Less senior hardship with mail-in option

Regarding the letter on seniors and mailing license renewals (“Let seniors continue mail-in license renewals,” Star-Advertiser, May 28), here are more reasons that mailing is not just more efficient, but safer for senior citizens.

My husband had a city appointment on May 21 at the Chinatown Gateway Plaza. We went early, as parking was a concern. Unsure of how long we would wait, despite the appointment, we did not park in the plaza lot. We found a large open pay-meter lot on Nuuanu Avenue. The walk was not far; however, homeless people on the sidewalk were worrisome. We had valuable documents that he was required to provide.

Despite having an appointment, we waited for nearly two hours and paid $12 for parking. This unnecessary wait could have been avoided — clerks would have less pressure, no concerns about the homeless while carrying valuable documents and paying for expensive parking fees — and a senior citizen would have been satisfied with the convenience of mail. Continue this option.

Nohea Chang

Pauoa Valley

Pretravel COVID test clearly unwarranted

The state’s policy of requiring fully vaccinated residents returning to Hawaii to provide a negative COVID result from a test taken within 72 hours before travel poses an unwarranted expense on these residents.

The requirement implies a risk tolerance much more stringent than the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s science- based, allowable risk tolerance. Hawaii is the only state with such a stipulation.

A rough analogy: Assume a scenario where placing one stoplight in a one-mile stretch is recommended by recognized authorities. The state’s stringent COVID test policy is akin to requiring five stoplights within that mile stretch. For a minute increment, if any, of added safety, the state requires drivers to spend more time and money (gasoline) than needed to drive that mile. The government, however, does not reimburse the drivers, though it should.

Similarly, the state should reimburse resident travelers for the cost of unwarranted COVID tests.

Dane Lee

Punchbowl

Veto bill that repeals tobacco trust fund

The state Legislature made a mistake in repealing the tobacco control trust fund, leaving us with no future funding for tobacco prevention.

While smoking rates have decreased with this program, youth tobacco use — especially e-cigarette use — has skyrocketed. Today, nearly 31% of Hawaii’s teens use e-cigarettes. Without adequate tobacco prevention and cessation funding, tobacco companies will continue targeting them and hooking future generations.

Organizations such as the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network opposed this harmful legislation because they know the devastation it will cause. Tobacco use already kills 1,400 Hawaii residents each year and costs taxpayers $848 per household in taxes to offset the tobacco-related health care costs to our state.

We cannot allow the tobacco industry to continue inflicting more death and destruction on our communities. Don’t let this legislation become law.

Governor Ige, please veto House Bill 1296 and protect our state from Big Tobacco.

Tyler Kamisato

Volunteer, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

Mililani

Many believe in both pro-choice, pro-life

The column by Ruth Marcus stimulated my thinking (“Supreme Court precedent and looming issue on Roe v. Wade,” Star-Advertiser, June 2).

The possible reversal by the Supreme Court of Roe v. Wade would also decrease the rights of women in America. Abortion has been a divisive issue for decades and it’s past time for our leaders to acknowledge the moral truths on both sides. A woman’s right to choose is a fundamental right and must be sustained. However, the sacred quality of life must not be disregarded.

With these moral principles in mind, the reality of being both pro-choice and pro-life seems clear; many people have held both views for years.

Because all life is sacred, all abortions should be carefully discerned and all human rights must be ardently protected.

John Heidel

Kailua

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