Think about what you’re doing
Our mayor, Harry Kim continues to amaze with his incompetence. His big coronavirus prevention move was to bring back single-use plastic bags. Really, Harry? How will that protect Big Islanders? He also is the only county mayor to not sign off on a temporary ban on flights to Hawaii. Let the good times roll.
I voted for you, Mayor Kim, I know you are in your 80s. Please don’t make more bad decisions that may prevent me from reaching my 80s. Think about what you’re doing.
Tombo Lono
Milolii
Lifting the bag ban
Mayor Harry Kim’s recent Emergency Proclamation suspended the current county ban on single-use plastic bags (WHT, April 2). Concerned over spreading contamination, other government agencies throughout the nation are implementing bans on people bringing in their own shopping bags.
Hand-wringing over “the climate change crisis” progressive Kona Councilwoman Rebecca Villegas is understandably having a cow, stating “I believe it’s in the best interest of our county to continue to use properly washed reusable bags.”
Like most “feel-good” legislation, the plastic bag ban was rammed through without adequate consideration of its unintended consequences. By punishing all citizens for the irresponsible behavior of a few, it deprived the majority of a useful sanitary product and encouraged the same irresponsible element to drag some of the most filthy, disgusting bags into retail establishments – particularly those selling food products.
And how on Earth would Councilwoman Villegas determine, much less enforce use of a “properly washed” bag? Is it one that’s free of the offensive visual and olfactory contamination of roaches, ants, urine, excrement, pet hair, or the occasional soiled under garments that baggers gag over daily? Here’s a suggestion: Volunteer to bag purchased goods at a market during the first week of the month at peak sales. It may help you define a “properly washed” bag. Then you can deal with enforcement. Good luck.
Richard Hoeflinger
Keaau