We’re surrounded by clean energy

The depressing vista of gas-price signs at every service station, and of electric bills with bottom lines that keep ticking upward, reminds everyone that Hawaii is a long way from getting its energy challenges handled.

But there’s been an array of advances on several clean-energy fronts that cast a rosier glow on the future. Some — ocean thermal energy conversion and sea water air conditioning, among others — were spotlighted at a recent energy forum.

Then last week came news that the state is studying the production of hydrogen, using power generated by Puna Geothermal Ventures. That’s hydrogen, the H in H20, and there’s water, water, everywhere in Hawaii. In theory, it should be an unlimited supply.

A whole lot has to happen before theory becomes practice, but having such visions of sugarplums dance in our heads is more pleasant than visions of those electric bills.

At long last, let the voting begin

For absentee mail-in voters just champing at the bit to help decide our general election, your wait is finally over.

Starting today, absentee ballots are being mailed out to registered voters who requested them. That means eager beavers can cast their votes in the comfort of their homes and return the ballots via mail well ahead of the Nov. 6 general election. Or, after the ballot arrives, take it to one of the walk-in polling sites to be set up from Oct. 23 to Nov. 3 (see http://hawaii.gov/elections/voters/AB_Early_Walk_Locations.pdf); just remember to bring an ID.

For the rest of us, having our say in this democratic process will be done on the first Tuesday of November in polling precincts, the old-fashioned way. Regardless of the method, just vote.