Plastic bag ban bad for business

I am extremely disappointed by the Honolulu City Council’s decision to move forward with a plastic bag ban on Oahu.

Oahu’s landfills are made up of tons of non-biodegradable refuse, and plastic bags make up only a minute portion of its composition.

What this ban does do, however, is place an additional burden on Hawaii businesses at a time when they cannot afford it. Paper bags are expensive. In addition, many individuals in the interest of sustainability and conservation either walk or bike to their destinations.

Many shopping decisions are spontaneous, and paper bags would make it very difficult for these individual to carry their purchases. After all, who carries their recyclable shopping bag everywhere? I suspect that many will simply choose not to make the purchase.

This would be crucial to businesses selling to the visitor industry. Many of our tourists walk or use public transportation. It’s simply another instance of why Hawaii is one of the most business unfriendly states in the nation.

Brian Kimata
Brian’s Fishing Supply

Avoid a steady diet of Spam

Everybody loves a festival.

However, a steady diet of Spam raises concerns for me. Spam once had a time and place, after World War II, but in today’s society, when the population is battling obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease, we do not need Spam and its salt, sugar and high fat content.There are great efforts made by schools and other organizations to promote a healthy diet and lifestyle.

We are blessed in Hawaii to have fresh fish, fruit and vegetables year around.

In my opinion, Hormel Foods, the maker of Spam, fits in the same category as major tobacco companies for promoting an unhealthy diet.

Paula Colford
Honolulu

Instruction time not the problem

With the state Department of Education about to augment instructional time in Hawaii’s public schools, I find it essential to evaluate whether adding time will actually boost student performance.

Extending time won’t ensure more learning and higher test scores. The root ofthe crisis lies with the students. Countless times, I’ve noticed students talking during class and disregarding the lesson. Texting friends and updating Facebook statuses are also trendy alternatives among teenagers. Sure, some students are truly attentive during instruction, but the vast majority are not.

Before the DOE decides to pour enormous sums of money into lengthening the school day, it should understand that it won’t resolve the apathy problem. We must somehow provoke students into wanting to learn, if we expect to improve education.

The millions of dollars spent to lengthen class time should be used more wisely, such as for getting students to school and investing in interesting curriculum.

Timothy Byers
Aiea High School, Grade 11

Health care plan is going to cost us

The major bone of contention in the Affordable Care Act is the "individual mandate" provision requiring all adult citizens to buy health insurance or suffer a penalty.

The theory is that if everyone pays into the system, it will be more economically viable, and ease the burden on those already paying heavily for health coverage.

I personally support the idea of every adult in this country paying something for the health care they receive — including all government employees, retired military and even the poor.

However, I believe it’s reasonable to assume that the vast majority of the 30 million or so Americans not now covered, mostly young adults, aren’t covered because they just can’t afford it. The proponents say that’s OK, because the "government" — read taxpayers — will pick up tab.

Isn’t that just like grabbing money out of our right pocket and shoving it back into our left pocket — less, of course, deductions for handling fees? We all know how that works.

Art Todd
Kaneohe