Letters To The Editor
January 20, 2010 - MidWeek
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Del.icio.usSue over fireworks
It is evident that our politicians lack the will or desire to ban general fireworks use. Another lesson in futility will emerge this legislative session.
I suggest the Hawaii Lung Association and ASPCA and/or other concerned groups sue the state of Hawaii, perhaps the Department of Health, for allowing this pollution of noise and air quality to continue year after year. While the Department of Health has no control over vog, a product of natural processes, it should be able to protect us from this preventable, manmade source of pollution. Of course, fireworks shows such as the one at Magic Island would still be permitted. We could get the federal government (EPA) involved also, but one can hope reason would prevail over threats of litigation, and lawmakers would finally do the right thing. If not, I would contribute if a lawsuit had to go forward. I’m sure others would also.
Peter Chisteckoff
Mililani
Where are cops?
Why does it sound like a majority of residents are annoyed by the illegal activities but nothing has been done?
Why are the police asking people’s help turning the neighbor in? Is that because they don’t want to do it themselves?
In December, I was at the stadium for UH football game against Wisconsin, and even before the game there were those illegal aerials in the parking lot, BOOOOM! It felt so close and so loud, I was frightened. People were saying it was being done by law-enforcement personnel or their family and friends. Instead of trying to eliminate such activities, they are doing it themselves! So many police and security personnel around Aloha Stadium, but none was doing anything to prevent it.
And then I read about more than 100 people taken to the hospital for burns and injuries caused by fireworks. This is getting much worse than just a nuisance bad tradition!
I grew up in Japan, where the passing of the previous year to welcoming the new year is sacred, and thus done very quietly. The transition at New Year’s Eve is the time people reflect on the previous year and anticipate the better for the next. Why can’t people in Hawaii do the same, instead of burning money into smoke?
Eddy Iwamura
Aiea
It’s just one day
In response to anti-fireworks letters in MidWeek last week, hey, if you don’t like the noise, put in some good music downloaded to your iPod or MP3. Yes, the fireworks do cause a lot of breathing problems. I am a mother of four all, under the age of 7, and they love to watch the fireworks and light them (of course, with proper supervision). Shall I deprive them of a wonderful fireworks show? To prevent such health risks, my children wear face masks, and when they are finished they, too, are sent into the home, where they tend to enjoy the fireworks from inside, behind the glass picture window, followed by games and maybe crafts or television, or just enjoying their cousins and using their imaginations. My family members have very bad respiratory problems, but they possess true aloha and wear their masks, lock up their homes and watch as their ohana enjoys the celebration, rather than be the ones who shoo them away.
You can’t help that any terrible noise will disrupt animals, but it is one day! It is unfortunate one letter writer lost the beauty and sound created by wild birds, but obviously they were not yours, and birds do tend to migrate.
Finally, the state of Hawaii is civilized. As for our politicians, they are concentrating on other topics, so don’t lecture them about the jobs they do.
Janell Kapuwai
Kaneohe
Quit whining!
Did I miss the vote at the ballot box on fireworks? I thought this was a democratic society (majority rules). You people complaining about fireworks, quit whining! By the way, 60 percent of the fireworks in Hawaii come from the Philippines.
James Prickett
Mililani
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