Isles should lead in clean energy

In his State of the Union address, President Barack Obama called for “;a comprehensive energy and climate bill with incentives that will finally make clean energy the profitable kind of energy in America.”;

Hawaii is in the unique position of heading up the drive to move toward clean energy production because one of Hawaii's own is siting in the White House. Let's show the rest of America we are dedicated to our ohana, keiki, islands, ocean and country by moving forward with clean energy projects and environmental safety regulations that will benefit the entire planet.

A market-based solution will provide a much-needed incentive for investment in new technologies, innovation, new products and clean energy jobs. It will also boost energy efficiency and savings, spurring a new wave of economic expansion right here in Hawaii and throughout the nation.

Let's harness the great potential of Hawaiian innovation and ingenuity to be the leader in reinstating America as a global leader in clean energy.

Ditch rail before it bankrupts us

Do we need it? Can we afford it? Can we maintain it?

Remember? I would submit the answer to those three questions is a resounding “;no.”; It will take 10 years just to turn the state's finances around and we simply can no longer afford it.

How about following through on the “;Second City”; concept we all agreed on when the H-3 freeway was being built in the '70s? How about showing some island innovation and experimenting with things like flex-time, telecommuting and hot lanes?

Wanna save $6 billion? (Imagine what else we could do with that money!) Three simple steps:

» Move the city and state department offices out of downtown.

» Give Hawaii Pacific University tax incentives to move out of downtown.

» Build UH-West Oahu and move more classes there and to the community college system.

Our family feels rail is a huge mistake, and we'll be taking our small businesses and money and leaving the state. We've been Hawaii taxpayers for more than 15 years.

When — not if — the project goes over budget and when — not if — the revenue does not add up, do we really think our follow citizens on the neighbor islands won't be forced to pay for a choo choo they've never seen, let alone ridden on?

New generation abuses fireworks

On Jan. 18 around 6:10 p.m., our neighborhood lost electricity till it came back at 7:35 p.m. During that short period, I heard about seven of those annoying bombs exploding, ruining the peaceful and eerily beautiful dark moment. I enjoy fireworks, and our family has been safely celebrating it for years. But it seems each generation is lacking common courtesy and becoming more obnoxious.

As I am now in my early 40s, I am ready for a total ban. People aren't abiding the law; therefore they should face the consequences. I know most people are following the rules, but those minority rule breakers are catching up. I am wondering what those irritating bombs have to do with celebrating the new year. If our community is supposedly poor, where are those people getting the money to purchase these illegal contraptions? It's amazing how all of a sudden they have money for illegal fireworks but none for the necessities in life.

Enough is enough.

Frank Doyle is soccer hero

A tip of the coconut hat to local unsung soccer hero, Frank Doyle, who was inducted in the U.S. Adult Soccer Association Region IV Hall of Fame in January.

For 35 years, he has toiled in the trenches bringing all facets of soccer to a higher level. He started in the youth leagues and advanced to every part of the game. He coached youth, high school, college, indoor, co-ed and professional soccer.

Among his achievements: He was a founder of the Hawaii Tsunami Professional USISL (U.S. Interregional Soccer League) team, Hawaii Collegiate League, Co-ed Soccer League and head coach of the Hawaii Pacific University men's team.

He has been president of the Hawaii Youth Soccer Association and a long-time director of the Hawaii Soccer Association. It was Frank's vision that produced the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex with its 28 fields and lighted stadium that visiting U. S. Soccer Federation officials have ranked in the top five in the U.S. It is no wonder that this dedicated guy deserved this honor.

Didn't Jesus uphold equality?

All families in Hawaii deserve the equal dignity and respect that civil unions offer. It should not matter whether you are getting that civil union with someone of the same gender.

Civil unions provide necessary protections for couples and families, including rights related to property, taxes, health care, family leave and adoption. These are crucial things that our Hawaii families need, and it should not matter whether the family has gay or straight members. Denying citizens the right to civil unions is discrimination.

Why can't we have everyone be equal? Isn't that what Jesus wanted?