GRADUATES

CONGRATULATIONS, ALOHA TO ALL IN CLASS OF 2008

On behalf of the people of Hawai'i, we send our personal greetings of aloha to the graduating Class of 2008. You have worked diligently to accomplish this goal, and we congratulate you on your success.

As you prepare to begin a new phase in your lives, whether it be continuing your education or entering the work force, we hope you will remember that every experience presents an opportunity to grow as a person and achieve your aspirations. Through the steps you take in your education and as a valuable member of the community, you will determine what kind of state — and world — we have in the future.

In addition to growing academically, you have learned important life lessons in school that will stay with you for the rest of your lives. For this reason, we encourage you to keep a special place in your heart for your family, teachers, coaches and mentors who have guided you throughout your education career.

We are excited to join your friends and family in honoring you on this momentous occasion. Congratulations and best wishes for success in all your future endeavors!

DRUG CONTROL PLAN

AIONA HAS TAKEN STRONG APPROACH TO DRUG FIGHT

As Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona's state drug control liaison, I would like to set the record straight in response to The Ho-nolulu Advertiser's assertion in its May 18 article, "Aiona sets sights on 2010 campaign at convention," that the Hawai'i Drug Control Plan lacked focus and was largely dismissed by Democrats and many in the drug-treatment community.

The lieutenant governor could put his time and energy into self-promotion and trumpeting the many successes of the drug control plan, but his focus and direction has been squarely on producing results for the people of Hawai'i.

Lt. Gov. Aiona has taken a comprehensive and collaborative approach from the beginning, dedicating resources across several departments and continuing to work with the federal government, Legislature, county and city governments, the law-enforcement community, healthcare community, nonprofit organizations, community partners and dedicated individuals.

He led our state's efforts to secure an unprecedented level of funding for drug-control programs, and the vast majority of community service providers in our state will tell you he has taken a hands-on approach to do everything within his authority to aid them in their efforts.

Combating illicit drug use in our state is a difficult and often thankless job that requires constant focus and continued vigilance.

TRANSIT

CITY MUST CONSIDER EFFECT OF OIL PRICES

In the business section of the May 21 New York Times, Arjun N. Murti, a respected analyst at Goldman Sachs, predicted crude oil will be more than $200 a barrel before the end of the year.

At that price, gasoline will cost more than $6 a gallon.

Anyone who thinks the economy of this state can take that kind of hit is living in dream world.

The City Council and the mayor need to step back and take a long, hard look at just what is down the road for this island. At $6 a gallon, they may rest assured there will be no traffic congestion on this island.

Nor can people who are unemployed pay taxes. With air fares going through the ceiling and airlines piling on every extra charge they can, tourism is going to be the first to feel the pain.

The price of electricity, which is now almost unaffordable, will be out of reach of many island residents. The effect of increasing prices for oil is already having a ripple effect throughout the state economy. I doubt one can name one aspect of the state economy that will not be affected by the price of oil.

I predicted to the City Council several years ago what the effects would be when gasoline reached $4 a gallon. Well, the future is here. So what does it think about it?

And here it is planning to spend billions of dollars on a fixed guideway that will be obsolete before it is ever finished, if it gets built at all.

I wonder if it feels as if there is an elephant in the room. If it doesn't, it needs to look around the room.

TRIBUTE

EVERLY CHAMPIONED HOMEGROWN TEACHERS

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Hubert Everly.

Hugh Everly was my role model, mentor and friend. He was the "jolly green giant" (dean of the University of Hawai'i College of Education) who opened the doors of Wist Hall for local kids seeking to be educators.

In the mid-'70s, Dr. Everly knew Hawai'i's teachers were ready for the national scene, and like a big brother he stepped aside as the national director, gave me his blessing and helped me win my election to the board of the National Education Association.

That election opened many doors and was the first step of my years of service at the national level, which included being the first Asian-American elected to serve on the executive board of the NEA.

Over the years, I learned Dr. Everly's brand of politics and marveled at his perseverance as a retired educator to promote public education and to continuously advocate for the needs and benefits of retired public employees.

In 2000, when Dr. Everly chose not to seek re-election as a trustee for the state Employees' Retirement System, I was deeply honored to receive his trust and support, and that of hundreds of his supporters, to serve as an elected trustee of the ERS.

I am deeply humbled that my past accomplishments and much of who I am today are because of Hugh Everly. He will always be a part of my happy memories.

EARTH'S RESOURCES

AMERICANS COULD EACH DO MORE BY USING LESS

It is becoming increasingly clear that the Earth cannot sustain our continuous overindulgence in its resources.

We have grown to be a culture that figures out how much we can get away with instead of how little we can get by with.

From eating supersized meals, to driving gas-guzzling cars, to living in big homes and using lots of water and electricity, we tend to overdo it. By and large, I think we are relatively unaware how much we have and use.

While living in Kenya and serving in the Peace Corps, I saw how little most people survive on and what ingenious use they made of "trash." For example, they cut up metal cans to collect rain water from their roofs and fashioned sandals from discarded tires.

I greatly appreciate our comforts and abundance, but am dismayed at how much we waste. I wish we could load up Matson ships with all the extra stuff we accumulate for garage sales and donate it to needy countries. If clever, we could decrease the burden to our landfills.

If each of us does his or her own part to cut consumption, donate to others and share resources in the spirit of aloha, the whole world would be more sustainable.

Let's do more by using less.

PEDESTRIANS, DRIVERS

TRAIN PEOPLE TO OBEY TRAFFIC REGULATIONS

Humans need training just like dogs and other animals.

Humans, like other animals, are trained by consequences and approval.

Right now, pedestrians and drivers are being trained incorrectly because there is no police presence and no tickets. Every day, pedestrians are jay-walking and walking against the light.

Every day, drivers are running red lights, making U-turns in the middle of the block and going through intersections when pedestrians are walking in the crosswalk. All these illegal actions are occurring with no consequences and tacit approval because there is no police presence.

No consequences means the bad behavior will continue.

Perhaps it's time for a transit police force, especially in light of the approaching rail transit system. These transit police would be responsible for enforcing the traffic laws not enforced by our regular police force. In addition, once the rail line is running — assuming it becomes a reality — they will patrol the rail stations training those humans how to act in a responsible and law-abiding manner.

Proper early training goes a long way toward having a happy commute.