Letters to the Editor
Kindergarten issues must be resolved
Hawai'i must develop policies that address the real needs of our young children. Changing the kindergarten entry age is not the way to increase the readiness of Hawai'i's children.
The state must first examine the natural consequences to young children and their families that will occur as a result of this move, and it must address these issues before implementing such a significant change. Questions that must be examined are:
- Will changing kindergarten entry age increase the school readiness of young children most needy of early education experiences?
- Where will these children who do not meet the proposed cutoff date go?
- Will the system of preschool subsidies guarantee space to children denied entrance to kindergarten, which it currently does not?
- Will kindergarten entry affect children starting first grade?
While a majority of states have kindergarten entry dates earlier than Hawai'i, many states also provide numerous state-sponsored preschool opportunities. Hawai'i does not.
Only by developing a holistic approach that includes supporting activities that increase a child's school readiness can Hawai'i truly move toward ensuring that our keiki will enter school ready to succeed.
Elisabeth Chun
Executive director, Good Beginnings Alliance
News about violence stereotypes people
Stories about street violence are heavy in the local news, resulting in certain people being stereotyped and discriminated against because of their appearance.
This is one drawback of "Broken Windows Policing," which entails the police tackling roots of problems perceived to evolve into serious communal disorder. Thus, the "hobo" at 'A'ala Park may be accused of trying to rob an elderly woman.
Also, people already marginalized will be further selectively targeted. The Polynesian (who already has a higher chance of living in poverty) may be improperly harassed for drinking on the street corner.
Police efforts are credible, but more can be done to improve relations between the police and citizens. An expansion of community-oriented policing tactics like the Weed & Seed program can be beneficial. More people are victimized by white-collar crimes, not by vice. Honolulu's crime rate is below the national average, yet we remain fearful. We can't let television news continue to toy with our emotions.
Derrick De Soto
Sunset on the Beach was heartwarming
Bravo to the coordinators of the Sunset on the Beach at Ma'ili Point on the Wai'anae Coast. It warms my heart to read that this could possibly be a regular event and could attract people from all over the island.
I was born and raised in Wai'anae, and now live in the Washington, D.C., Metro area. Wai'anae will always be home to me.
My only regret is that I couldn't be there to enjoy the beach, sun, talk story and 'ono food with my family and friends.
Wai'anae no ka oi!
Napualokelani S. Wiley
Alexandria, Va.
Hire the homeless for a 'litter brigade'
Hawai'i is the perfect place to be homeless. The weather is beautiful year-round, there are public showers and drinking fountains at the beaches and there's always a fruit tree somewhere that will provide at least a snack.
It doesn't appear there's going to be any way to prevent homelessness here, but maybe there's a way to reduce it.
Honolulu has a problem with pollution, especially littering. It also has large numbers of homeless people. There must be a way of creating a sort of "litter brigade" to employ the homeless in a loose fashion and reward them for the amount of litter they collect and turn in to whatever center could be established for collecting it.
If this idea could be expanded on by someone with a mind for these kinds of things (and there would have to be some kind of governmental funding, since the program would be both humanitarian and conservational in nature), the city could rehabilitate a lot of the homeless people.
At the same time, this could restore cleanliness to a city that — by virtue of its geographical location — should be far more beautiful than it is.
Kevin Erickson-Velez
Campaign finances aren't tainting Case
Political campaigns are marred by hefty campaign contributions from special-interest groups, but there is only one candidate who really doesn't make the dollar an important factor in this race: state Rep. Ed Case, D-23rd District (Manoa).
Rep. Case is what government is all about, i.e., honesty, hard work, leadership and good ethics. He has challenged the old-boy cronyism in debate on the House floor, from the economy to healthcare — and to what result: resistance from his own party. The Democratic Party of Hawai'i has shot itself in the foot for not supporting the best hope the party has for Hawai'i, and it will be reflective in the upcoming election.
I am ashamed at how the party has treated Mr. Case. The Democratic Party of Hawai'i should take a crash course in advancing Hawai'i's economy by paying a visit to the Ed Case Web site.
Vaitoleau Tua Jr.
Beware Democratic plan to boost budget
Just what the heck is going on here? The Democrats are planning to increase spending by $90 million next year. Isn't that about what they plan to raid from the Hurricane Relief Fund? Which, by the way, if done, means that it was a tax all along.
Aren't state taxes deductible insofar as federal taxes go?
People of Hawai'i, please, please wake up and smell the coffee before it's too late. Before we end up bankrupt like Orange County, Calif.
Mark Traeger
State should return fee
Last year my wife and I bought a house, and the state charged us $248 as a mortgage recording fee for the Hurricane Relief Fund.
Since the state does not provide any services to us and other homeowners for this mortgage recording fee, it should return the money in Hurricane Relief Fund to all homeowners who have paid into it and got nothing from the state.
John Zhang
Hurricane did indeed hit us, so use the fund
If I bought insurance last year and had no event that needed coverage, I wouldn't expect to get my premium back. Why do some insist that the hurricane fund be returned? People were insured for the period paid; they received the benefit they paid for. Fortunately, there was no hurricane.
However, what happened on 9/11 was very much like a hurricane, especially for Hawai'i.
Even before it happened, we all agreed that public education, K through university, was in dire straits. Why is the Legislature willing to further weaken this important public service with further cuts when it should be making up for the past? Everyone talks about how important education is for our economic future, yet some are willing to place it in more jeopardy.
We are lucky to have a "hurricane fund." We need to recognize that we have been hit and use this fund for the emergency we face.
Jean Yamasaki Toyama
August Wilson had wonderful education
A special thanks to Miles M. Jackson for his March 10 article, "If you're young, black and poor, a library offers hope."
As a (distant) cousin of the late Ralph Ellison and someone who has had the pleasure of knowing August Wilson for about 35 years, I want to thank Jackson for bringing these interesting facts to light.
It is no secret to those who know him that August Wilson educated himself at the pubic library near his home in Pittsburgh. And what an education it was! He continues to present the outstanding works that we have seen and enjoyed on television and on Broadway (and off-Broadway) stage. His outstanding accomplishments are a testament to his will and determination. When others didn't understand or believe in him, he continued to believe in himself.
As a point of clarification, August studied and independently educated himself at the Wylie Avenue Branch of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, not the downtown branch. The (old) Wylie Avenue Branch is in the Hill District in the neighborhood where August and his siblings grew up, and is now known as the Hill District Branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Located at a new site, under the watchful eye of Lydia E. Scott, the library continues to be a strong pull for young and old in the neighborhood.
Also, when August was getting his own education, there was no such place as the downtown branch of the Carnegie Library; it wasn't created until some time in the 1980s.
Ardelle Vivienne Robinson
Drivers who race on roads should lose cars
People who choose to race on the public roads should have their automobiles taken away.
First, with this law in place, people would be less likely to race due to fear of losing their cars. Second, if these people do decide to race on the streets and highways and get their cars taken away, they would no longer be able to race. Last, if they get their car taken away and buy a new car, they would be less likely to race out of fear of losing a second car.
I am for the proposed bill to confiscate the cars of those who choose to race on the street. People should keep racing on the track and off our roadways before more innocent people get hurt.
Nathan Sinn
Makakilo
Driving age should be increased to 18
Every time I hear about a traffic accident on the news, juveniles are usually involved. That's why the driving age should be raised from 16 to 18.
Driving takes a lot of responsibility that most juveniles don't have. Being responsible for a vehicle is important. Not only is a vehicle expensive, but it's capable of hurting and killing others.
I recall when I was 15 years old. Driving or being a passenger only meant getting from one place to another. We never worried about taking responsibility for being on the road. We were thinking more about getting to a party and having fun. Being in control of a vehicle takes a great deal of maturity.
Juveniles cannot smoke or drink, yet they are capable of hurting and killing people by just driving. Raising the legal age of driving may reduce the number of accidents and may even do these kids and their parents a favor.
Lauren Yasui
Waipahu
Bike lane would be safer place for moped riders
As a frequent driver along Kalaniana'ole Highway, from Kahala Mall to Sandy Beach, I find it very frustrating when moped riders stay in the right lane instead of being single file in the bike lane. They hold up traffic and act as if they have every right to be in the same lane as cars.
A very dangerous traffic hazard is caused when these moped riders start racing each other and swerving with no regard to other vehicle traffic. Police officers need to actively start tagging the drivers of the mopeds.
Michael Nobriga
Curfew for teenagers would cut accidents
A curfew for teenage drivers from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. would be a good way to reduce fatal accidents.
Teenagers like to go out late, have fun and party, but they drive home tired or even drunk. Most of the fatal accidents occur mostly by people falling asleep at the wheel, driving drunk or speeding. Having a curfew would help decrease these problems.
Justin Humalon
Legislature should just leave us alone
If Herbert Coleman of Kane'ohe loves "Vickycare" so much and wants long-term care for all Hawai'i residents, why doesn't he pay for the entire program?
I wish just one legislative session could go by without my wallet being mugged by the Democratic-controlled House and Senate.
Do us all a favor and just stay out of session all year long. I'll gladly pay your salary out of our existing taxes, and my wallet would be much safer and the quality of life for me and my family much better.
Gary Rogers
Kapolei
