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POSTED: Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Inspire children with joy and creativity

Yesterday's edition was a real gem, featuring a plethora of upbeat articles and pictures:

» The joy of reading

» Partnership tunes up kids' love of music

» Raw talent: The Honolulu Symphony and Nanakuli Elementary make sweet music together

» Youthful heart of giving lifts spirits at City of Joy

» Helping seeds grow up to be strong, healthy

» Hawaii wins its ninth straight WAC volleyball tournament (article and photos)

What a stark contrast to the disturbing article on the high rate of suicides in Hawaii, “;String of isle suicides drives crowd to forum.”;

When we invest more into our keiki, sharing meaningful stories with them, playing music, gardening and sports, we inspire them with joy and productivity, thus driving them away from suicidal tendencies.

Yes, we definitely need more uplifting news recognizing groups and individuals who enrich our lives.

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Cell-phone driving should be outlawed

Kudos to Charles Djou and the rest of the City Council for moving forward with a bill to ban text messaging while driving. While it's a start, shame on them and the incapacitated state Legislature for failing to pass a ban on cell phones while driving except with a hands-free device. With the technology readily available and affordable, why wouldn't they do this?

We are in an epidemic of poor driving due to the use of electronic devices. We've all seen it: people floating over into lanes, not moving when the light turns green and, most dangerous of all, crossing over into oncoming traffic. You don't even have to look anymore; it's almost a given the driver is using a cell phone.

This reminds me of the 1970s and '80s when drinking and driving was regularly done with a social nod and a wink. Enough mothers finally lost enough children and the MADD movement gained sufficient national momentum that the laws regarding driving while impaired finally got some teeth. The question I ask our timid lawmakers is, How many of Hawaii's children will be killed and maimed before you make laws to protect them?

Rejoice, for our next leader is from Hawaii

I read with great enthusiasm Richard Borreca's column Sunday regarding how lax we've been in claiming our new president as the product of Hawaii nei. Long before I found out that Barack Obama was from Hawaii, I was certain that he was. He just exudes the Hawaii way. So I wasn't a bit surprised to find out that he was born and raised in the islands—just down the street, as a matter of fact.

We who supported Obama with our enthusiasm and our wallets since the days of DraftObama.com have been greatly disturbed as our governor has gone to excessive lengths to downplay his Hawaii roots. I find this incredible, as his roots go far deeper in Hawaiian soil than do Gov. Linda Lingle's.

I totally agree with Borreca that Hawaii should actively claim our new president. President-elect Obama is moving the aloha spirit into 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. He is Hawaii's gift to the nation and the world. And the nation and the world will be the better for it.

Rejoice, Hawaii!

Hawaii conservatives, stand up and speak

As a conservative Republican I am disturbed by the lack of vocal conservatives here in Hawaii. I believe there must be many out there, but it's a mystery to me why they are so silent. I know about the silent majority, but this is ridiculous.

It's time that conservatives, as an obligation, start speaking out and becoming recognized as a voice of dissent in the community. The liberals who control the cities and state need to realize that there is a large group of people who don't agree with their many failed policies.

Now is the time to join together with like-minded people and start becoming a force for change in our community.

Kubo's doing great job fighting serious crime

Hawaii's U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo is a hero! He has aggressively worked to reduce illegal gun crimes and drug trafficking in Hawaii. He has garnered major accomplishments and many success stories in keeping dangerous repeat offenders off Hawaii's streets. He has locally administered the Department of Justice's Weed & Seed crime prevention initiative, which is weeding Hawaii's communities of crime and seeding with social services. He has kept our communities safe by implementing Project Safe Neighborhood, which is a multifaceted approach to deterring and federally punishing illegal gun crimes.

How do the good citizens of Hawaii keep drug dealers and gun crime offenders off their streets? Reappoint the honorable Ed Kubo as Hawaii's U.S. attorney!