Letters to the Editor

A world-class concept still hasn't been found

Your editor should first have read Pat Leilani Young's "City streets losing views of mountains and sea"; then it might have been more obvious that the Kaka'ako concept is not world class but traditional Hawai'i corruption at work.

A world-class architect or developer would be aware that people pay thousands of dollars to come to Hawai'i and take photos of themselves with Diamond Head in the background.

A world-class developer would put those 2,500 covered parking spaces on the 'ewa side and cultivated the diamondhead side with, at the very least, a promenade, sidewalk cafes to rival the Champs Elysees, and perhaps an 8th wonder of the world wedding chapel so tourists would flock there to get those treasured keepsake photos with the harbor, Ala Moana Beach Park and Diamond Head in the background.

Rico Leffanta

Provide free fluoride to children at school

I am dismayed by the low level of consciousness of those who promote water fluoridation as the only solution to the acknowledged chronic tooth-decay problem in Hawai'i.

Proponents' advertisements try to make people feel guilty as being unkind to children if we oppose their scheme. Following their logic, we should add aspirin to the water to prevent arterial clogging, insulin to the water to assist diabetics, and so on.

I would suggest that a cooperative effort be made between the Hawai'i Dental Association and the Department of Education's on-site medically trained personnel to provide free fluoride treatments, with the consent of parents. That way, children will obtain benefits, but those of us who are no longer children and for whom fluoridation may produce adverse reaction will be left out of the loop and avoid potential risk.

Jon D. Olsen

Teachers should be more realistic

The HSTA response to Gov. Cayetano's March 28 television presentation left much to be desired. Specifically:

• Why is the cost of living being factored in for teacher salaries only? Everyone living in Hawai'i is affected, not only teachers.
• The HSTA's Karen Ginoza stated at least five times that money was not the issue in current negotiations. If money is not a factor, why are teachers ready to strike?
• Teachers are not the only ones who put in long hours or extra effort, for these are the hallmarks of most dedicated professionals.
• The HSTA has failed to disclose that the state's retirement package is one of the best in the nation. Proof of this was the return of several HPD officers who left Hawai'i for "better-paying" jobs. They discovered their retirement benefits left much to be desired.
• Teachers are paid for 180 days of classroom instruction, or approximately nine months. During this "summer vacation," they can improve their professional status if they so desire.
• Finally, how can a 22 percent pay increase make them better teachers? Does this mean that they are now performing at 78 percent efficiency?

If they are truly concerned about the students, then the teachers should negotiate in good faith and make their demands more realistic.

Lloyd Y.S. Kim
Retired teacher

Park, beach areas are looking great

Having just returned from a two-week stay in Waikiki, we felt compelled to send the employees of the City and County of Honolulu this open letter:

What a fantastic job Honolulu has done with the main Kapi'olani Park area, including the hand-laid sidewalk tiles at Kuhio Beach. Having travelled to many vacation spots around the world, we have never seen a better job done of keeping a public place so pristine and maintained.

Pass on our thanks to the many gardeners and street sweepers (unbelievably done by hand) that their efforts are appreciated. Keep up the good work.

Marlene and Jim Carver
Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada

School system must be decentralized

Five years ago, I took time off from the Department of Education and did subcontract work in construction. My main contract during this respite was the State Capitol renovation.

During the final stages of the project, while on the top floor Executive Level, I would end each day by watching the sunset from the governor's chair until the other subs cleared out.

What I came to realize during these nightly sessions was how bureaucratic that government and, with it, education have become. My respite was from the system and structure, not the vigor and needs of the students.

We really need to examine and decentralize our single school district system, which has one school board and one major funding source for 200-plus public schools.

Until some leader or group undertakes this mission, the maladies of the DOE will continue.

Samuel Kakazu Jr.
Kane'ohe