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Paradise Trashed and Aloha Vanishing
#41
This has been a very interesting topic and I couldn't resist putting in my two cents worth. I agree with the saying:

quote:
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
Margaret Mead (1901 - 1978)


It has, in fact, always been one of my favorites.

IMHO the reason our government is so big now is because we have come to depend so greatly upon them, or said in a different way, allowed them to take over meeting so many of our needs.

We do not need to government to help us clean up trash. WE can clean up the trash and help others clean up their trash and then teach others to clean up their trash. Many will begin to take pride in the beauty of a trash free environment.

There are always going to be those that just don't buy into it and will keep dumping, but if we all just pitch in and clean up after the few, we will accomplish our goal.

I also do not think that writing it off as a matter of culture is wise either. Litter and dumped cars, appliances and the like damage our environment, whether on one's own property or not. Diapers and wipes is just plain unsanitary and dangerous.

Walt Disney never walked by a piece of trash without picking it up. If you did, you were either not hired or fired. If all the people in Puna that cared acted out of just that value, Puna would look a lot different in no time.

When I was a wee lass in Oregon the big thing was "Give a Hoot, don't Polute." and Oregon was green (Anyone else remember that jingle? Give a Hoot, Don't Polute. Never be a dirty bird. In the city or in the woods, Let's keep America looking good! No wonder I forget so much. I have things like that taking up space in my head!). When they stopped promoting that, people got lazy and when I came back ten years later it was a mess.

Puna may be of small population, but it can be mighty in impact!

So here is the disclaimer: I don't even live there yet, but if I did, I would be happy to organize something. It will have to wait until June if you are going to wait for me though. I encourage you not to.

Maholo for the opportunity to share my thoughts as well.
Sharlee

When life gives you lemons....trade them for chocolate!
When life gives you lemons....trade them for chocolate!
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#42
Aloha!

Just came back from Baja Mexico - now there is a trash disaster.

It looks like the local foliage is plastic bags - green/black/white/clear/translucent "possibly an invasive species".

Scattered clumps of used tires with some runners (carcasses) that "roundup won't touch".

With the setting (or rising) sun, glistening on the ocean of empty cans and bottles as far as the eye can see.

No centralized parks (dumps) to accumulate the fauna; each household has their own individual one just outside the rear/side door. Makes a lovely landscaped neighborhood.

Talk about a native culture and how they treat their environment!

I particularly enjoyed, the nightly burning of used toilet paper wafting through the air.

There is an auto parts store in every yard! Several makes an models to chose from - parts interchangeable!


Puna has problems but NOT to this level.

Paradise is not lost - just misplaced at times!

Mahalo!

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#43
LMFAOROF Thank you, I was getting a little incensed with the road issue but reading menehune's post cracked me up.

one because having been all over Mexico and other "3rd world countries" I have to wonder why one who lives in Hawaii would want to go to Baja?

and because it's to be expected there, geez the memories lol

one Policia car was a 63 Comet with attached tail light from some other car and the driver's side door tied shut with a rope.

Thanks for the laugh and the memories.

Lucky we live Hawaii, even with all the recent BS and construction.
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#44
Yep, pollution is everywhere! Recycling is sustainable only if it is profitable. Junk cars were drastically reduced on oahu because of the chineese thirst for steel, till today. with metal recyclng especially. The CC is fumbling with a half baked recycling program that has been approved by the unions and is doomed or least will require subsidies. Plus now you pay for twice a week pickup. The tex drive in paper conversion was driven by community concerns. A green label for a business is a potential financial plus for them, win-win and soft sold, not ordered! We don't really have enough volume here to justify recycling, plus the shipping cost is exhorbinant for a car let alone garbage. Take hi5, that works pretty well with cans at 6cents, bottles though need 15cents, and they'd dissapear. That is win win, those who can afford to throw them out provide an income for the needy, and charitable orgs. An option, you could redeem it, not an order! Most of the value of recyclables is eaten up by shipping, thanks in part to our protected big time shippers, interisland & mainland. Profitable private recycling works, government run ones don't, with gov, cost doesn't matter, they can always find a pot(geothermal fund)not being used, or just raise taxes. On oahu a junk car worth 20 bucks goes to 100 if there's a ship coming. There was a plastic lumber mfg. on maui, but they couldn't get enough volume to fill orders when we inquired, not sure of todays status, but to get an end product you need volume, coupled with absolute zero emission standards, can it compete? Mexico's Petronas national oil company for instance. Huge profits, but not much trickles down. So now we get a huge influx of illeagls coming up here, and where's Kennedy today? A safety net is a necessity in a wealthy nation, but without controls, is is terribly destructive to it's supposed beneficiaries! Another question, why can't matson give very special rates going mainland, their ships are nearly empty, and they have a near monopoly thanks to the gov., why won't helco get behind geo power, same thing!
Gordon J Tilley
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#45
Mexican Police! Now that cop car is true recycling. And they also have a zero waste paper program, fines are collected directly in cash, and to be fair, are calculated by the value of your car. We were stopped on our way to ensenada in a 65 comet, for speeding. "But officer i was only going the posted speed"(in mph). Fortunately i was courteous, as i now know that punishment is also direct and efficient. The fine was only 5 bucks, guess he didn't like my car!
Gordon J Tilley
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#46
Forgot about that. Yea fines can be on the road and usually goes into the pocket of the cop who's only making $5 a day. Never had a problem with any policia down there from the Yucatan to San Blas/Tepic and Mexicali.
Maybe I just don't look suspicious, si?
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#47
Not knocking the cops, I was metrically challenged. The cops there @ most everywhere will mirror the attitude you project. It aint the folks, it's the govt. Can't imagine why they want out?
Gordon J Tilley
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#48
Great post Sharlee! I am going to put a garage bag in my car so that when I stop to get water, take a hike in the park or along the beach, I will have something to take along in which I can put the trash I pick-up.

Yes, I remember the "give a hoot, don't pollute" campaign!


Susan
Susan
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#49
And the free promo logo litter bags!
Gordon J Tilley
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#50
They must have just cut the grass on the side of the road in the last few days from the bridge after Shower Dr. to the dumps on the makai side of 130.
Because there was SO much trash, it looked like someone emptied their bag and let it spill for a mile. Unbelievable.

If you're going to town look see tell me I'm not trippin'.....
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