Terrible rule change regarding crypto
Regarding Michael Brestovansky’s article, “Hawaii opens its doors to cryptocurrency” (Tribune-Herald, Feb. 18), the last lines may be the most important: “… the entire Bitcoin network currently is estimated to consume 168 terawatt-hours of electricity annually … 168 terawatt-hours is roughly the same amount of energy as was consumed by the country of Egypt in 2021.”
That is, to put it mildly, a mindboggling waste of energy and resources being devoted to what amounts to a 21st century Rube Goldberg machine (Google it).
It is clear that Hawaii participating in cryptocurrency Ponzi schemes is in direct conflict with our goal of energy independence and fighting climate change. I can see absolutely no possible benefit from crypto for the working and retired people of our state. As the article points out, cryptocurrency is for speculators and criminals.
The fact that this terrible rule change was slipped past the citizens and probably our elected representatives, as well, is shameful and wrong.
I can’t imagine Gov. Josh Green approving of this waste! I hope it can be reversed.
Jake Jacobs
Kailua-Kona
Tell lawmakers to lower BAC limit
To the editor and everyone reading this: Your voice can help save lives on our Hawaii roads. As they have in each of the last three legislative sessions, our lawmakers have introduced bills to lower the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for driving from 0.08% to 0.05%. This is a proactive policy that has already proven successful in saving lives in Utah.
Lowering the BAC to 0.05% will save lives and hopefully change the mindset to plan ahead if you’re going to be drinking.
We have seen evidence of this policy in Utah, where the BAC has been 0.05 since 2018. During the first year after Utah’s 0.05 BAC law went into effect, traffic fatalities decreased by nearly 20%.
In other countries where the BAC limit is 0.05% or lower, traffic fatalities associated with drivers who had an illegal BAC are now under 25%, with many falling into the single-digit range.
Lawmakers have killed this bill for the past three years, choosing to do nothing and hoping for a different result with regard to alcohol-related driving fatalities. This year, we need everyone to contact their state elected officials and support this bill to save lives.
Even one life lost to an alcohol-related traffic accident is too many.
I have knocked on too many doors in my career to deliver the news a loved one is never coming home again as a result of someone’s selfish decision to drive impaired. For all those who have lost a loved one to impaired driving, I hope 2024 is the year our lawmakers make this vital commitment to say we are going to take the necessary steps to make our roadways safer and attack the problem of impaired driving.
William Hankins
Former Maui Police Department traffic commander
Kihei