Natural Energy Lab is valuable state asset

Recent articles discussed an audit report to the Legislature and an economic-impact report by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, focusing on the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA) facility at Keahole Point ("Under pressure," Star-Advertiser, June 11; "Natural Energy Laboratory’s tech park makes $88M impact," Star-Advertiser, June 12).

As a former NELHA board member, I was gratified the UH report focused on the facility’s central mission of facilitating the diversification and expansion of the state economy.

For a relatively modest public investment, Hawaii’s natural assets have been leveraged to attract a much larger amount of non-state federal and private dollars that positively impact the community.

Today NELHA is well positioned with its track record in nurturing alternate energy and aquaculture technologies to reap greater economic benefits by tackling the critical global issues of finding alternatives to Middle East oil and food security.

As the audit suggests, this unique facility is a challenge to manage, but well worth it.

John Corbin
Kaneohe

Young people making their mark in politics

Richard Borreca’s assessment of the younger generation is misleadin, to say the least ("Younger generation hasn’t shown up yet in isle politics," Star-Advertiser, On Politics, June 12).

Young people helped elect President Barack Obama four years ago and will to play a critical role in elections, both locally and nationally.

In fact, according to a U.S. Census Report in 2010, for the past two presidential election years, our generation (ages 18-44) combined for a 16 percent increase in the voter rate, the largest increase by any voting age group.

Locally, young people play a critical role in government and politics. We are employed at every level of government and also serve as staff for campaigns for these various offices. Additionally, numerous young people already hold elective office as well as various leadership roles in the Democratic Party of Hawaii. We are ecstatic that young Democrats Jake Bradshaw, Daniel Holt, Kaniela Ing, Takashi Ohno, Nicole Velasco and others will be on the ballot this year.

Francis H. Choe
President, Young Democrats of Hawaii

See who politicians intend to put on staff

During an election year, I try to factor in the potential appointees who might be selected to the candidate’s leadership team. These are the people who translate a vision throughout the line and staff at the operations level.

Many of us hope that sustainability plays an integral role in the mission of our elected leaders. People may be aware of the various threats to our environment. However, unless you have an urban garden, attend workshops or interface with scientists and practitioners trying to protect our water or save the honeybee, you may not know the extent of the challenges ahead.

There are active organizations and more children participating in environmental initiatives. And many more citizens poised to help save our aina.

Creating one hub may help galvanize all of the sustainability programs in government, the private sector and nonprofits through facilitative leadership at grassroots meetings and collaborative summits.

Sam Kakazu
Kaneohe

Make your living will while you still can

As we grow older and older, we face the reality of losing our parents or spouse sooner or later.

My mother became critically ill about two years ago. There was a disagreement among my siblings on whether she should endure more aggressive medical treatments or be enrolled in a hospice program.

Luckily, my mother was still alert and able to verbalize her wishes. We enrolled her in the hospice program; we took turns caring for her until she died.

I filled out the "living will" form soon after I came home from the funeral. I gave copies to my children and my doctor, so that when the moment comes, they would know exactly what to do.

Quality of life is more important than quantity of life. Palliative care and hospice programs may help people with chronically ill or dying family members with medical advice and the emotional support they need, in order to make the right decision for their loved ones.

Cecilia Graybeal
Honolulu

Nuisance dog barking not being policed

I am awakened in the early hours by the incessant barking from a pack of dogs. This is a common occurrence, even after 17 citizen complaints were filed with the Hawaiian Humane Society.

Dogs can be cute but not when their owners are inexperienced or indifferent to their noise. A dog can bark for hours as a way to relieve boredom or because he was unintentionally trained to do so. Persistent barking can make sleep a hopeless option, and lack of sleep is more than a disturbance but an impediment to survival.

Honolulu restricts leaf blowers because they are a disturbance. However, leaf blowers are predictable; they can be turned off and the noise restriction is enforced 24 hours a day by the police department.

Barking dogs are apparently immune from the noise ordinance, if the dogs’ owner and the humane society are indifferent to resolving the problem.

Wendy Len
Lower Manoa

Make rescued hikers pay for their rescue

A young visitor fell while hiking at Sacred Falls Park and required a Honolulu Fire Department rescue ("Fall hurts boy on hike in off-limits area," Star-Advertiser, June 15).

Unless all three hikers are profoundly illiterate, it can be assumed that they ignored the posted signage and warning signs.

Not only should they be cited with a meaningful penalty, they should be assessed the cost of the rescue. Since two of them are under 18, their parents should be cited and fined as they failed to supervise their children.

I get steamed every time I read about another person whose recklessness costs the state unnecessarily. And don’t forget the potential for a lawsuit for injuries sustained through some perceived negligence by the state to keep them safe.

People who choose to flout safety and the law should bear the costs of their decision. In America, it seems, the only costs that are meaningful have dollar signs attached.

Claire Yoshida
Aina Haina