ENVIRONMENT

FOOLISH TO TRY BANNING PLASTIC SHOPPING BAGS

I have been an environmentalist for more than 40 years. I think that the proposed ban of plastic shopping bags is a foolish idea, fraught with unintended consequences.

I remember what it was like before plastic shopping bags, when wet items like milk, ice cream and meat that was leaking juices through butcher's paper fell through the bottom of paper bags.

I ride TheBus to work most days. Have you ever tried to carry two or three paper bags full of groceries on TheBus? How about in the rain?

Yes, I have a large mesh bag for shopping. It's not sufficient for everything. Fruit, produce, bread and other fragile items get ruined.

Yes, I get frustrated when I see plastic bags littering the landscape and sea. That's why I carry spare plastic shopping bags in my pocket or backpack so I can pick them up.

Try a little direct-action environmentalism. Raising environmental consciousness through education and example works. People litter much less than they did years ago.

Finally, lawmakers, especially those inclined to misguided attempts at social engineering, should remember the familiar phrase, "First, do no harm."

Please don't micromanage our private lives.

CITY SERVICES

BUS ROUTES CUT WHILE OUR ATTENTION DIVERTED

Recently, the city reduced bus service to Hawai'i Kai and Kalama Valley.

Buses to Kalama now run only once an hour, making it impossible for us to commute by bus. The reduction is particularly difficult for students and seniors.

With global warming jeopardizing our future and oil reaching $100 a barrel, there could hardly be a worse time to reduce public transit. High gas prices and fuel surcharges mean less disposable income with which to contribute to our economy. Using public transit was one of the few economically and environmentally sound choices we had left. Now that choice is gone.

While our attention was diverted toward football, the city quietly decimated our public services. I am a proud three-time UH alumna and Warrior fan, but sports should be kept in perspective. We shouldn't let ourselves be so blindsided by elusive dreams of glory that when our government reduces our quality of life, we fail to notice.

The city must reinstate full bus service to Hawai'i Kai; the media must prioritize news that actually affects our daily lives; and we as citizens must be vigilant regarding issues that really matter.

ALOHA SPIRIT

MAHALO TO STRANGER WHO HELPED MOTORIST

I would like to say mahalo from my heart to a man on a motorcycle at Kapi'olani Medical Center.

He helped me out of a bind on Jan. 4 when I got stuck in the parking lot without any money.

He gave me $2 to get out of the garage — I can't begin to express his kindness.

Aloha is alive in Hawai'i. I will make sure I pay it forward and help out the next person.

JUNE JONES

FANS STILL NEED TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR WARRIORS

Much will be said about the impact of the departure of June Jones. There will be much criticism and blame. There will be concern about the football program. There will be those who will need to be accountable for letting this happen.

June brought us national recognition, created a Heisman Trophy finalist, gave us a perfect regular season and took us to the Sugar Bowl.

But we can't lose sight of one thing: His legacy lives on in Tyler, Ryan, Blaze, Kealoha, Solomon, Dan and every other Warrior. And now is the time to rally around them.

Hawai'i needs to turn its attention on getting the Warriors through this by giving them every last ounce of our support. We need to fill the streets of Waikiki for the Parade of Champions, we need to pack Murphy's for the Pigskin Pigout, and most of all, come September we need to sell out Aloha Stadium.

June may be gone, but in the end it has always been about the team, and each one of us needs to show the Warriors we still believe.

NEW UH COACH HAS TO KEEP SPREAD OFFENSE

The new University of Hawai'i coach has to keep the spread offense, but we need to incorporate aspects of Rich Rodriguez's system.

The quarterback must be able to pass and run. Stationary targets will get you only so far. You need that extra dimension.

Be it Norm Chow, Dick Tomey, Duane Akina or Cal Lee, the UH spread offense needs to evolve with the speed of the game.

There is a solid list to choose from. Let's hope UH gets it right!

TRANSIT

CITY SHOULD INVESTIGATE O-BAHN BUS SYSTEM

With the high cost of any new light-rail system, I suggest that our transportation professionals investigate the German O-bahn guided busway system, which is now in use in several densely populated cities around the world.

It is a very functional hybrid between the super-expensive light-rail systems and an ordinary bus system.

Special buses travel around the streets of outer suburbs, collecting passengers as ordinary buses do. The buses then filter onto a guided track and travel into the city at high speed.

Once the buses exit the guided part of the busway they are able to travel on normal roads again, with passengers alighting at various points around the city center.

The advantage of this system over light rail is its flexibility and lower cost to establish and maintain. User carparks at the terminus are smaller because many people catch the bus right at the end of their street.

The O-bahn system offers convenience and real cost savings to any city adopting it. I hope it warrants further investigation by this city.

HMSA

MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS PROVIDE OUR HEALTHCARE

Regarding last Sunday's Hot Seat interview with Steve Van Ribbink:

Again! Another insurance company executive claiming that his company is "providing healthcare."

Insurance companies do not provide healthcare. Doctors, nurses, therapists, technicians, etc., provide healthcare.

Insurance companies take our money, pay themselves well, and then dole out just enough to keep the patients, doctors and hospitals from screaming bloody murder.

Dear Mr. Van Ribbink, I do not begrudge you your huge bonuses (between you guys and the lawyers I'm starting to wonder why anyone goes to medical school).

But please don't forget who the real "healthcare providers" are: the folks who spend their youth memorizing endless textbooks, who neglect themselves and their families, all for the privilege of dragging themselves out of bed at 2 a.m. when you need them.

RECYCLING

ONLY FAIR TO ELIMINATE BOTTLE DEPOSITS NOW

We live in Hawai'i Kai and started the recycling program with the different bins. I think it's a great idea of having the different bins to pick up our recyclables.

I think it is only fair to get rid of the HI-5¢ tax per container. Why get charged for something that gets picked up for free?

Usually, people wait until they have enough containers to make it "worth it" to stand in long lines to get their money. This usually causes people to keep their containers piling up outside, which then causes, with the rain, perfect homes for mosquitos.

INTERISLAND TRAVEL

WHAT HAPPENED TO GO!'S PRICE PROMISE?

What happened to Jonathan Ornstein's comment when he was on the Hot Seat Oct. 16 and said that go!'s "fare structure from $39 to $79 would remain unchanged for the foreseeable future and that we could operate quite profitably in that structure" ?

Even the CEO of a Mesa could not forecast less than 90 days out that fuel would rise and rates would need to be adjusted?

In most playbooks, 90 days is within the "foreseeable future" sans any major disasters or game-changing action.

Fuel has been creeping up this whole time. The people of Hawai'i aren't stupid. We can read, and we remember what you said. Especially when it's a little less than three months ago.