Pearls of wisdom, straight from our politicians’ mouths

As we bid aloha to 2011, I’ll contribute by sharing my 10 favorite newsmaker quotes collected during the year:

» From President Barack Obama on the flap over his Hawaii birth: "Can I just say, I was there, so I knew that — I knew I had been born. I remembered it." Especially memorable were the three wise kupuna who brought him gifts of laulau, shave ice and li hing myrrh.

» From Gov. Neil Abercrombie on criticism of his tax and budget proposals: "I am the governor. I’m not your pal. I’m not your counselor. I am the governor." And with that attitude, the least popular one in the nation, with 30 percent public approval.

» From Mayor Peter Carlisle on community complaints about APEC security: "Even though we live in Hawaii, where the sun is shining and it’s beautiful, there are some people who grumble every day." Mostly about politicians who think the sun shines only on them.

» From U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa on her new job: "The goals for my first year are really to serve the people of the state of Hawaii." That seemed like a fair way to split her term — one year serving us and one year serving her campaign donors.

» From former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger during a visit to Dole Middle School: "In life you can only be successful if you’re smart." I’d say hiding a love child from your wife for 13 years is more clever than smart.

» From Senate Ways and Means Chairman David Ige on a budget proposal: "There are lots of areas that are obviously not good ideas. There are many provisions that are unconstitutional; there are many provisions that may violate federal law." In other words, a typical bill in the Hawaii Legislature.

» Again from Abercrombie, on schoolyard bullies: "When you treat someone else disrespectfully, it doesn’t make you bigger. It makes you smaller." I knew something must have stunted his growth.

» From City Councilman Tom Berg on Secret Service agents who refused him re-entry to an APEC event when he appeared intoxicated: "They were laughing and snickering at me like I was a nut." So much for the stereotype that federal agents never smile.

» From U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Oahu’s $5.3 billion rail proposal: "This project is being done by the book." The plan to pay for it comes from "The Book of Common Prayer."

» Finally, a couple of delicious tweets from U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye’s office:

First: "Senator Inouye is grabbing a long john and other pastries from @LilihaBakery."

Then, 25 minutes later: "Senator Inouye is helping announce a $24.5 million grant for @UHManoa to study and combat childhood obesity."

Nothing says fitness like Coco Puff crumbs on your chin.

Reach David Shapiro at volcanicash@gmail.com or blog.volcanicash.net.