Take a walk to celebrate Earth Day

It was 44 years ago today that Earth Day was first celebrated, launching an awareness and education for environmental protectionism that has grown over the decades and spread with observances across some 192 countries.

Governments and corporations must be held to practices that safeguard our natural environment, for the sake of today and future generations. Reducing harmful emissions, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and transitioning to recyclables and renewables are major roles for the major players.

But there’s also much that individuals can do. Walk, bike or share a ride to reduce fuel consumption; use eco-friendly light bulbs and appliances; participate in stream and beach cleanups; plant a tree to raise "green" awareness and appreciation. Every little bit adds up to a lot.

Patience, please: H-1 in final phase of makeover

It’s begun again, this time in the eastbound direction. A stretch of H-1 through a key part of town will be closed, between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., Sunday night through Thursday morning over the next week or two.

Between the Likelike offramp and the onramp from Liliha Street, the construction crews will have half the freeway. There will be partial closures going Ewa, too.

The state cheerfully calls this the "final phase," but it’s a doozy. The state is actually adding width to the "Palama Separation," the elevated part that rises over Vineyard Boulevard, where the concrete forms are visible.

It’s all been a pain, but considering that vehicles will be barreling over this fresh road surface, we do want them to do a good, careful job.