Who should be allowed to buy spray paint in Hawaii?

Recent letters to the editor have addressed the so-called coral graffiti, dutifully removed by some self-proclaimed do-gooders. Some people observe that the coral writing is now being replaced by spray paint on the lava. Thus, temporary “art” becomes permanent.

Without taking sides on that specific issue, here is my suggestion to lawmakers — enact legislation to stop allowing the purchase of spray cans by out-of-state visitors. Much to my surprise, when I buy paint at any local hardware store, the cash register is programmed to automatically halt the transaction until the cashier visually verifies that I am an adult, not a teenager. But, nobody ever checks my ID.

Happily, here in Hawaii, widespread graffiti by youths is not a problem. Apparently our young people understand that this is an island, not the throw-away world that we see elsewhere. Our young people realize that the aina is everyone’s property and everyone’s responsibility. So why do we in Hawaii use mainland mentality at our local hardware stores’ cash registers?

As for me, I would rather see the sale of a can of paint being made to a local teenager, rather than see one sold to a tourist. If there is opposition to this idea, I ask respondents to explain what possible good deed is ever accomplished by a visitor with a can of spray paint in hand.

James Donovan

Waikoloa