Commentary

Making Yourself Recession-Proof

Dr. Wynn Okuda — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:55:52 +0000

The news reminds us daily of the unfortunate economic situation that our country and state are in. In the midst of this downturn, there are many things we can do for ourselves to increase our successes in our personal and professional lives. This way we can make ourselves as recession-proof as possible and thrive in good and bad times.

It's Winnin' Time

Joe Edwards — Fri, 22 May 2009 20:00:00 +0000

For the Rainbow baseball team, it's as simple as that. Win as many games as possible, for as long as possible, and see what happens from there.

Anything is feasible. Ask Fresno State. After all, the Bulldogs kept winning games last year and they ended up national champs.

I'm not saying Hawaii has the kind of team to win the NCAA title, but the Rainbows should be good enough to play deep into the Western Athletic Conference tournament, which began May 21 at Murakami Stadium.

Drawing Attention to Food Self-Sufficiency

Lt. Governor Duke Aiona — Fri, 22 May 2009 02:00:00 +0000

As big round figures go, this one is pretty remarkable: Hawai'i imports more than 85 percent of its food.

At the Taste of East O'ahu in April, I explored the implications, as well as the missed opportunities, presented by our incredible dependence on imported food. The underlying message conveyed at the event - organized, in part, to help promote hunger relief in East O'ahu - was that we need to protect and strengthen agriculture in Hawai'i.

The Neglected Smile

Dr. Wynn Okuda — Thu, 21 May 2009 20:00:00 +0000

Wisdom Tooth

This month I want to address a dental situation that some choose to ignore and have for many years. It's the neglected smile. There are people who have not seen a dentist for 5, 10, 15 or more years. A neglected smile could happen to anyone, even to the most successful and responsible business people. The U.S. Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health stated that 33 percent of Americans have not visited their dentist in the past year. The serious reality is that professional and personal dental neglect is extremely detrimental to your oral health.

Reforming Government in a Recession

Councilmember Charles Djou — Sat, 09 May 2009 00:00:58 +0000

Djou on Politics

Tight fiscal times can force families and businesses to rethink how they work. Our government should do the same. The recent special election for the Windward Oahu City Council seat is a good example of how we can reform our government in a recession.

A few weeks ago, the voters in Windward Oahu elected a new city councilmember to replace Barbara Marshall, who passed away earlier this year after a long bout with cancer. This special election was mandated by law.

What made the special election unique was its exclusive use of mail-in ballots.

Working Together to Improve Waikiki

Mayor Mufi Hannemann — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:09:45 +0000

I was pleased to recently approve Bill 70 (2008), an important signage regulation measure supported by Waikiki businesses, the Outdoor Circle, and many others.

This measure is important to our economy and the health of Waikiki businesses because it will provide greater flexibility in the placement and design of signs that guide visitors and other customers. The measure will also assure the preservation and improvement of Waikiki's aesthetic qualities.

Rainbows Ready to Make Some Noise

Joe Edwards — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 02:00:58 +0000

There was a time, not long ago, when Rainbow baseball was simply the best show going at the University of Hawaii athletic department.

Les Murakami built a strong program, took the 'Bows to the College World Series, and followed it up with nearly two decades of spectacular play. If you went to what was then Rainbow Stadium on a Friday night, or a sunny weekend afternoon, the odds were stacked in your favor that you'd see great baseball and the Rainbows would win and send you home happy.

Taxing Driving

Councilmember Charles Djou — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 22:00:25 +0000

Djou on Politics

Some people truly enjoy driving. For others, it is simply a necessary chore. For everyone on Oahu, however, it is something that has been expensive and is about to get even more expensive.

For this upcoming year's budget, the mayor is proposing a whopping 33 percent tax hike in the city vehicle tax from $30 to $40 per 1,000 pounds. This comes on top of a 50 percent tax increase Mayor Hannemann pushed through in 2006 and another tax increase the previous administration added on in 2003.

Who Says You Can't Buy Time?

Dr. Wynn Okuda — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 02:00:00 +0000

The Wisdom Tooth

There is a revolutionary procedure that is changing the way cosmetic and restorative dentistry is delivered, and I'm proud to say that it's happening on our island of Oahu in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It's called "Accelerated Cosmetic Treatment" (ACT), and the number one reason patients like it is because it condenses the time they have to spend in the dentist's chair. You definitely won't hear complaints about that! The same quality end result begins with a different approach to treatment planning from the start.

Do We Really Need the Pro Bowl?

Joe Edwards — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 00:00:14 +0000

The Pro Bowl is coming back to Hawaii in 2011, provided, of course, there actually is a Pro Bowl that year.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann says it's a great idea. Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona and the Hawaii Tourism Authority can't wait to fork over $4 million, and change, to the NFL each year. And the league will gladly take it, as long as our supposedly substandard stadium is brought more into line with what the NFL considers acceptable.

The question I want answered is: do we really need the Pro Bowl? Or further: do we need the NFL to tell us what to do with our public facilities for the "privilege" of hosting the game?