Island birds vulnerable to global warming

With its striking scarlet and black plumage and long curved beak, the iiwi, or scarlet Hawaiian honeycreeper, is one of Hawaii's most recognizable forest birds. Its brilliant feathers adorned native Hawaiians' capes and clothing as a symbol of power and prestige, and its mysterious metallic call is a welcome addition to the forest symphony.

Bar's judicial review process does justice to nominees

When the Hawaii State Bar Association board of directors rated Judge Katherine Leonard as "unqualified" to be chief justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court, it brought the organization's judicial review process into question. Many in the community thought the HSBA should have provided reasons for its decision.

Federal spending on basic high-tech research helps Hawaii

At the second annual Asia-Pacific Clean Energy Summit this week in Honolulu, there will likely be plenty of discussion about how to achieve the state's audacious goal of supplying 70 percent of its energy needs with clean sources by 2030.

UH-Manoa graduating students on timely basis

In response to issues raised by students in the article, "Community college enrollment rises 7 percent" (Star-Advertiser, Aug. 25), allow me to explain some University of Hawaii at Manoa initiatives.

A sea change for oceans

The recent tragedy in the Gulf of Mexico has focused our nation's attention on the challenge of balancing competing uses of our marine resources. The threat from oil spills, however, is just one of the problems our oceans face today.

Hawaii well-positioned to ride China wave

This month China surpassed Japan as the world's secondlargest economy. And that's just the tipping point as China transforms from a central command economy to a market-driven economy under Communist Party guidance.

Overhaul of land-use regulations being rushed

In the waning months of her administration, Gov. Linda Lingle is working hard to undo environmental protections before she leaves office.

Kahana Valley families living in limbo

Kahana Valley State Park -- all 5,000-plus acres of it -- is state land, purchased with taxpayer funds. As such, all of the Kahana lands are public lands protected by Article XI, Section 5 of the Hawaii State Constitution.

Rail will help direct growth across Oahu

Rail will benefit growth management on Oahu. In the 1950s and early 1960s, Pearl City-Aiea was country. Above Kamehameha Highway, sugar cane fields grew from the current site of the Sears Distribution Warehouse far up into the hills. Moanalua Road was an unpaved cane haul road regularly sprinkled with oil to keep the dust down. Freshwater springs and watercress farms dotted lower Pearl City and Aiea.

Candidates would do well to heed older voters

It's shaping up to be a long, hot summer in Hawaii politics. Debates have hit the airwaves, candidates are stumping, knocking on doors, attending bon dances and farm fairs, and telling us what they'll do if elected. They're doing a lot of talking.