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Bill would lead to fewer
youth traffic accidents

THE ISSUE A state Senate committee has approved a bill to suspend the driver's license of anyone under 21 convicted of possessing alcohol.

THE recent sharp rise in traffic fatalities involving young drivers has resulted in unusual cooperation between the Lingle administration and the Legislature to curb youthful excesses. In addition to a three-stage licensing program for beginning drivers, a bill to suspend the licenses of young drivers convicted of possessing alcohol has gained bipartisan support.

The Senate Transportation and Government Operations Committee has given its unanimous approval to the measure, which would strip the driver's license of anyone under 21 who is convicted of alcohol possession, regardless of whether the youth has imbibed. The alcohol-toting minor would be barred from regaining the license until age 18 or for 90 days, whichever is longer.

A separate measure would require that beginning drivers acquire learning permits and provisional licenses before attaining full licenses and includes nighttime and teenage passenger restrictions. It would prohibit those under 18 from driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed parent or guardian. A similar bill was torpedoed in last year's session after a controversial traffic-camera proposal was attached.

The licensing bill is similar to laws in at least 38 states that have seen reductions in the number of accidents involving teenage drivers by as much as one-third. Like most of those laws, both of the bills in the Hawaii Legislature allow exceptions for driving to and from school or work.

Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona says young drivers will pay attention to the consequences of violating the restriction. "Once they find out that if you're caught with liquor -- and you don't have to be driving -- or you consume liquor, your license will be suspended, that will get around very quickly."

The Legislature also should follow a suggestion by Sen. Donna Mercado Kim that the alcohol-possession bill include possession of illicit drugs. Aiona supports her proposal.

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Hawaii might fall behind
in stem cell research

THE ISSUE A legislative committee has deferred a bill that would have established a state policy on the research.

FEDERAL restrictions have prompted a number of states to look into investing their own funds in stem cell research, which has great potential for treating a variety of diseases.

Hawaii's entry into the field comes slowly as legislators this week deferred a bill that, at most, would have determined a state policy about research at a time when considerable investments are being made in the University of Hawaii's medical school and other biotech facilities. Instead, a House committee cleared a weak alternative -- a resolution to set up a task force to review the issue.

Embryonic stem cell research has been a flash point of conflict. President Bush, bowing to demands by extremists who warn it is a prelude to human cloning, has restricted federal funding to study existing cell lines that were later discovered to be contaminated by mouse cells.

But scientist believe stem cells can be used not only to study how diseases such as diabetes and Parkinson's develop, but to produce treatment, maybe even cures.

Lawmakers' hesitancy reflects the sensitivity of the issue and forming a task force to gather community sentiment isn't a bad idea. However, there is some urgency.

Even if research that has been slowed by the restrictions is ramped up, potential cures lie years away. In the meantime, most of the best research by the best scientists has been taking place outside of the United States.

California, recognizing the medical and economic potential, last year passed a $3 billion bond measure to finance stem cell research with universities and related institutions competing to lead the way. The hope is to lure top researchers in the biotech industry, something Hawaii had also been hoping for in its nascent biotech effort.

New Jersey has put up $400 million and Connecticut also is considering a law to do the same. If Hawaii is to become a biotech player, it must act more aggressively.