I’d like Maui hotels and corporate event planners to replace fireworks shows with infinitely more creative, quiet and non-polluting drone light shows.

Google “drone light shows” to see samples of the amazing possibilities.

Besides, fireworks-generated explosions, bright lights and air pollution cannot be good for resting and nesting monk seals, sea turtles, sea birds, whales and all manner of nearshore sea life.

Use of drones in place of fireworks need not affect the livelihoods of those currently benefiting financially from them, but it would entail investment in their businesses. Consider this: Once done, these businesses would no longer have to purchase and explode costly inventory.

All it will take is for one forward-thinking company to enter the field after which I expect others would either follow suit or be left behind.

I see the same thing happening in garden maintenance.

As gardeners shift to quieter and less polluting battery-powered equipment, those continuing to use noisy and stinky gas-powered equipment will likely lose business.

All Wailea hotels have taken the lead here by converting their garden maintenance equipment to quiet, battery-powered tools for which they deserve our applause.

Mark Hyde

Wailea