Recreational pot a public health risk
On Feb. 4, Senate Bill 2361, on marijuana decriminalization, was passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee (“Hawaii legislators propose decriminalizing larger amounts of marijuana,” Star- Advertiser, Feb. 5).
I emailed links to the senators on the committee and encouraged them to visit websites that describe the increase in emergency room visits in Colorado, and the spike in abuse since legalization of recreational marijuana.
As a mother who instilled in my children knowledge of the dangers of drug use, and as one who observed the abuse and damage of drug addiction — often starting from the simple introduction of marijuana — I will fight for my grandchildren and my community.
State Sen. Karl Rhoads said that “legalization for recreational use is probably a majority opinion at this time.”
Well, not in my opinion!
Vivian Aiona
Wahiawa
Windward site wrong for dog park
Many residents have expressed their frustration with the delays in getting a dog park established on the Windward side.
My frustration is in the opposite direction. Why do we need to fill one more wetland in order to accommodate dog owners? As a previous letter stated, there are eight dog parks already on Oahu (“Windward side waiting too long for dog park,” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 6).
The proposed park would be directly behind my house. Since moving in more than 30 years ago, my husband and I have removed bags and barrels of trash and old building materials from this area. We even planted a few trees. There are endangered waterbirds breeding in this habitat now.
A secluded parking lot will draw drug traffic. A new rest- room will lead to an increase in the homeless who already camp under the bridge.
They are ever-present, sometimes naked, wandering on Hamakua Drive, yelling at everyone. Young children on a climbing wall will have an excellent vantage point for this spectacle.
Finally, some of us who have fought for decades to preserve native bird species know off-leash dogs destroy nesting birds and young chicks.
Pick another site for a Windward dog park.
Rebecca Cann
Kailua
Pelosi right to rip up president’s speech
President Donald Trump has ripped up truth and decency. The Republicans have ripped up the Constitution. Trump has ripped up the meaning of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Thank you, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, for ripping up Trump’s message of lies and distortions.
It’s time for America to vote out Trump and the Republicans. Register and vote.
Herman Ka‘imiloa Marciel
Kailua
To teach respect, we must show respect
The future of our society is endangered when our youngsters grow up without a proper sense of respect for themselves, and for each person they encounter. For youth to respect their parents, their teachers or civil authorities, they need to see respect modeled consistently by those around them (i.e., each and every one of us).
If we criticize President Donald Trump’s antics, but don’t set a better example via our own behavior, we have lowered ourselves to his level. Inappropriate behavior has no excuse. If we claim that we act inappropriately only because somebody else did it to us first, we’re still guilty of being inappropriate. Two wrongs never make a right.
Are we allowing partisan politics to become the archenemy of respect? Recent events in Washington, D.C., indicate “yes.”
If we truly believe that individual respect is imperative, it’s time for each of us to walk the talk.
James C. Sharp
Mililani
Collisions will rise with red-light cams
Red-light cameras? At what cost? Who’s going to make money on this? The insurance companies and lawyers mostly, of course, followed by the medical, auto repair and vehicle sales industries and the company providing the red-light-camera service.
Studies have shown, and the private companies who sell and maintain the cameras know, that when the cameras go up, for the first two years there will be a high increase of rear-end collisions because of people stopping short to avoid running through a red light.
Currently if someone runs a red light and causes an accident he/she is responsible for their actions. When someone driving in front of you stops suddenly to avoid running a yellow caution light for fear of running a red light, and you can’t stop in time, you collide with them and are now responsible for damages, injuries or fatalities. Who pays? Well, you do — along with physical suffering, medical expenses and lawsuits — if you are involved in the accident.
Michael Fujioka
Hawaii Kai
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