Letters for Aug. 4, 2015

Letters for Aug. 4, 2015

Airline prices unfair for locals

I am encouraging anyone who is willing to file monopoly complaints against Hawaiian Airlines regarding their service to Kauai. Both of these can easily be done on the FTC.gov and DOJ.gov websites under their sections about antitrust law and monopolies.

In 10 years, we have seen the average ticket price go from around $30 to an average of well over $100. To get a fair rate, one has to book out days or weeks in advance and take really bad times. Earning and using miles for tickets has also become more costly and difficult.

While I have had good customer service from their employees and enjoy Hawaiian’s newer fleet, I’ve also seen their stock nearly double in the past year alone and often have to pay as much for a fare to another island as I would pay for a trip to California. This cannot be just. From my perspective, this is an abuse of the public trust and the power they have over the outer islands. Until/if/when we have greater competition again, they need to be regulated either as a natural monopoly (because the barriers to entry into the Hawaiian air market are too high) or as a local monopoly because of their dominance in the region.

I recognize that the motions that set all of this in place were instigated by Go!/Mesa’s reckless behavior but that does not excuse what Hawaiian Airlines has done with this newly exaggerated power. It sure seems like their expanding international routes are being financed by their loyal and captive audience of Hawaiian locals.

Jason Blake

Lihue

To the editor:

Thank you, TGI, for bringing the discussion about the new dispensary law front and forward.

I truly believe that opening up dialogue between all stakeholders and the Kauai community will be a key aspect to make sure the new program is safe and successful. As a registered nurse I have seen the medical benefits of cannabis and I realize the new law will help a large portion of individuals who have little to no reliable access to medicine. I grew up on Kauai. I have a 7-year-old daughter and another child on the way. The last thing I want to see is cannabis ending up in the wrong hands.

Due to space requirements regarding the recent article there were a couple of Kauai Dispensary Project goals that were unmentioned, the most important being safety. The state Legislature along with the Department of Health are creating strict security, safety and cannabis laboratory testing requirements for dispensary operators. KPD plans to go above and beyond what is required of the state to ensure patient, employee and community safety are maintained.

Judiah McRoberts, R.N.

Lead director, Kauai Dispensary Project

Kilauea

Start with being respectful

“There’s a land that I dreamed of once in a lullaby.” And all the while, we thought it was the City of Oz, but no, it’s here where we are on our beloved Kauai!

That being the case, the startling reality is that we need to pay attention to the limits of the carrying capacity of our aina!

We can’t just pack them in like sardines because they are all clamoring to catch a glimpse of “the end of the road” at Haena or the vistas of scenic splendor in the Kokee mountains. The “malama aina” practices and principles must be factored in to the ways in which all of us here — residents and visitors — must adhere to ways in which we protect and preserve our finite resources. That being the case, the ways in which we take care of the air, water and land cannot be taken for granted.

Be cautious. Be careful. Be mindful. Don’t clutter. Don’t contaminate. Don’t mess up! Be respectful. How’s that for starters?

Jose Bulatao Jr.

Kekaha

Keep barking dog law

Vince Cosner’s letter (TGI, Aug. 1) was right on.

Prior to the law being passed we had quite a few “all night barkers” in my Kapaa neighborhood. Once the law took effect the neighborhood dogs went silent. Peaceful, quiet sleep ensued.

Now Ross Kagawa wants to return to the Dark Ages. This doesn’t make sense to me or my friends and neighbors.

Why are you spearheading this Mr. K? I haven’t heard one reasonable explanation.

Keep this law!

Bill Doherty

Kapaa