"State asks to alter way of measuring schools’ progress,"Star-Advertiser, July 30:

» Rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. If they want real change, empower parents, use parent triggers, vouchers and other means to allow parents to have control. The cozy relationships between unions, politicians and administrators has not worked. Also, give teachers the total rights allowed by a full-on Right to Work Law. Do something of consequence.

» Can’t succeed playing by the rules? No problem, just change the rules.

» They should stick to test scores because test scores are perfect and they measure everything!

"TV program profiles pair on the lam from justice,"Star-Advertiser, July 31:

» I hope they get caught! They destroyed other people’s lives and they need to face what they deserve!

» Lock ’em up for good.

"UH-Manoa sees building boom,"Star-Advertiser, July 30:

» Well overdue, but I’m happy for the students, university and state. It’s a step in the right direction.

» Funding should be halted for any capital improvements at the University of Hawaii. It has clearly demonstrated its inability to maintain what is there now. Weeds growing everywhere. Buildings in disrepair with furniture and all kinds of other discarded items left scattered about. UH campus is a disgrace. Providing this monster with more money is foolish without seriously addressing current maintenance problems.

» Regarding the Campus Center renovation, why spend money on an indoor jogging track? OK, so it rains a lot in Manoa, but the temperature is still conducive to running outdoors.

» Indoor jogging track? Weight training? Fitness rooms? Most taxpayers don’t have the money to join a private gym and yet they expect us to pay for these facilities for students whose tuition is already subsidized by taxpayers? And they still aren’t addressing the lack of parking.

"Hydrogen fuel station is a model for others,"Star-Advertiser, July 31:

» This is the real future, not the Chevy Dolt.

» When the State of Hawaii moves past the Public Utilities Commission/ Hawaiian Electric Co. gridlock on energy and rates to sustainable hydrogen, everything will change. Are the powers that be going to allow that to happen? Hydrogen is not only for cars but to power the electric grid, hydride batteries and export.

"Warriors will be a little more anonymous in 2012,"Star-Advertiser, July 31:

» Whether or not they do this, it is an excellent move by Coach Norm Chow in so many ways. There is no "I" in the word "team." Anyone who has played team sports understands this.

» I don’t like it. But then I’m just a season ticket holder. I don’t count.

» What next? Leather helmets?

"Victorino and League traded to Dodgers in separate deals,"Star-Advertiser, July 31:

» Awesome news — closer to home and much better weather.

» Never liked the Dodgers. Do now!

» Still in shock about Shane. I guess I’m now a big-time Dodger fan. For all you old-timers like me who remember and miss the Columbia Inn Restaurant and owner "Tosh" Kaneshiro, well, Tosh is up there in Dodger Heaven with a huge smile on his face with this trade.

"Sea turtles’ threatened status under review,"Star-Advertiser, Aug. 2:

» Leave the honu alone!

» The Endangered Species Act requires a recovery goal for each endangered species. What is that goal for Hawaiian green turtles? How many nesting females do there have to be? There were 843 on East Island in 2011. How many more to reach the goal? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration needs to think long and slowly about whether it is science-driven or political on this one. The back story is that if the green turtles in Hawaii are declared recovered, fishermen won’t have to worry about them being caught by longline fishers, formerly a significant source of mortality, but reduced in recent years with the imposition of changes in gear and fishery methods.

» Can’t wait for a delicious turtle steak!

"Clash leads to ukulele bashing, police say,"Star-Advertiser, Aug. 2:

» When ukuleles are outlawed, only outlaws will have ukuleles.

"Pro-rail PAC pays out $1M to parry Cayetano,"Star-Advertiser, Aug. 2:

» Pacific Resource Partnership is heavily into the "pay to play" game with its $1 million in pro-rail ads — and won’t reveal its contributors. The campaign commission should investigate and make the guilty pay heavy fines and time in jail.

» Who are these folks? Come out of hiding so we can assess your credibility.

» All that money spent and they still can’t move the needle on public opinion against rail.

» Ben Cayetano was cleared of any wrongdoing, yet the pro-railers continue to bombard prime-time television with negative ads. Just how much profits are they raking in that they can spend a million dollars in flaky commercials? The dirt has flown back in their faces.

» The rail commercials portray the early morning commute getting up at 4:45 a.m. to face heavy traffic very accurately. It hits home for many people. We need rail for a better quality of life.