Control what you can for ocean safety
The article Sunday about the coral destruction caused by harmful sunscreens is something everyone who swims there can control. The rising ocean temperatures that did a lot of damage to the coral is something larger than what we individuals can control so we should focus on what is in our power.
It’s too bad that the governor was swayed by the money of big companies rather than by the fact that bad sunscreens are killing our coral. If he puts an immediate ban on harmful sunscreen, we may be able to save our coral. If we wait until a few years down the road, it will be too late and all the money won’t bring back what nature has created.
I urge everyone to write to the governor to get him to ban harmful sunscreens now before it is too late.
Colleen Miyose-Wallis
Reef teacher at Kahaluu beach
Hawaii asks for IDs, remember
While I disagree with the content of William Johnston’s letter of April 27, one well worn misrepresentation should draw the attention of all Hawaiians, regardless of party affiliation.
The reference “to restrict the vote wherever” etc. relates to states that have photo ID requirements that were legislated to ensure voters validate their citizenship at the poll.
Surely, Mr. Johnston doesn’t include Hawaii in his condemnation? After all, how would it be possible for a state such as Hawaii, which competes with California and Vermont as the most liberal state in the U.S., to restrict our vote?
When he goes to the polls, does he feel repressed when he submits his photo ID? Is he planning on proposing Hawaii change its voting law? To attack the states of Georgia and Florida and not include his state of Hawaii is the highest form of hypocrisy. The solution to Mr. Johnston’s embarrassing situation is to stop using this divisive Democratic line when addressing a letter for the benefit of Hawaii citizens.
Pete Webber
Kona
How much will you put up with?
I was appalled to see in the newspaper that the Senate voted to confirm Public Safety Director Nolan Espinda to a second term. How about you? How much incompetence are you willing to put up with?
Espinda for the last four years was at the helm when Maui Community Correctional Center experienced a riot bad enough to cause significant damage to two of the housing units in the facility and injuries to the staff. The fatal shootings of an Oahu jail inmate and of a homeless man at the State Capitol also fall under the purview of The Department of Public Safety. Oh, and don’t forget about all those “whoopsies” at the Hawaii County jail; a dozen mistaken releases.
Gov. Ige stands firmly in favor of Espinda despite his dismal record. Of course he does! Democrats are never held to account. Recall if you will all the raises the county has given themselves despite a still-failing bus system, or the many failures at the water department.
Just what does it take to be held accountable with a solid Democrat majority in state and county government? And how many more taxes, fees and regulations can they heap on us before people wise-up and start voting for the other party? That endangered species called the Republican Party.
Jeffrey Coakley
North Kohala