Stinging insects could be Superferry riders

The Hawaii Tribune Herald reported Feb. 13 that fruit pickers are fleeing fire ant stings in a Papaikou orchard. A home near the University of Hawaii in Hilo is one of more than 40 known fire ant sites in Hilo and Puna.

There are no approved pesticides for killing fire ants in edible fruit orchards. The tiny ants are even found in the fur of pets, where they can eventually cause blindness to the animals.

The ants are so small (about the thickness of a penny) they easily travel on plants, clothing, even pets, and could presumably hitch a ride in a car or truck.

This is just one exciting possibility that could be discussed by an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Superferry -- unless, of course, the business sweetheart deal being proposed allows the proponents to avoid following the law that requires the study.

Maybe saving a few bucks to drive a car around the state has some hidden costs. Maybe we should know more about them before signing a deal. Maybe we should follow the law, instead of being panicked into thinking the first offer is the last and only one.

Social Security reform will help Americans

It's predictable that Hawaii's all-Democratic congressional delegation will work against President Bush's Social Security reform. The sad part is they will again be putting partisan politics ahead of national interest The president's proposals are intriguing in several ways. By allowing workers to set aside a percentage of the 14 percent paid into Social Security by employer and employee, we automatically increase the national rate of savings currently among the lowest in the industrialized world. This represent billions of additional dollars for investment in new economic growth.

Also investment by those who choose to do so in whatever bundle of conservative stocks and/or bond funds that meet federal approval represents a boon for the middle class. Like the home mortgage deduction or the Homestead Act of the 1860s, the middle class needs a new source of wealth for expansion and prosperity. By owning a greater share of the engines of the nation's economy the "stuck in neutral" nature of middle-class income can begin to be linked to the overall prosperity of the nation's business enterprises.

The president's Harvard MBA training shows through in his proposals and represents important new options for individual wealth creation.

New road rules by popular demand

We've just been notified that our police have begun to delightfully enforce the new road rules for driving on Oahu roads. Yippee! Here are just a few ideas and quotes from their new manual.

Whoa! Yippee!

Royal band wows 'em at Kapiolani concert

Bravo! to Maestro Michael D. Nakasone and the members of the Royal Hawaiian Band on their Feb. 27 Kapiolani Bandstand concert. It was wonderful to hear the band perform with such renewed vitality and energy. With a program entirely devoted to traditional Hawaiian music, song and dance, the RHB serenaded its very large audience beautifully on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon. It was a marvelous start of a new era for the band under its new conductor.