Letters: some bus drivers do not wear the mandatory masks; Building TMT is a good way to diversify the economy; Keep cleaning Palolo Stream

TheBus should hire a graphic artist to create posters for the interior of the bus to inform passengers that wearing a mask on your chin or over your mouth, but not over your nose, is unhelpful and could harm others.

The bus has become increasingly crowded with locals, some of whom seem to think they can wear their masks in front of the driver to board the bus, but take them off once they sit down. When tourists start riding the bus, timely warnings and instructions would benefit everyone.

I think bus drivers deserve extra dangerous customs fees. Thank you for doing your job in these dangerous times.

Judith Pettibone

Makiki

Enforce health codes at farmers’ markets

A trip to a farmers market in Kailua last Sunday was an eye-opening event. There were food vendors without masks, or some with masks only on their chins, exposing their noses and mouths as they took orders from customers and called out names of people who had food ready for pickup.

Such blatant violation of state and city ordinances poses a public health risk and irresponsibly increases the likelihood of triggering a second wave of COVID-19 disease in Hawaii.

We need a “hotline” and rapid response team from the Department of Health and law enforcement that can investigate and take action when individuals, groups, and especially businesses and vendors, are endangering public health by not wearing masks properly.

Galen Chock

Makiki

Raise prices, reduce tourist numbers

For now, the beast of tourism is at bay, but there seems little determination to do anything but watch and await its return.

I think Hawaii should become a more exclusive vacation destination instead of a bargain destination. The number of flights to the islands is to be halved and the fare raised accordingly. Vacation rentals should be banned or taxed to death.

The tourism industry will weep and whine, but reduced tourist activity should give us the extra time we need to find long-term solutions to our systemic social problems, including homelessness and a lack of economic diversity. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that shouldn’t be wasted in a rush to get back to business as usual.

Edward D Lasky

Hawaii Kai

Building TMT is a good way to diversify the economy

Lee Cataluna’s catalog of warnings about the need to diversify the economy prompts me to write that the Thirty Meter Telescope should be part of a diversified economy (“Decades-long warnings from Hawaii governors to diversify the economy unheeded,” Star Advertiser, 14th June ). The TMT as “Big Science” will bring many advantages to both the students and the economy.

It would be sad if young people from Hawaii missed out on participating in the astronomical research that, of course, brought people to these islands in the first place. As a student, I was fortunate enough to land a job in a “Big Science” lab, and interacting with researchers and graduate students also helped me with my courses. The lab has created many spin-off benefits for local businesses, both economically and technically.

Academics tend to be respectful people and with the help of new rules will be better at protecting the environment.

Imua both Mauna Kea and the TMT.

Daniel C Smith

Pearl City

Disobeying the law leads to tragic events

These police shootings are tragic for both the dead victim and the career officer involved. I’m pretty sure no cop goes to work thinking, “Today I’m going to shoot a bad guy.”

What I don’t see mentioned are factors common to many of these shootings: the victims do not respect authority; they resist arrest, sometimes violently; many are physically large; some are armed.

The arresting officer is a professional, but also a human being: he or she may feel his or her life threatened.

The key here is the lack of respect for authority and law. We usually learn this from our parents, but family breakdown contributes to this situation.

Black lives matter, but so does respect for the law.

Sam Wallis

Hilo

Defund does not address the complexity of the problem

I am frustrated by what I see as abuse of language, particularly the use of the term “defund” to describe necessary changes in police roles and responsibilities.

While passionate about stealing money from the police, it could be misinterpreted as a solution to the problem, which it most certainly won’t be. This reductionism damages the complexity and depth of the problem. The language is divisive and misleading, which can lead to its abuse by those who would oppose the necessary reform.

Jeffrey Stern

Kalihi

Keep cleaning Palolo Stream

The Palolo Stream, which begins at the St. Louis Heights Bridge, pollutes the Ala Wai Canal, the harbor, and eventually Ala Moana Beach Park. Garbage dumped by homeless people daily; They also urinate and defecate in the stream.

Honolulu police have made arrests and the city has cleared the river a few times, but within 24 hours the homeless are clogging the river and threatening residents. A solution must be found before floods cause property damage or loss of life.

The city has a “Clean Stream Hotline,” but no one answers or replies to messages. I’ve been pushed around by city officials and workers for the past two months. Any suggestions?

Richard Tuteur

Kaimuki


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