"Less than half of isle youth work," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 3

» Each time Congress raises the cost of hiring entry level workers by raising the minimum wage, millions of teens suffer. It is so amazing to me that the public cannot seem to understand this obvious problem, but I know that feeling good about raising the minimum wage is, in the end, more important that helping our youth. Auwe!

» At ages 12 and 13, I delivered papers in Makiki. At 14, I had a work permit which allowed me to work at bagging groceries as long as it did not exceed 6 pm. At 16, I delivered pizzas in Waikiki. I have always worked and earned my own money, during high school and college. All of my children held jobs while going to high school and college. The youth will learn the importance of having a solid work ethic from parents and the community.

» When pineapple was king and I was a kid, almost everyone worked at the pineapple canneries during the summer. I worked on the third shift at Dole (12-15-hour days). Hard work but you learned the value of your pay. I don’t know what’s available for kids nowadays.

» Financial aid for higher education today is higher than it has ever been and entices even low-performing students to extend their school experience. A better indicator of lack of jobs is the number of people who are underemployed (college graduates working at warehouse jobs, for example).

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"Another aquaculture firm sinks," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 3:

» This is an industry that Hawaii really needs, so we better start making it more feasible and profitable forthwith.

» These ambitious upstarts need government backing. Pump as much money as possible to help these companies succeed. If Hawaii is serious about being self-sustaining, we need more than just energy. We need clean water and food.

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"Show over amid claims it violated the Constitution," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 5:

» By participating in this annual event, which was organized, promoted, and controlled by New Hope, the Moanalua High School orchestra was endorsing this particular Christian church over all others, and religion generally over non-religion. The entanglement of church and public school in this case was obvious and excessive.

» I’m sure that if someone did not want to participate, they would have been allowed, just like students of certain religions are not required to say the Pledge of Allegiance.

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"Bond sale nets state lowest interest rate," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 5:

» Another $800 million deeper into irresponsible debt. They act as if nothing has to be paid back — ever. And, so far, nothing has ever been paid back. The future looks horrible

» Every administration, Republican or Democrat, sells bonds to fund public works — always have, always will.

» That does not make it right. The state should have never gone into debt, but saved the tax money like a bank and used the accumulated funds.

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"Shark attacks total 11, called ‘unusual’," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 6:

» I wonder if it has occurred to any of the scientists that a resurgence of the green sea turtle just might be attracting more predators to the inshore waters.

» There is nothing unusual about this and I’m surprised there aren’t more attacks. When you allow uncontrolled fishing in international waters and allow the honu population to unnaturally increase, its not rocket science to understand that their food supply is depleting in one area and they are simply moving to an area where the food supply has not depleted..

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"Ban on the sand: A bill to outlaw smoking at five beaches is advanced by a 7-2 City Council vote," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 6:

» Personally, I hate smoke. I think I may be slightly allergic to it. That said, this law will be difficult to enforce, so I don’t think it will be too effective.

» Unenforceable? This may be the most enforceable law law on the books! The ban asks officers to take a five-minute walk from their Waikiki station to a spot where someone, in plain sight, is sending up clouds of smoke. Opponents tell us that Honolulu police officers are incapable of doing this? Does it take "5-0"? Ask any officer what "unenforceable" means and he’ll tell you jaywalking, not wearing seatbelts, or shoplifting. A 10-year-old could enforce this law.