Ethanol a loser for motorists

Hawaii motorists are caught in a Catch-22 over ethanol.

The state has dropped its requirement that gasoline sold here must be blended with ethanol. But the federal government still requires refineries to continue blending or purchase credits on the national market. So the largest refinery here will continue its ethanol blending (“Ethanol still in gas, even with new law,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 2).

The whole ethanol project is nonsense. State Rep. Angus McKelvey, chairman of the state House Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee, correctly notes that the production of ethanol consumes energy and water and produces pollution that offsets any environmental benefits. Moreover, vehicles running on an ethanol blend have poorer fuel efficiency.

In other words, there is no net environmental benefit, which was supposedly the point of requiring ethanol blending.

As for making the country less dependent on foreign oil imports, the increase in domestic production makes that much less compelling.

What is worse, using corn and sugar cane to make ethanol means diverting those crops from producing food in a world where millions are starving.

Carl H. Zimmerman

Salt Lake

A pineapple for New Year’s Eve?

New York drops a ball on New Year’s Eve.

Idaho drops a potato on New Year’s Eve.

How about the Hawaii Tourism Authority dropping a pineapple on New Year’s Eve?

Steve Holck

Kailua

Gabbard’s right on ISIS strategy

God bless U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who challenged her own party on the suicidal policy of President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to try to take out Bashar Assad and risk nuclear war with Russia.

Gabbard demonstrated wisdom and courage to step to the plate and take a stand (“Gabbard urges Obama to focus on IS,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 21).

Presidential candidates such as Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, Chris Christie and Clinton still want to lead us to World War III by attacking Assad.

The way Gabbard championed her views on handling ISIS makes me want to give her a big hug of thanks for my children and grandchildren.

Joseph DuPont

South Towanda, Pa.

Warriors need a better schedule

If I could draw a cartoon, it would be a picture of a magic lamp with the new University of Hawaii football coach coming from the spout.

In his hand he has a proclamation that says, “Fix the schedule.”

Magic lamps and wishes are not enough to fix the root cause of the defeated Warrior spirit.

Supporters and fans are disgusted with the players being used as training fodder for other teams that are, in reality, semi-pro teams. Stop stacking the deck against the Warriors, and respect and pride will fill the seats.

Dunning Sewell

Pearlridge

Check facts on Agent Orange

There was a statement in a recent letter about Monsanto that deserves comment: “Monsanto manufactured Agent Orange, the herbicide that maimed and/or killed thousands of U.S. Vietnam veterans and Vietnamese civilians” (“Cataluna misled by corporate giant?” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Jan. 4).

Looking at peer-reviewed data in good studies, it is clear that much of what is believed about Agent Orange is not based on fact. For example, an extensive follow-up study of military personnel involved with “Operation Ranch Hand” revealed no increased incidence of medical problems versus other veterans.

Likewise, data on accidental human exposure to dioxin, a contaminant found at times in Agent Orange, did not show any significant problems except an increased likelihood of chloracne, a non-malignant skin condition. Also, despite communist propaganda to the contrary, Vietnamese civilians were not exposed to high concentrations of the herbicide, as only 6 percent or less actually reached the forest floor during its use as a defoliant.

Peter Caldwell

Alewa Heights

Fireworks show safety in doubt

In light of all the illegal fireworks, I am very concerned about the way the authorities have assured us of our safety.

With the president on Oahu and the added security, law enforcement officials still were unable to stop a record number of illegal fireworks, especially the aerials.

If they cannot stop fireworks, what assurance do we have that they will be able to stop explosives and other terrorist staples from coming into Hawaii, or even the mainland?

And now we learn that our president wants to make it even harder for us to defend ourselves, even though the government does not seem to be able to keep us safe (“Gun-control advocates look to states,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 4). It certainly does not make me feel secure.

Robert Walden

Kaneohe

Find source of illegal fireworks

A mariner in distress who uses aerial flares is easy to find. So, too, are the people who use illegal aerial-display fireworks.

Where do the fireworks come from? It seems explosives are able to be transported through our ports and into our neighborhoods undetected and with impunity. There is a problem with container and intermodal security regarding the transportation of explosives in a post-9/11 world.

There also is a pervasive black market in aerial fireworks that is operating outside of the law. Perhaps if law enforcement would start with the fireworks and investigate back to the source, this recurring problem could be stemmed.

This failed public policy, due to the absence of vigorous enforcement, makes a mockery of our government and harms those law-abiding citizens whose pulmonary problems are exacerbated, whose animals are put in distress, and who are simply disturbed by what is surely a small minority of the citizenry.

Dana Ware

Kapolei

Exempt Hawaii from Jones Act

Michael Hanson’s letter, “Foreign-flag ships can ship to Hawaii” (Star-Advertiser, Dec. 28) is misleading.

While it is true that foreign-built or -owned ships can come to Hawaii, they can bring goods here from only a foreign port. Stopping only in Hawaii is cost-prohibitive for many foreign carriers because we are so small. They are not allowed to bring cargo to Hawaii from a U.S. port, nor can they take goods from here to another U.S. port.

Hanson’s Hawaii Shippers’ Council has proposed an amendment to the Jones Act that would allow foreign-built ships to serve Hawaii and U.S. ports, but the ships would still have to be U.S.-owned. Cheap ship construction would be a big benefit to Matson, but would do nothing to promote competition, nor reduce the rates charged by Matson.

It’s high time for the politicians to stand up to Matson and exempt Hawaii from the unnecessary Jones Act. It’s easy.

Robert Rau

Kaimuki