HOLIDAYS

JOINING IN HOPE, DEEDS FOR PROMISING FUTURE

As we gather together with friends and ohana, let us reflect upon the past year as we make preparations to welcome 2010. Those of us who call Hawaii home are grateful to live in a beautiful island paradise where sharing the spirit of aloha comes naturally.

It is also important to remember those in our community who are most in need. It is inspiring to see the generosity displayed by the people of Hawaii to help one another.

In addition, we encourage everyone to remember our men and women in uniform who have sacrificed time away from their families to serve our nation.

Although our administration's remaining time in office is relatively short, we assure you that we will push hard to continue making progress until the last minute of the last hour of our last day.

Working with a collective sense of responsibility, we will achieve a promising future.

By continuing to transform our economy, with a focus on education, energy, tourism and international relations we will ensure Hawaii remains a global leader for the 21st century.

Let the spirit of the holidays be a joyous reminder to come together in hope and appreciation for our families and neighbors. We wish you the very best during this special time of year. Mele Kalikimaka a me ka Hauoli Makahiki Hou.

LINDA LINGLE | Governor, state of Hawaii

JAMES R. "DUKE" AIONA JR.| Lieutenant governor, state of Hawaii

SEASON OF ALOHA

HOLIDAYS OFFER US A TIME FOR REFLECTION, FRIENDSHIP

The holiday season gives us occasion to reflect on our many blessings, to pledge our respect for the dignity of all people, and to renew our hope that peace and goodwill shall prevail in this world.

It's a time to enjoy special moments with loved ones, to bask in friendship and cheer, and to put aside our problems and greet the New Year with optimism. Our customs and traditions reflect the traditions of our Islands and the diversity of our people; the timeless spirit of aloha and the infusions of those who have made this special place their home.

For many of our neighbors, the holidays are a time of keenly felt separation from loved ones who serve our nation in troubled lands far from our shores. To them, I offer my prayers that peace and joy will prevail, and that sons and daughters, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, will soon return safely to their homes and families.

Gail and I wish you and yours a Mele Kalikimaka and Hauoli Makahiki Hou. May this Christmas be a joyous one for all, and may the coming year be a great one.

MAYOR MUFI HANNEMANN | City and County of Honolulu

FORT WEAVER ROAD

EXPANSION WORKERS DOING FANTASTIC JOB

I want to congratulate all the men and women working on the expansion of Fort Weaver Road.

They are doing an exceptional job, and I am proud of their accomplishments.

They are finishing in a timely manner and I love the beautification they have also done in the median.

May God forever bless them for their hard work. I enjoy telling them how well they are doing and complimenting them as I walk the area.

Well done, my lovely men and women on that crew. I wish I could give them a huge raise for Christmas.

Merry Christmas, every one of you.

YVONNE L. ANDERSON | Ewa Beach

VOLUNTEERING

MAKING A DIFFERENCE DOESN'T GO UNNOTICED

Last Saturday, a Habitat for Humanity home in the Hawaiian homeland area in Waimānalo was finally turned over to the new Hawaiian homeowners after about six months of construction — and just in time for the holiday season.

During the Ne family's thanks to those in attendance, they began by expressing their heartfelt appreciation to the many military volunteers who helped throughout the construction process and were impressed that they helped without expecting anything in return. He then thanked other community members for their help.

He finished up by once again thanking the many military volunteers and was deeply appreciative to those in the military who serve overseas in harm's way to protect the freedoms we enjoy — the local community absolutely notices volunteers who strive to make a difference.

Now is a great time to help make someone's holidays more memorable.

Now is also a great time to begin formulating a New Year's resolution to help those in need during the coming year.

Volunteerhawaii.org is a great local Web site to help you get started, because it lists hundreds of volunteer opportunities throughout Hawaii.

FURLOUGHS

LEADERS CAN HELP MIRACLES HAPPEN

The most important gift we could all have in these trying times, is for our children to get back to a normal routine in school come January.

These four groups (governor, HSTA, DOE and BOE) should have been meeting daily to find a solution. This is such a serious issue, yet all they do is point fingers at each other and say the other one is not cooperating. Enough! Come together, show the Islands there can be a miracle and help us get the children back in school.

The children want to learn, the teachers want to teach, the parents have spoken out, the U.S. government has spoken; now it is up to you to stand up, grow up and make a miracle happen. Imagine the impact you could make and how it would help show the spirit of the season and the aloha spirit that makes our state so wonderful. Please help and come together. Find a solution that works for all — especially the children.

LIZ KINSLER | Kailua