the price but the mandate. As with most mandates it will have unintended consequences.
For example, as a household which carefully recycles and uses only about 1 can a week, we will now be paying $1.50 per can per week or $3 including the transfer station fee.
The result will be that to offset this cost I will stop spending my gas money to go to a recycling spot and everything we have been recycling will go into the landfill.
The solution, of course, is to stop relying so much on overburdened taxpayers and fund government with more user fees.
That way we find out real quick which services the public really wants, i.e. those they are willing to pay for directly. Freedom is about having a choice.
There is no choice with mandated socialized government garbage service. May I opt out please?
Michael Wells, Anahola
Reap the jobs of a redeveloped Coco Palms
Sorry everybody, but a park at Coco Palms will create three to five jobs if we’re lucky, but a redeveloped resort will create up to 1,000.
Sure, a park many can enjoy, but all of us just have to drive five minutes to get to a beautiful beach and we hardly ever do that.
A resort will make Kaua‘i accessible to many people from around the world.
Scott Sagum, Kapa‘a
