ROOSEVELT HIGH

COMMUNITY PITCHED IN TO PAINT BLEACHERS

With its new football field and track nearing completion, Roosevelt High School realized that the peeling and faded concrete bleachers would potentially detract from the project's overall splendor. So Roosevelt contacted Hawaii 3R's, and in less than a month (and in time for graduation), the bleachers were painted.

Although the painting of the bleachers by Hawaii 3R's was a relatively small part of the overall project, it really illustrated the amount of support the community has for its schools.

On the morning of Saturday, May 17, 70 volunteers from seven organizations, including HECO, Central Pacific Bank, UBS Financial Services, the U.S. Pacific Command, Referentia Systems, Roteract and Roosevelt High School students, painted the bleachers.

The painting of the bleachers was also successful due to MShiroma Construction, which provided prep work and painting that the volunteers would have been unable to do due to lack of time and expertise.

Additionally, MShiroma provided training and supervision for the volunteers.

Thanks to these community-minded organizations, the freshly painted bleachers now enhance the new football field and track.

TOBACCO

LEGISLATORS SHOULD ADDRESS TEEN SMOKING

Every day, you see people smoking. The lesser known problem is flavored tobacco. I know some people who smoke and chew both flavored and regular tobacco, and they sometimes pressure me to join in.

Some places sell tobacco to teenagers my age, and that is illegal.

More than 90 percent of smokers began smoking while they were teenagers.

House Bill 2934 would have prohibited the use of tobacco products by minors. The bill also would have required a minor to complete a tobacco use cessation program, perform community service, and have his or her driver's license revoked for one year if in violation.

The bill was deferred in February.

This problem is affecting teenagers and their families.

I ask you to notify your senator or representative to pass this bill next session.

Thank you for your time, and I hope you take some time and think about this.

ENERGY CRISIS

AMERICANS TOO QUICK TO LOOK FOR EASY FIXES

It took more than $50 to fill my modest Chevy with gas last week, and I am hopping mad.

I am mad at our politicians, especially the U.S. Congress. Instead of fostering a progressive, orderly and practical long-range energy strategy, it has offered nothing but "feel good" solutions and has relied on blaming Big Oil.

But most of all, I am mad at the rest of you. Politicians only mirror your selfishness and feed upon your call for easy fixes.

As result, we have not built a refinery in more than 50 years (NIMBY), prevented drilling offshore (do you think Nigeria gives a hoot about environmental safeguards in their offshore rigs?), put ANWAR on a sacred pedestal and put lopsided faith in biofuels (starving millions elsewhere as result).

As we approach the general election, I see more of the same coming from the candidates. All is not lost for me, however, as my Exxon stock is doing just fine, thank you.

CAMPAIGN

OBAMA'S WIFE IS NOT EXEMPT FROM CRITICISM

Sen. Barack Obama must accept the fact that spouses of presidential candidates are legitimate subjects of public discussion and are not exempt from such discussions.

Obama complained and whined recently on ABC Good Morning America that campaign criticism of his wife, Michelle, was unacceptable. Yet, Mrs. Obama has been an active speaker on his behalf on the campaign trail.

Her comments have often been harsh and critical of our country, and she should not be immune from criticism.

FISH FARMING

AQUACULTURE SHOULD BE CLOSELY MONITORED

The May 24 BusinessToday section noted that Kona Blue's aquaculture-raised Kona Kampachi (aka, yellowtail, kahala or amberjack), received a middle rating of "Good Alternative" from the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch program.

Yet, even with the over-fishing of many species worldwide, it is still imperative that we approach open ocean fish-farming ventures with great caution.

Aquaculture must be closely monitored for issues such as feed source (often wild fish, depleting resources for other species), escapes, spread of disease, entanglements with growing populations of humpback whales and trade deficit. Most U.S. aquaculture products are exported, while most of the fish we eat are imported.

Kona Blue recently moved its offices to San Francisco to be closer to primary markets. It is also questionable whether such ventures can be profitable without government subsidies.

It will be wise for Hawai'i residents to be vigilant as upcoming legislation may open federal waters and marine protected areas to aquaculture operations.

Just as a rush to biofuels unveiled many hidden impacts not readily seen, the potential of aquaculture should be closely watched to assure it is the right fit for Hawai'i's environment and economy.