Polystyrene ban bad for business

I co-own and operate two take-out plate lunch counters here on Oahu. We have been in business nearly 25 years, supporting our families and about a dozen employees.

Using the right to-go containers is important to us. To me, nothing works better to keep hot food hot and cold food cold than polystyrene foam containers. And nothing else keeps its shape when food gets piled on. Hawaii has a lot of heavy dishes with rice, plus big portions of hot, moist food on top, and I for one like to fill up my customers.

Already most mom-and-pops are struggling to stay in business as rent and the cost of ingredients go up. A ban on polystyrene containers could add up to thousands of dollars per year and could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

How would you feel if your favorite take-out restaurant permanently closed shop?

Eric Wong

Kalihi

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Wrong to try Deedy again

Christopher Deedy has been tried twice, for both murder and manslaughter.

He was not found guilty in either trial. Now in an effort by the city prosecutor to find him guilty, he is subject to the possibility of a third trial (“Federal judge rejects Deedy’s request to block a third trial,” Star-Advertiser, April 26).

This wasting not only of our taxpayer dollars but the taking of all Deedy’s financial security, as his right against double jeopardy is violated, is unconscionable.

Where is common sense and fairness?

Ginger Kolonick

Hawaii Kai

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Racetrack would promote safety

As a strong supporter of a motor sports venue, I would like to comment on “Racetrack would raise more problems” (Star-Advertiser, Letters, April 30).

I was fortunate enough to participate in race events as a contestant as well as taking part in a racetrack youth mentoring program known as the Junior Dragster League of Hawaii, before the closure of Hawaii Raceway Park back in 2006.

The racetrack I knew promoted respect for law enforcement and the rules that governed the safe operation of our personal vehicles on public streets.

Race car drivers truly believe you do your racing on the racetrack and not on the public streets.

As a Junior Dragster program director, I took that same message to our race community youth. The program was so successful in promoting responsible behavior that a very prominent insurance company contributed thousands of dollars toward the program as a major sponsor.

The lack of a racetrack on Oahu impairs business opportunities, motor sports events for participants and spectators, and yes, an opportunity to mentor our youth.

Herb Barboza

Waipio Gentry

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Shock of the Kauai flood

The front-page pictures were dramatic, but now we’re learning the real impact of the flood — lost jobs, lives disrupted, businesses closed and a potential homeless surge. Even without deaths and in a rural area on a neighbor island, this is a state disaster.

Now imagine 3-5 feet of water in the Ala Wai watershed (Makiki, Manoa, McCully-Moiliili, Palolo and Waikiki).

The area has a population of 143,000, which generates 8 percent of the gross state product, 11 percent of the state’s civilian jobs, 12 percent of the state and county tax revenue; where 1,600 businesses thrive; a place where 3,000 buildings and 21 public schools would be flooded, causing an estimated $1.14 billion in damages.

Couldn’t happen?

Google the Star-Bulletin article “Ala Wai flood control studied” (June 27, 2004), or go to this website for a more current risk assessment: www.poh.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Civil-Works-Projects/Ala-Wai-Canal/.

Is Kauai a wake-up call?

Raymond Trombley

McCully-Moiliili

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Put highway crosswalk back

Sometime last week somebody took all our crosswalk flags from Hinalea Street and Kalanianaole Highway. They just disappeared. Not only the flags were taken but they took the whole crosswalk along with it.

It is very disturbing that someone (most likely the state Highways Division) would do such a not-so-smart move.

The people who catch the bus used that crosswalk and now it’s gone. Lots of them used it to go to the beach.

So now we will have much jaywalking on this busy highway and it won’t be long before some old-timer or school kid gets run over.

So I say to whoever is the boss of this highway to pass the word down the chain of command and put our crosswalk back — along with our flags that were paid for by donations from the Waimanalo community — before someone dies on this highway.

Abe Aiona

Waimanalo