Keep exemption for recyclers

Hawaii is about to unveil its newest tourist attraction in the next couple months — its trash.

Automobile hulks and abandoned washing machines and refrigerators along the road will give residents and tourists something to gawk at.

I really hope that this doesn’t happen.

Think this can’t happen? It has before and it may again, if the city’s recycling program isn’t kept alive.

The program has provided incentives to recyclers so we don’t have to stare at discarded junk anymore.

In order to lower the discount, the Honolulu City Council needed to draft a new bill to keep the program.

The Council adopted a more sensible, gradual approach to the issue, and I hope the mayor follows suit and signs the bill that would at least partially revive the incentive program.

Nik Nikolaidis
President,T&N Services

City’s rail poll hardly scientific

It was no surprise to see the city manipulate poll results ("City’s poll finds majority favors rail," Star- Advertiser, June 2).

I really had to chuckle at the 57 percent positive response, because my husband was called as part of this poll. He didn’t know what organization was conducting the poll when they called, but he said it became quickly obvious because of how the questions were worded.

He said they were phrased in a biased manner, obviously hoping to guide the person being polled to give the desired response.

Talk about unscientific polls, and a waste of taxpayer dollars!

Come on, Mayor Carlisle. If you want any kind of decent rail for this community, then listen to people and make changes now, before it is too late.

Judith Rasmussen
Honolulu

It takes money to make money

The governor is barking up the wrong tree.

It takes money to make money.

Well, the governor was in Washington too long. I voted for this guy and I guess he lost all common sense being away. If I need to explain why we should keep the Pro Bowl here in Hawaii, then we are worse off than I thought. It’s a no-brainer.

Rex Kamakana
Kailua

Pro Bowl has long-range effect

According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the $4 million investment in the Pro Bowl provides an immediate return of $3 million in tax revenues that can be used for our children, but, more important, the marketing impressions made by the Pro Bowl will continue to generate revenues for the state long after the game is played.

The Pro Bowl generates more than 17,000 visitors and $28 million in visitor spending. The cities competing for the Pro Bowl see it as a boon to their tourism. We should, too.

Investment in the Pro Bowl is a great opportunity for tourism and definitely not "stupid."

Does the governor really believe that civil unions in Hawaii will provide the same numbers and positive marketing image for Hawaii?

The governor is wrong to oppose Hawaii’s investment in the Pro Bowl.

Ron Watanabe
Honolulu

Let businesses pay for Pro Bowl

While the Pro Bowl may be worth what it costs, it is not worth it to the majority of taxpayers subsidizing it.

This cost should be borne by the businesses that profit from it.

I hope the governor sticks to his statement.

Perhaps the business community and the NFL should be the parties negotiating a contract.

Rob De Cleene
Aiea