ROADS IN DISREPAIR EVEN AS RAIL IS PURSUED

How can Mayor Hannemann go forward with his grand mass-transit plan when our Honolulu roadways are in such deplorable condition? There are potholes and uneven streets throughout the island, which must be due to a combination of improper materials, equipment and workmanship.

Other states such as California and Oregon have rain and snow and salt air and their roads are maintained much better than ours. We are not receiving much bang for our bucks paid to the city by vehicle registration and taxes on our gasoline.

The 'Ewa side of the top of Ward Avenue has been full of ruts and uneven pavement for years and nothing has been done. I hope some of the federal stimulus money the state receives is filtered to the city for road repaving.

STEM CELL RESEARCH

OBAMA MOVE GIVES HOPE TO MANY AILING

It's great that now we have an intelligent President Obama who can see the future for science in moving forward with embryonic stem cell research. Many people with many different health problems have their hopes increased drastically with reversing inept former President Bush's policy with the signing of embryonic stem cell research into law by President Obama. Many people who are waiting for vital organ transplants, like kidneys, livers, hearts and other parts, have a better chance of their organs being fixed rather than a need for a transplant. Too many people are dying waiting for an available transplant.

Embryonic stem cells also can help others with spinal cord injuries so they can walk again, gives hope to people with ALS, Alzheimer's, paralysis from a stroke (like mine), side effects from chemo and radiation treatments to cancer patients and many others. Does this offset those pro-life who are against embryonic stem cells for a moral reason?

Bet these people are all normal and don't have someone close that makes them feel this way. Let's all have compassion and help those who could use the help as soon as possible.

PUBLIC SAFETY

WILL LEGISLATORS CARE ENOUGH TO GET TOUGH?

Will we have a "do nothing" Legislature again this year? What will our caring lawmakers do about the safety of its people on these issues?

The Legislature has done nothing about the unenforceable laws on fireworks in the past. A complete ban is the only answer.

Issue No. 2: Drivers on cell phones are as bad as drunks. Why wait for a fatality when it can be avoided? Banning the use of cell phones while driving is the only solution.

Issue No. 3: With seat belt laws, how do the lawmakers allow drivers to get away with carrying unbelted passengers in their pickup beds? Four adult women were thrown out and killed in 2006 in Kunia. A total ban is needed.

Issue No. 4: Is domestic violence out of control? Women and children have been victims for years and the laws are as weak as the lawmakers. Restraining orders don't work and many deaths have occurred.

Election time will be coming up and that will be the time to remember: Did they really care?

PRO BOWL

PRE-SUPER BOWL TIMING COULD BE A HUGE PLUS

I read with interest that one of HTA's concerns in originally declining the NFL's Pro Bowl offer was the fact that the NFL plans on playing the Pro Bowl before the Super Bowl. It seems to me that with just a little foresight, having the Pro Bowl before the Super Bowl would be a huge plus for Hawai'i tourism and our Island economy.

We could market Pro Bowl/ Super Bowl visitor packages. The HTA working with local merchants, particularly hotels and restaurants, could sell the idea of visiting Hawai'i for the Pro Bowl and staying through showings of the Super Bowl. We could have big screen events (like HIFF Academy Awards show or Sunset on the Beach) that actually make watching the Super Bowl more like being at the Super Bowl.

Maybe we could work something out with the NFL and Pro Bowl players so that some of them stay through the Super Bowl and become a part of the whole package.

This could become a premier event if we handle it correctly and don't squander the opportunity.

ACT 221

TECHNOLOGY INCENTIVES HAVE PUMPED UP ECONOMY

The logic of restricting or eliminating tax incentives for Hawai'i's fast-growing high-tech sector escapes me. Unlike a myriad of other tax credits, high-tech investment credits are an economic stimulus creating good jobs and diversifying the economy. This helps limit our state's risk exposure to whims of tourists and property developers.

Act 221 represents only a third of all tax credits offered by the state. Most of these credits are creating an incentive for individuals or companies to do something they should be doing anyway, like installing car seats for children or renovating hotel properties. None of those do much to promote economic growth or generate tax revenues.

Hawai'i companies benefitting from Act 221 have spent $1.4 billion in the economy in the past seven years, paid GET taxes and paid average salaries above $70,000 to employees who pay income taxes and spend money in our economy.

Hawai'i's tech sector is growing faster than the tech sector on the Mainland. It's outperforming other sectors of Hawai'i's economy as well, including tourism.

Point four of Gov. Lingle's economic recovery program is to bring more investment dollars into the state, especially for renewable energy companies.

Act 221 has been proven to do this. Kaheawa Wind Farm in Maui is an example.