In “Businesses take a hit from hepatitis” (Star-Advertiser, Aug. 17), it was reported that Koha Oriental Foods said it will need some PR (public relations); True World Foods wants to “re-strategize”; and the restaurants say, “all you can do is address it as it comes up and solve the problem.”

But that’s all after the fact. They could cut the hepatitis A virus off at the pass by performing random testing of incoming products before distributing them. This would be better than contracting with PR firms to whitewash the company.

And even if the tests of all the products turned out to be negative, at least we could eliminate them from the total number of foods to be considered, if and when an epidemic begins.

Right now, the public is only serving as a guinea pig.

David Yasuo Henna

McCully

We all should have right to ‘death with dignity’

In her column, “Even if you’re dying, until you die, you’re still living” (Star-Advertiser, Aug. 13), Froma Harrop reviewed parts of Paul Kalanithi’s book, “When Breath Becomes Air.”

This bestseller is a sad but poignant story about a young neurosurgeon who discovered that he had late-stage lung cancer.

Eventually, everyone faces their mortality, and there are a variety of choices that each of us can make.

Here in Hawaii, death with dignity has not been legislated into law.

Previously, I have read letters to the editor objecting to this very personal decision because of religious or disability concerns.

However, when it is your turn to face your mortality, and when terminal cancer is evident, it seems that this personal right should be available to each of us who choose to use it.

Jim Wolfe

Nuuanu

Good looks certainly can help you get elected

Your story, “Gabbard’s looks cost campaign thousands” (Star-Advertiser, Aug. 8), implied possible wrongdoing and elicited responses both pro and con.

Four years ago, unknown Tulsi Gabbard upset Mufi Hannemann, who had a vast and impressive background in academics, athletics and national and local public service. More important, Hannemann had a well-established cadre of loyalists.

Do we recall any campaign issue expounded by Gabbard to explain her improbable upset? Why are we reluctant to admit that we were captivated by her striking, photogenic looks, and that influenced our votes?

That a person’s attractiveness creates a favorable bias in social, business and, yes, political situations, is a reality.

Not to detract from Gabbard’s political courage and eloquence as a congresswoman, but her looks are an important part of her public service and clearly a legitimate campaign expense.

George Nakamura

Mililani

Ige was right to veto deal for hospital unions

Three cheers for Claudia Torres, who hit the nail on the head about the transfer of the ownership of the Maui public hospitals to a private company (“State workers treated special,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Aug. 12).

The governor made the proper decision to veto the bill. The Legislature erred by overriding it.

When an entity is sold or transferred, the unions have no business interfering with the operation of the acquiring business. This would further increase the liability of taxpayers, whom the unions do not care about. They are interested only in increased membership.

Bob Dukat

Pahoa, Hawaii island