MILITARY PROGRAM

HICKAM HELPS TO CURB IRRESPONSIBLE DRINKING

Some 120 college presidents are leading an effort called the Amethyst Initiative to lower the legal drinking age to 18, thinking it will curb binge drinking on campuses.

Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Evan Hoapili has noted that whenever this issue comes up, people invariably circle back to the argument that if you are old enough to fight for your country, you are old enough to drink.

Hoapili notes that rarely does this argument come from those who serve. Military leadership knows firsthand that alcohol hinders physical and mental preparation and sustained readiness for future combat. It works against the ability of leaders, families and healthcare providers to support those recovering from post-combat injuries and stress.

Hoapili is founder of the 0-0-1-3 campaign launched at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming in 2005 to send the message that irresponsible drinking threatens mission readiness and jeopardizes careers. The numbers stand for four limits on alcohol: zero underage drinking, if you are 21 or over, zero drunken-driving arrests, and one drink an hour, no more than three per night for those who do imbibe.

Hickam Air Force Base is one of four bases in the country taking part in a three-year pilot program to curb underage drinking and raise awareness of alcohol issues through education on base and the surrounding community, using the 0-0-1-3 model.

By partnering with the local community and on base, 0-0-1-3 can help to reduce underage drinking in our state and serve as a model for community action across our nation. Those are numbers worth fighting for.

NIMITZ HIGHWAY

WHY WERE COCONUT TREES PUT IN MEDIAN?

There must be a tree-trimming lobby at work in the Legislature. The reason I believe this is the crazy planting of coconut trees in the median of Nimitz Highway.

Coconut trees have to constantly be trimmed of coconuts and fronds so they don't fall on cars passing below. And when they do the trimming, they'll be blocking the left lanes in both directions on Nimitz, making traffic just as bad as now when they are putting them in, only it'll be a couple times a year forever.

The only explanation is that there is a tree-trimming lobby in the state that went for job security. Auwe!

ALOHA

COMPADRES STEPPED UP TO HELP COMMUNITY

Hawai'i's Compadres Bar and Grill closed Sept. 26, but memories and examples that owner Rick Enos established here for charitable giving over the past 24 years live on.

The walls of Compadres restaurants were adorned with photos of many charity events ,and the media covered hundreds of such events over many years.

A test-for-success that Compadres scored "perfect" on was being there first for community, patrons and employees and putting it before profit.

It's a wonderful business philosophy, but it only works if patrons keep coming through the door. Business survives with patronage. Charities survive with contributors.

We should patronize the businesses that continue to help charitable causes — even in these challenging economic times.

Mahalo, Compadres, for all you did for our community. We miss you and we will never forget you.

Aloha 'oe,

PRESIDENTIAL RACE

CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY MCCAIN CHOSE PALIN

I can't fully comprehend the reasoning behind Sen. John McCain's selection of Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska as his running mate.

Until he chose her, I really thought McCain would be a legitimate opposition against Sen. Barack Obama. Now I dread the day that McCain is president of the U.S. with Palin at his side.

Barack Obama's choice as his running mate is much more practical and rational.

PALIN JUST A SHADOW OF PREVIOUS VP NOMINEES

Mr. Larry Symons' letter to the editor on Sept. 23 claims Sarah Palin is more qualified than many VP nominees, and he cites those with less political experience. Below is a more complete view of these individuals.