Letters to the Editor: 02-28-20

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Kudos to those eliminating single-use plastics

This is in regard to Bob Johnson’s encouraging letter that we can all reduce the consumption of plastic.

I work out on the water and have rescued too many turtles that develop “bubble butt,” which occurs when they ingest too much plastic and become constipated. Don’t worry, once spotted, our taxpayer dollars help these animals recover and are released into the ocean once again. These animals’ health is our responsibility, and the issue of plastic is out of control.

I want to praise the small businesses and restaurants that are starting to sell affordable reusable flatware to try to eliminate single-use plastics (Under the Bodhi Tree and Waimea Coffee Co.). Imagine, if we as individuals, reduced our single-use plastic consumption by half, how much healthier our animals and our ocean would be.

I truly believe making small steps like reusing flatware versus getting a new plastic fork every time you want to eat a salad, will have a large effect on our planet. Also, if there’s trash around you when you are at the beach — pick it up. It won’t hurt you, and it will only make you stronger, promise.

Kelsey Poole

Waikoloa

Get it right in DC

Candidates and incumbents are asking to go to Washington to get it right. So, let’s look at some tenures:

“Sleepy” Joe Biden was in public office for 44 years; Chuck “someone please listen to me” Schumer has 38 years; Nancy “the swamp queen” Pelosi 32 years; Maxine “the mouth” Waters has 28 years.

With all their decades and a century and half combined feeding at the public trough, shouldn’t they have it right by now? Yet, they blame President Donald Trump for everything who only has three years.

Barack H. Obama was not my president but he was president, duly elected under our laws and I respected that. So why must the press and elected officials show such disdain and outward hatred toward Trump, who also is duly elected. This is a democracy and your candidate lost so get over it and move on.

Pelosi disrespected and dishonored many good citizens by tearing up Trump’s speech. Insulting a Tuskegee general, a returning war zone sergeant first class, a young girl given her dream of a college education, more working women and all Americans with a 50-year low in unemployment. IRA and pension holders are more secure dramatic economic/stock increases.

Show respect for your fellow Americans and enjoy your democracy and freedoms from our Constitution.

Don Zero

Kailua Kona

‘What do you want me to do about it’

Does our local government really care about us here on Hawaii Island?

While watching Hawaii News Now the other evening, one of the main stories was about some subdivision in Honolulu that had reported fire ants. Wow, the mayor sent out a force with hazmat suits with pump sprayers in hand of and course the mayor’s office notified the press so they would be sure to be there with reporters to let people see they were doing something and to make sure to vote for them in the upcoming election.

Fast forward to the Big Island. I’ve got fire ants so I called the county office in Kona. As usual, the county does not answer the phones in Kona. The recording says leave a message and someone will call you back. Maybe, but most likely not. So, as in the past, I called the county office in Hilo, they as usual answer the phone there. But the response was not what it was in Honolulu. No word from the mayor, no men in hazmat suits with pump sprayers, no pretty reporter with a concerned look on her face reporting from the scene.

It was a Big Island response all the way, “what do you want me to do about it.”

Tombo Lono

Milolii