8.3 million people is a lot of guests in the house

At what point does the number of tourists arriving here each year become too many? In 2014 the number increased by 1.3 percent over the previous year to almost 8.3 million. In 1984, 30 years earlier, the total was about 4.82 million, and most people at the time thought that was a gargantuan number.

There’s no denying the economic value of so many tourists. But population growth — from tourists and residents alike — takes its toll. Have you been out in the traffic lately? How about going to Hanauma Bay or the Diamond Head summit trail? Or driving to the North Shore to see the big waves? Or going to the beach in Waikiki or even Kailua? Yesteryear’s idyllic spots aren’t quite so idyllic today.

Youth suicides deserve more attention

Grim statistics from the state Department of Health: 49 young people killed themselves in Hawaii from 2009-13, making suicide the second-leading cause of death for the 10-19 age group.

For every child that dies of suicide in Hawaii, about five are hospitalized due to a suicide attempt. About 14 youths are treated in hospital emergency rooms for self-inflicted wounds every year. The state Legislature’s bipartisan Keiki Caucus is focusing on suicide prevention in a package of bills this session, shedding light on an urgent issue.