Looking back at 2017

This year, we are embarking on the ninth year of Better Hawai’i. I would like to thank all of you, Better Hawai’i readers, for following my blog or just stopping by now and again to read or post a comment. I know that there are so many other things you could be doing, and I appreciate any time you spend thinking about making Hawai‘i and ourselves better.

Looking back on 2017, here are five posts about the local issues and ideas that affected me.

Health. “Full circle about single-payer health insurance” (February 21, 2017)
I was beguiled by the idea of single-payer health insurance, until I realized that the single-payer would be a government payer. I’ve come full circle, skeptical that single-payer health insurance would be an improvement over our current healthcare system.

Community. “Benefits of joining a nonprofit board” (May 16, 2017)
Share your skills. You may have “hidden strengths” that are unrelated to your current job or may have big ideas that don’t fit with your current job position, boss, or company. By volunteering for committees and programs, you have more opportunities to share your skills or explore new talents. Board experience can make a difference to the community and your career too.

Economy. “A two minimum wage proposal” (June 13, 2017)
Rather than debating the value of the minimum wage, I would like to propose that we create two categories of wages: minimum wages and minimum living wages. The minimum wage would be the lowest wage that entry-level, unskilled employees earn. It means that businesses could limit their up-front investment in an employee who will only be temporary. The minimum living wage would be the lowest wage for more experienced, skilled employees who have worked part-time or full-time for an business for over one year. It would put into law the current practice of offering employees raises during annual performance reviews.

 Government. “Reimagining the Neighborhood Board” (August 15, 2017)
…What I strongly support is the monthly neighborhood meetings, rather than the Neighborhood Board itself… We could change the focus from a “Board” to a “Forum” completely. We could keep the monthly “Town Hall” meetings with City Councilmembers, State Senators, State Representatives, and representatives from the Mayor’s Office, Police Department, and Fire Department, but instead of Board members, elect “Community Coordinators” who would organize and run meetings.

 Education. “Success and the well-balanced student” (October 10, 2017)
It’s the kid, not the school. Success is not a straight line, from grade school to college to a good job to happiness, Dr. Pope declared. Attending a “good” school and getting a “good” job will not guarantee happiness or success. Rather, success is a meandering path, with unexpected turns and setbacks, and there is no one path to success that fits everyone. So we need to redefine what success means.

 What are your highlights from 2017? What local issues and ideas affected you last year, and what do you hope to focus on this year?

 

Clipart courtesy of MyCuteGraphics.com.

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