Yes, there are a few unhappy messages about Hawaii teens in the latest Hawaii Youth Risk Behavior Survey — including the indicators that unhappiness is common. That may not surprise many people, reflecting on how difficult teen years can seem, but it is concerning.

But not all the news is bad, comparatively speaking. For example: Isle youths are less likely than the national average to carry a weapon. Gun laws here are surely at the root of this statistic.

They also were less likely to be in a physical fight or to be smoking cigarettes. Yes, they vape, but not out of line with the national figures.

The state comparisons can be made here: www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/results.htm — check it out. And cheer up.

Construction workers should prepare for downturn

The jobs from Hawaii’s current boom in construction are an economic gift (setting aside the costs of rail construction rising as a result).

For the workers themselves, there can be no complaints about the high hourly rates, plus fringe benefits such as 401(k) plans.

The only economic downside to a boom, of course, is that it eventually does go bust. So like the old Aesop’s Fable about the ant and the grasshopper, it would be advisable for laborers to earn while the money is there, and make contingency plans for when it dries up.