Letters to the Editor

Let Hawai'i's students learn about creation

Do students have a say in the creationism debate?

If these adults I read about don't want creationism taught in public schools, then why? They are not the learners. Are they so worried about us and their tax dollars? No, they don't want change. They're afraid. For students? No, for themselves.

As long as the theory of evolution is taught, creationism should be taught also. I don't know what school was like in the older days, but now it's a place of learning. Undiscriminatory learning.

Dayna Wong
High school student

Perhaps Hawai'i's young can oust Democrats

I congratulate young Kevin Grigsby on his astute and precocious observations regarding the pathetic, inexplicable and decades-long Democratic grip on the State of Hawai'i (Island Voices, July 27).

I have lived here twice as long as Kevin has been alive, and the insidious Democratic machine has been in virtual dominance for more than my 35 years in residence.

A bipartisan decision-making process would be of immeasurable value in Hawai'i, where we stagnate due to the status quo mentality, while the rest of the country flourishes by comparison. Indeed, Hawai'i's political system is a "disgrace."

Let us, Kevin, no longer accept the status quo. At your age, perhaps you and your peers can change Hawai'i government for the better, before I leave this world. God knows my generation could not, likely due to perceived comfort and, more likely, apathy.

Again, I congratulate Grigsby for his concern and thoughtfulness. I am encouraged that not all of the young people in our modern society are apathetic.

Imua, Kevin.

M. Gilleland
Punalu'u

Volunteering can give you an amazing feeling

Kudos to Libby Yee of California for her letter about the entrance fee at Hanauma Bay. It is probably my favorite place on O'ahu, and I am currently going through the volunteer training for the Hanauma Bay Education Program.

I decided to put my time where my mouth is and volunteer to educate visitors to the park about this unique and fragile ecosystem. I was pleased to hear that a visitor not only did not mind paying the $3, but was happy about what it was being used for.

I would like to put in a plug for volunteering. I think everyone who is able should find something meaningful to them and volunteer for it. From the American Cancer Society to River of Life Mission to the Honolulu Zoo, volunteers give countless hours, from helping their neighbor to helping the environment.

Some of the most meaningful moments in my life were in volunteer service, and I'm sure most active volunteers would say the same. Oh, and donate blood if you can. These things give you an amazing feeling you will never get at a paying job.

Wayne Huffman

Police decibel meters added to city budget

Charles Pomeroy rightly pointed out, in his July 23 letter, that better enforcement of our muffler law would help reduce traffic noise in Waikiki.

Although officers have issued citations for violating the muffler noise law, the courts have been dismissing the citations because the police could not prove that the muffler noise exceeded that of a factory-installed muffler.

To address this problem, I added language in the budget to purchase decibel meters to give the police the tools they need to make citations hold up in court.

Duke Bainum
Councilman, District IV

'Make a difference' with water savings

In addition to the "Tips for Water Conservation" listed in the July 27 issue, let's all try to do the following:

• If your address ends in an odd number, then water your yard and plants on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. If your address ends in an even number, then water your yard and plants on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Friday is Aloha Friday, so let's agree to not water yards, plants or wash cars on Fridays — it's our "aloha" to the water wells.

It would be great if businesses, the city and state would follow this schedule also.

• Try to wash your car on the grass every other week on one of your designated days.

• Remember that invention called the broom? Don't wash down driveways — sweep and smile instead.

• When rinsing items in the sink, just stick a dishpan under the faucet and use that reclaimed water for your potted plants.

Remember how Hawai'i came together after Hurricane 'Iniki? We really do "Live Aloha." Let's all show the Board of Water Supply that we will volunteer and cut back 10 percent by "Make a Difference Day" in October.

Kathie Wells
Kailua