100 reasons to keep Pro Bowl in Hawaii

It took a while for the action to heat up, but Sunday’s Pro Bowl game in Hawaii turned into a relatively decent game — and a lot of fun to boot.

The all-stars, who were thrilled to be in Hawaii, were often seen smiling, even as they got tackled (gently, for the most part) or, on the flip side, achieved one of the many touchdowns scored in the game.

The game’s 100-point total was, in fact, the second-highest Pro Bowl point total (behind 107 in 2004). The athletes’ widespread playfulness probably was a major reason the game held its viewership on NBC to an average 12.5 million during the four-hour slot, the second-most watched Pro Bowl in 12 years. So, tell us again, NFL, why is there a problem about bringing the Pro Bowl back to Hawaii next year?

Keeping biosafety lab at an arms length

It’s too soon to re-evaluate the project based on its new location — Kalaeloa, instead of Kakaako — because the initial environmental study hasn’t been done yet. But the University of Hawaii’s preliminary proposal for a $47.5 million biosafety laboratory at the former Barbers Point Naval Air Station seems promising, based on its more appropriate site alone.

The lab is being built to enable early detection of dangerous diseases from the Asia-Pacific region. It would be ideal if some tie-in could be found with the developing UH-West Oahu campus, a short distance away.