Plastic-bag ban will accomplish little

This ban-the-plastic-bag movement is nothing but a feel-good, “see, we’re doing a virtuous task” measure (“City Council sends back bill on checkout-bag fee,” Star-Advertiser, June 8).

It doesn’t add up to anything substantial when you consider the sheer volume of disposable plastic waste. Just look around where you are right now and notice all the plastic.

If we really want to do something, how about developing biodegradable/compostable packaging? Or insisting that the plastics we normally use are recyclable? Currently only plastics marked with a 1 or 2 are.

Can’t we think outside the box? Why are we always trying to ban things instead of investigating and solving the root causes of our problems?

Joseph T. Bussen

Kailua

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Follow Europe’s renewable example

A recent study warned that discarded plastic garbage could outweigh fish by 2050 if nothing is done (“U.N. conference seeks unity on ocean conservation,” Star-Advertiser, June 6).

Some ideas for a call to action:

>> Ban most plastic bags worldwide, except for biodegradable ones. Europeans have been bringing their own bags to stores for years.

>> Fast-food establishments must use reusable plates, cups and silverware for dine-in customers. Take-out containers must be biodegradable.

>> Look to Germany to see how it is done — 100 percent recycling of glass bottles, including reusables up to 15 times. Compare that to the U.S., with a recycling rate of about 30 percent, mostly non-refillable plastic and aluminum.

>> Only 10 U.S. states even bothered to pass a state bottle bill law and the container deposit return rate has been stuck at 5 cents since the 1970s. Raise it. Give the homeless a raise.

Tom Sebas

Waikiki

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Join superintendent in improving schools

As a longtime systems advocate for special education students and their families, I was both humbled and privileged by the opportunity to serve on the advisory group to the search committee in the quest for a new public schools superintendent. The search process was serious, fair-minded, challenging, and above all, committed to the inclusion of the perspectives of diverse stakeholder groups — students, educators, families, university partners, and other community stakeholders.

In welcoming Dr. Christina Kishimoto as our visionary leader of Hawaii’s public education system, I invite the broader community to acknowledge her unique gifts, offer her a true sense of belonging, and join her in delivering on the promise of excellence and equity for all of Hawaii’s students.

Susan Rocco

Aiea

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Suspect in crash should be in jail

Keempe Drequitos is suspected of causing a horrific accident that took the life of Travis Serquina (“Driver arrested in fatal crash released from custody on bail,” Star-Advertiser, June 6). His bail was reduced and he was released from jail.

This was a bad decision made by the court and the defense and prosecuting attorneys. The court should have weighed the severity of the charges; two of the four are manslaughter and negligent homicide. These charges are defined as violent crimes.

Drequitos has had multiple traffic violations. Add these violations to the charges and it equals to placing Drequitos back in jail.

Alexis M. Liftee

Nuuanu

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Republicans enable Trump’s behavior

It was reported that President Donald Trump had not only asked the directors of two intelligence agencies to publicly deny evidence of collusion between his campaign and Russia but also divulged highly classified information to Russian operatives. As a result of these revelations about the president’s inappropriate conducts, seen by many as abuse of power, cries for his impeachment have grown louder.

While Trump is harming the country and undermining national security with his incompetence and reckless behavior, Republicans continue to turn a blind eye to his outrageous and impulsive behavior because they need him to rubber-stamp their cruel legislative agenda that favors the rich and hurts the poor. Their willingness to cover up Trump’s despicable behavior poses a threat to democratic principles.

Impeachment seems unlikely since Republicans control Congress. But democracy-loving Americans can push back, using the power of resistance to stop Trump and his congressional allies from taking the country to a dangerous and destructive path.

Rod B. Catiggay

Mililani

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Halawa Stream needs maintenance

Storm season: a haunting reminder of the ridiculously delinquent maintenance of Halawa Stream and the danger this obvious neglect poses to properties along the stream and the domino effect it will have on surrounding properties and utilities.

More than 20 years of lack of maintenance. More than 20 years of collected property taxes. The explanation of needing Army Corps of Engineers permits, and the state needing permits to clear debris and overgrowth upstream. This takes 20 years? Should disaster occur, property owners are entitled compensation for damages due to documented neglect.

State Rep. Romy Cachola’s recent newsletter enlightened and horrified me — flooding and property damage on the opposite side of the subdivision caused by the neglected maintenance of a drainage ditch.

Flood insurance may replace dwellings, but it’s worthless if there’s no property to build on. We deserve immediate preventative and protective action. An after-the-fact apology has no value.

Lynn Wong

Aiea