Beach visit left sour taste
On my recent visit in April to Green Sand Beach, I was horrified to find the sand dunes and rocks crisscrossed by a multitude of car paths and trails which have practically destroyed the pristine appearance of the area, since my last visit in 1992, when I went on foot.
The beach itself has practically disappeared, no sand is found on the sides, only clay formations, and the little sand that remains is at the very bottom, next to the sea.
I have written to the county to designate this unique beach as a county park, perhaps too little and too late, to preserve what remains and to have one single road with a porta potty at either end for health reasons.
The commercial traffic that exists now should be banned, as well, and make a single road with a parking lot available for all to enjoy, at no charge.
Alex Porzecanski
Volcano/London, Canada
Question of safer or damaging sunscreen
In Wednesday’s letters, Dick Peterson presented a false impression that there is a binary choice: protect keiki or protect coral reefs. I would like to correct that.
People of all ages need to be protected from the harmful effects of the sun, but typical sunscreens which contain chemicals with endocrine inhibitors are not the best choice. Oxybenzone, octinoxate, and several other active ingredients used by the major companies who manufacture sunscreen are not the best way to be safe. It isn’t a choice of sunscreen or no sunscreen — it is a choice of safer sunscreen or cheaper, more damaging sunscreen.
The reef is not the only organism that can be harmed by these chemicals. People can, too. That is why they aren’t included in “baby formula” sunscreens. And when sunscreen swaps occur, the items brought in must be disposed of under toxic waste regulations.
The best way to be safe in the sun is with hats, rashguards, and sunscreens that block the sun: zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Clinging to the belief that the major brands, which harm the reef, are the only way to protect keiki is ignoring science. But then, there is a lot of that these days!
Jamie Pardau
Kailua-Kona
Ice addiction shows itself in many ways
If you go to a swap meet or a pawn shop and find tools that have been well maintained, especially if they’re in a plastic blow-molded case, it’s a safe bet they were stolen out of a house or shed by ice junkies.
The police’s hands are tied, because the thieves must be caught in the act, even if neighbors have told them where the junkies and suppliers live. At times, it doesn’t even matter if they are seen on camera.
We are facing an unreal “iceberg” that should be addressed by the larger population.
Dave Kisor
Pahoa