MELE KALIKIMAKA — GOOD HEALTH AND HAPPINESS TO ALL

It is with bright optimism for the future that we wish all Hawai'i residents and visitors a joyous and relaxing holiday season.

In Hawai'i, we are privileged to have a host culture where 'ohana encompasses not just one's immediate family, but the larger community of friends, neighbors and colleagues around us.

Throughout 2007, the people of Hawai'i demonstrated a remarkable commitment to helping others. Whether sending care packages to our Hawai'i-based soldiers fighting overseas, collecting food for the hungry or homeless, or donating toys so every child receives a gift during the holidays, our residents continue to show their aloha for each other every day. For this we are truly blessed.

For those members of our 'ohana unable to afford housing, three new shelters have been opened on O'ahu that have helped hundreds of people successfully transition into permanent housing, while two new shelters opened on Kaua'i.

The community has also stepped forward in extraordinary ways, donating meals, clothing and necessities.

We also are united in celebrating the tremendous success of the University of Hawai'i football team as they head to their first BCS game on New Year's Day. Their focus, perseverance and unity of purpose led to the accomplishment of an incredible goal and inspired residents across the state.

This holiday season, we are especially grateful for the men and women serving in the military who, together with their families, sacrifice so much to secure a better life for people worldwide. We pray for the continued safety of those deployed. We also express our deepest sympathies to the families of members of the armed forces who made the ultimate sacrifice this year in defense of our freedom.

As we celebrate the holidays and look forward to the opportunities in the new year ahead, we wish you and your family peace, good health and happiness.

Mele Kalikimaka a me ka Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!

MAY SPIRIT OF HOLIDAYS GUIDE OUR THOUGHTS

Our Islands and our nation welcome Christmas as a joyous and uplifting reminder of the triumph of faith, hope and love over darkness and suffering.

This day celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and his message of brotherhood and goodwill. It is significant that this message has reached every corner of the world, to lands far from the place of his humble birth. It is gratifying that his words and his spirit live in the hearts of people of different cultures and myriad customs and languages. And it is comforting that this celebration of his life continues to inspire people throughout an often-troubled world.

May those of us touched by these blessings offer our hopes and prayers that the tradition of Christmas goodwill, peace and brotherhood will be celebrated by all people, and that we let the spirit of the holidays guide our thoughts and deeds in all the days to come.

Gail joins me in wishing you a Mele Kalikimaka.

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS TO MILITARY PERSONNEL

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our men and women serving in the military. Many of them are in the war zone, and still many more are away from their homes during this holiday season.

Thank you for all you do for your country. Though you and your families are far from home, I pray the warmth of our Hawaiian sun will warm your hearts and help you to enjoy your Christmas and New Year's.

Wishing you a Mele Kalikimaka and Hau'oli Makahiki Hou! God bless and mahalo.

GRATEFUL FOR SACRIFICE OF OUR ARMED FORCES

We want to thank all the military personnel who have been, are or are going to be involved in protecting our country.

We are all one; you are our sons and daughters. You have made us feel safe.
You have our deepest gratitude for your involvement and our deepest regrets for all who have been lost.

Your sacrifices are recognized, and our love is with you. Our prayers are with you.
You have made us all feel safe. You make America proud.

God bless and thank you.

GOVERNMENT

IS CITY REALLY SERVING OUR BETTER INTERESTS?

The Dec. 15 Advertiser read "Property value drops 2.7%," pointing out that tax increases may be necessary.

The county received one of the biggest cash windfalls ever when property values and assessments went up approximately 30 percent. Even now, we remain in a windfall situation as property values remain high. Remember how we were looking for a way to give back all this extra money to the taxpayers? Where's the money now?

Maybe it's being set aside to help pay for the elevated rail, which, although ecologically attractive, will do little to alleviate our traffic problems, so the experts say.

Now we're left with a growing traffic nightmare, no new highways planned, streets littered with potholes and excess tax revenues that have apparently disappeared.

It seems whenever you study our government's performance, many irregularities and questions tend to surface. Are our better interests really being served? I pose one likely answer: "No." Translated, that really means: "All you car owners — take a hike, or ride the rail when it's completed in 2035."

What can the average person do to get the city to fix the things that need to be fixed? Anyone have an answer?

BE THANKFUL

UNHAPPY FANS NEED TO PUT WOES IN CONTEXT

I have only one thing to say to those University of Hawai'i fans who are moaning about getting end zone seats to the Sugar Bowl: Be thankful.

To hear you complain about your situation is like hearing a child throw a temper tantrum because he didn't get what he wanted for Christmas.

Be thankful you were able to get tickets, rooms, airfare and ground transportation. Be thankful you have thousands of dollars to spend on such a luxury. Be thankful you will be cheering on the UH Warrior football team.

But most of all, be thankful that you can do this.

Remember, there are hundreds of families who would love to have your travel money to get presents for their kids this holiday season. Or to get off the beach and live with a roof over their heads. Or to have a hot meal. Or to — well, you get the idea. Be thankful!

HECO

ALL ELECTRIC LINES MUST BE PUT UNDERGROUND

HECO needs to start putting our electrical lines underground. We have been extremely lucky not to have lost many lives due to recent pole failures.

The people of Wai'anae should be outraged at the long delay to restore power, and rather than be satisfied with an apology, should demand a safer and more reliable delivery system.

Not only are above-ground poles prone to collapse during high winds, but they also present a collision hazard to motorists. Above-ground poles and wiring contribute to our all-too-frequent electrical outages, and ruin our urban and rural views.

Take a ride on any older neighborhood street and tell me these overhead wires don't interfere with your enjoyment of our beautiful neighborhoods and landscapes.

Hawai'i should remove these relics of our territorial heritage and join the modern world. We have been lucky not to have any major hurricanes or wind storms hit O'ahu, but we can't count on luck forever.

Any sustained high-wind events will lead to the widespread collapse of our antiquated distribution system.

HECO, the state, the city, neighborhoods and individuals will all have to contribute to make this a reality. It's long overdue.

COLT BRENNAN

OTHER GRADUATES ALSO DESERVED COVERAGE

I was pleased to read the article in the Dec. 17 Advertiser about Colt Brennan the graduate, but was quickly disappointed The Advertiser did not use the opportunity to highlight other impressive new graduates.

While Colt's message about receiving his degree (his biggest highlight) was wonderful, I personally would have loved to learn about a few additional students who also had success and left a mark while at UH — through volunteering, through leadership opportunities or through scholastic diligence.

Otherwise, the message to our kids might be that there is a singular route to community recognition and success — through athletics.

I'm sure each department would have gladly nominated a student or two who has made an impact while at UH and who, like Colt, has a bright future ahead of him or her. What a missed opportunity!

Make a difference. Donate to The Advertiser Christmas Fund.