Letters to the Editor
Military deserves our appreciation
I read comments regarding the military almost every day. Unfortunately, it seems as if 90 percent of these comments are negative. The headlines "Why Army won't do right by Makua" would be one example.
If there were no places for the military to train, I wonder how efficient they would be in a "real" live-fire incident. The military regrets such incidents as the Ehime Maru and the Black Hawk helicopter accidents. However, it always seems as if the military is portrayed as the "bad guys." I find this very sad and frustrating.
As the wife of a U.S. Marine with over 20 years of service, it would be nice to hear some thanks to these hard-working military service men and women in whichever branch. They are away from their families for months at a time protecting our freedom for not-so-great pay.
Sabina H. Marshall
Kailua
There's a social way out of school violence
To avoid shootings, school officials should provide more co-curricular activities for students to become acquainted with each other. During these activities, the students can hopefully communicate with each other and prevent confrontation.
I'm speaking from a student's point of view: The kids who get teased are usually the ones with no friends. The solution is simply to introduce these kids to other kids with similar interests.
Isaac Lobendahn
Peer Educator, 'Aiea High School
Bicycle riders should face oncoming traffic
The hit-and-run death of bicyclist Theron Keoki Nicodemus is one more avoidable tragic loss of life due to our stupid, idiotic, illogical bike laws that require riders to ride in the same direction as vehicles.
Just like most others who have been injured or killed, Nicodemus didn't see the hit coming. If he had been riding on the safe side, facing oncoming traffic, he would be alive today.
Facing the traffic, as pedestrians are supposed to do, is the only safe way to ride. It is the only way that riders can see an errant driver approaching them and can take action to avoid a collision.
Riders facing traffic not only can avoid out-of-control cars, they have eye contact with drivers.
A mirror offers a very limited view to the rear. It also means constantly taking one's eyes away from the front where there are other dangers. Riders must watch for people in parked cars who might open their doors in front of them or for people who might step out into the street in front of them.
This is all common sense. But I wouldn't expect any government mind to understand that. It is sad that so many people have to suffer or die because of government thinking and attitudes.
David Lipton
Dogs on beach isn't our biggest problems
I agree with reader Liza Banta that some dog owners can be inconsiderate (Letters, March 14), but if it were my children who were being frightened by a large dog more than once, I would simply use common sense and use another beach that doesn't have dogs.
Yes, dog owners may be blatantly disregarding the rules of the beach, but take a look around. Litter is rampant. Rules of the road are broken by the minute. People are assaulted. Government workers are indicted. And who knows what is going to happen when a wave of schoolchildren go unsupervised as our education woes unfold?
The point is, sometimes you have to pick your battles. It may be an inconvenience to move farther down or to another beach, but if you take a thorough look around our Island home, you'll understand where the real problems are.
Patrick Kelly
Kaimuki
Management shows teachers no respect
My wife (who is also a teacher) and I try our best every day to make a positive impact on students' lives. We work hard at what we do and demand that our students work hard also.
We are both second-generation teachers, and knew going into teaching that we would not be rich. We admired our parents for the respect given them from their former students. Going to the store, to a party or out to eat, someone would always walk up and say, "Hi, Mr. Englar, you remember me?" and I would just be amazed at how my Dad's students had such a glow on their faces as they reminisced about school.
It takes special people to teach Hawai'i's children. My Dad was one of them, and I'm trying my best to be one, too.
If you haven't read Lee Cataluna's March 11 commentary, read it. She hits the nail right on the head. I feel very disturbed by the comments and antics made throughout the negotiations by the governor and his negotiator, Davis Yogi. There is absolutely no respect whatsoever toward teachers and what they do.
With contract talks stalled, things such as mortgage, bills and baby food shifts from the back of my mind to the front. It is becoming increasingly difficult to not think about the looming strike while at work. So before it gets any worse, Governor, Mr. Yogi, legislators, Democratic Party or anyone who can help, please settle our contract as soon as possible, for the sake of the teachers and the students of Hawai'i.
Michael Englar
Pearl City
