Paper or Plastic?

Los Angeles, one of the most polluted cities in the U.S., has announced that it's banning all plastic bags from retail stores beginning July 1, 2010. L.A. joins San Francisco in its effort to decrease pollution. This is an interesting move, and I wonder if/when Hawaii will follow suit?

You'd think that someplace like Hawaii, which lives on tourism and an idyllic representation of the land, would be first on the list to do this. It makes sense financially and ecologically, but I think it'll take a while for us to jump on the bandwagon. It always takes a while for things (ideas, fashion, technology and change) to make it across the Pacific and into the minds of islanders.

But, is this lack of desire for change or extreme loyalty to tradition good or bad?