Union was wrong to block traffic

Union leaders who believe in snarling traffic as part of their demonstrations are very misguided and should be immediately fired from their positions.

I also believe the union itself should face severe financial penalties for this anti- social and selfish behavior.

I have no idea what rights the hotel workers are fighting for, but after the disruption to their fellow islanders Thursday, I have no sympathy for them whatsoever.

Military noise is sound of freedom

With respect to Walter Wright’s comments on jet noise at Marine Corps Base Hawaii ("RIMPAC noise is aggravating," Star-Advertiser, July 22), we once again hear the statement, "You can do it, but not in our neighborhood."

I have lived in Kailua for the past 45 years, and not only do we hear jet noise, but also fireworks, cars burning rubber and dogs barking.

May I remind Mr. Wright that the Marine Air Station was here long before many of the homes built in the area. Also, RIMPAC is held once every two years, so the jet noise is not an everyday occurrence.

Mr. Wright should also know that in the near future, Marine Corps Base Hawaii will get even noisier as new aircraft will replace the older ones. And what happens when the Navy’s Blue Angels fly in September?

Be prepared for more changes, and if the noise bothers you, please relocate to another area. I will call the Marine Corps Public Affairs Office and thank them for the noise of freedom.

Isle GOP plays tricks with system

What a pathetic desperate attempt from the Republican Party to try to field candidates. They get people who have no intention to run to file candidacy papers, then withdraw to give the Republican Party more time to find a candidate.

I hope that the people of Hawaii see through this ruse and reject the Republican candidates.

Reconsider plan for elevated rail

I lived on Oahu for almost 40 years, driving in to Honolulu for school or work, so I think I know a little bit about commuter traffic.

Now I live in Portland, Ore., which has an amazing, affordable, clean, quiet, punctual, safe and efficient light-rail system connecting to a web of buses and trolleys. You can get anywhere easily. They add new lines without much disruption — two new ones in the two years that I’ve been here. It is considered one of the best in the country.

Honolulu needs to reconsider building an expensive, noisy, elevated system with a limited service area. I love Hawaii but the mind boggles at how behind the times it is. The mainland is light years ahead — in terms of transportation, efficient curbside recycling, parking kiosks with printed tickets instead of coin meters, a lottery which supports environmental infrastructure, education — the list goes on.

Casinos would help isle tourism

I agree with Daryl S. Burt’s letter on casinos for Hawaii ("If we’re liberal, what of gaming?" Star-Advertiser, July 23). Allowing casinos in Hawaii would be a gift to today’s failing economy and a blessing in disguise.

As a frequent annual Hawaii visitor, I am positive thousands of visiting tourists would support this fully. I visit several neighboring states here, and wherever casinos are open and operating, taxes have been lower and schools and social services have benefited greatly.

Paper bags help save the beaches

People should use cloth instead of plastic bags.

Plastic bags are smaller and they rip if you have heavy things in them. They get stuck in trees and don’t disintegrate quickly. Plastic isn’t reusable.

Cloth bags hold a lot more. They’re bigger and cheaper.

Markets should charge people for plastic bags, then people would be forced to use reusable cloth bags.

I will never forget the time I went to the beach with my class and we saw a dead turtle. Then my heart sank when I saw a piece of a plastic bag sticking out of its mouth. Turtles think plastic bags are jellyfish and they eat them. Plastic bags also get stuck in the turtle’s stomach and it stops eating and starves to death.

We should all use cloth instead of plastic to shop better and save the beaches.

Health reform not sufficient

The health reform bill recently passed will only solve about 10-20 percent of the problems with U.S. health care and won’t control costs nearly enough. The use of private insurance is a large part of the problem and will be further entrenched if Liz Fowler, a known advocate for the health insurance industry, is appointed to a high administrative post. This would set health care reform on an unsustainable path and delay real reform.

We sure spend a lot on animals

Animals are expensive.

» Our Legislature spent a vast amount of time to ban shark fins and then debated the issue of shark feeding.

» The city recently spent thousands of dollars to capture and kill 18 peacocks in Hawaii Kai.

» To satisfy residents near the Hawaii Kai Park & Ride, the city arranged with a pest control company to collect 46 roosters, 45 hens, 91 chicks and 82 eggs.

As citizens, we should be thankful that our government leaders are willing to spend so much to protect Hawaii’s animals.