Letters to the Editor

Religious materials on campus right choice

I understand and appreciate that Superintendent Pat Hamamoto is in a very tough position and faces real and serious challenges each and every day as she and her team address education in Hawai'i's schools.

I would like to applaud her for her strong support of the Jesus video/student survival kit distribution program in our schools. Our 18-year-old son started attending Windward Community College in January and participated in this distribution program with some of his friends. He had several friendly one-on-one talks with fellow students and has made some new friends in the process.

Superintendent Hamamoto's decision and support of this program shows the kind of wisdom, discernment and strength we desperately need in our leaders.

She did the right thing and is to be congratulated and supported.

Tom Laidlaw
Kailua

Duffy appointment to court raises the bar

Shame on you, Linda Lingle, for appointing James E. Duffy Jr., a Democrat, to the Hawai'i Supreme Court.

You, as a Republican, have shown disrespect for the standards set by 40 years of rule and power by the Democratic Party machine.

What were you thinking when you appointed the "best man for the job"? How could you base this appointment on qualifications, experience and talent? You did not take into consideration any "old-boy" or political connections. That is not how Hawai'i has worked under the Democrats.

Now you have messed up everything — what next? Fairness, openness and balance in the state government? Truth? Honesty? Respect for all of Hawai'i's people, not just those with connections or money?

If and when we have another Democrat as governor, the Democrats will have their work cut out for them to bring the standards of the governor's office down to where it was when you took office. Will the Democrats once again be able to "fail to live up to the low standards that they have set for themselves"? The past 40 years have shown what they can and can't do.

Michael Sakalauskas
Kailua

UH students should have designed logo

The University of Hawai'i wants to promote its students and provide a good example of making intelligent decisions in a business world. And yet it spends $82,000 for a Mainland firm to create its logo.

Is it really the logo that makes students choose this school, and what was wrong with the old one? What does a firm in Baltimore know about a university in Hawai'i? Why do they say "buy Hawai'i" when they send taxpayer money out of state? Don't they think someone in Hawai'i is creative enough to design their logo?

It would have been wiser to let UH students create a logo and then let UH students vote for the final selection. We live in a democratic society, so the university should practice what it teaches. They could give the winner one semester of free tuition, although I believe a student would do it for free.

Many students would have felt proud and honored to create the UH logo. This would have saved $82,000 and shown their students that they believe in them. Plus, the logo would look much better than what they have to choose from right now.

Colin Kau

Kahala Mall Easter display appreciated

I was thrilled to see that Kahala Mall opted against their usual display of baby animals for the Easter holiday. These live displays only entice parents to give in to their children and obtain a cute little chick or bunny that inevitably ends up at the Humane Society or worse.

It was refreshing to see the spring display of garden landscapes and also give contractors an opportunity to advertise their craft. This is one year I did not stay away from the mall.

I certainly hope this practice continues in the years to come.

Cristina Andrews

Pedestrians taking unwarranted risks

One of the casualties in the relentless "Manhattanization" of O'ahu is behavior that allows the other guy to have his turn.

But it's not just drivers, it's pedestrians, too.

You can observe people crossing against the red light, using the road as a jogging or skating path, and making the often foolish assumption that their bodies will win in a contest with a moving vehicle.

Edward Bonomi

Editorials inconsistent on Iraq, North Korea

Your recent editorial silence on the Iraq War is commendable, especially since your comments tend to be at best "wishful liberalism/superficial humanitarianism" and at worst dangerously naive and unrealistic.

But on North Korea you have regressed. As evidenced by the North Korean violations of the Clinton accords from inception, U.S. talks with North Korea will not achieve any long-term solution without the active involvement, including creditable threats of sanctions and if necessary imposition of these sanctions, from China, Japan and South Korea.

Why is it, then, that your editorial does not address the need for the involvement of other countries? Also, why is it that you: (1) have condemned so-called U.S. unilateralism on Iraq ("so-called" because the U.S. tried to get the U.N. to live up to its responsibilities but was defeated by French, German and Russian hypocrisy and narrow self-interest, but even then acted in coalition with other countries); but (2) now urge immediate U.S. unilateral action on North Korea without even making an attempt to involve other countries?

Bob Warner

Jim Bartels was a treasure at palace

As a former docent at 'Iolani Palace, I join thousands of people who are stunned by the unexpected loss of Jim Bartels.

Jim was one-of-a-kind. He was a treasure. He set the standards for docents and other volunteers at the palace.

When I started my docent training in 1985, I had little to no knowledge of Hawaiian history. By the time the training was finished, not only did I have a good understanding of Hawaiian history, but also a love and reverence for the palace, its artifacts and the people who lived there. Jim was a large part of that learning experience. He demanded, and accepted, only the best from people.

He was a busy man, but never too busy to answer obscure questions or to sit at the table in the break room at 'Iolani Palace and spin a few more stories for our eager ears. His knowledge was vast, and he was very unselfish with it.

I know my fellow palace volunteers are saddened beyond belief at his death. But we will remember and celebrate his life — just as Jim would want us to focus on the positive.

Barbara Kula

State leaders must protect early-childhood schooling

As executive director for Good Beginnings Alliance, Hawai'i's early-childhood intermediary organization, I commend the editorial board for its recent editorial and echo the call. State leaders must redouble their efforts to ensure our keiki are safe, healthy and ready for school.

The benefits of early-childhood education are well-documented: greater school readiness, improved scores on primary-grade tests, reduced grade retention and special education, and a more productive workforce.

Hawai'i has Head Start programs of exceptional quality. Pre-Plus is a public/private partnership and an important first step to a universal preschool system. We also have a strong history of philanthropy in our state. Nonetheless, less than 60 percent of our low-income 3- and 4-year-olds have subsidies that help them attend preschool. The very children who need the greatest opportunities are behind before they even begin.

If a proposed change in kin-dergarten entry age is enacted, this number will swell by 5,000 children whose parents work, and yet many cannot afford the price of preschool.

Hawai'i can and must do more. A School Readiness Task Force, co-chaired by the superintendent of schools and CEO of Kamehameha Schools, guides our efforts. Its strong, able leadership has resulted in a sweeping plan to improve early-childhood education across the board, from expanding professional development opportunities to assessing children's readiness for kindergarten.

These efforts have popular support. The People's Pulse, a recent poll commissioned by the Hawai'i Business Roundtable, Enterprise Honolulu, and the Pacific Resource Partnership found that 76 percent of Hawai'i residents believe that state government should subsidize preschool so all families can afford to send their children.

We are grateful to the leadership displayed by Congressman Neil Abercrombie nationally and our many partners locally. Our state is currently mired in a budget shortfall. Yet, experts such as the Federal Reserve have called early-childhood education "among the wisest investments a state can make."

Hard times call for hard choices. The Advertiser's editorial board is right — we must defend our gains and keep expanding the opportunities for all children to enter school ready to succeed.

Elisabeth Chun
Executive director, Good Beginnings Alliance

Hong Kong is open for business

We thank all of you who have called to show concern and support for Hong Kong at this difficult time. I can report that the situation there is stabilizing.

Daily, Hong Kong government and heroic medical teams are gaining experience and winning ground in the battle against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Over the recent holiday period, the number of SARS patients who went home from the hospital after successful treatment outnumbered new admissions, which has lifted spirits.

Some friends have asked if they can confidently conduct trade with Hong Kong at this time. The answer is a resounding "yes" for the following reasons:

• Imports and mail from Hong Kong do not pose a health risk. That is a World Health Organization fact.
• Production is going on as usual in Hong Kong's widespread network of factories in the Chinese mainland and elsewhere.
• Goods are flowing to overseas markets with minimum disruption.
• Trade fairs are going ahead in Hong Kong for an extended spring buying season, with stringent health protection measures in place. At Hong Kong Trade Development Council's (HKTDC's) consolidated fairs for gifts and housewares, more than one-third of reconfirmed exhibitors are from overseas. Hong Kong also looks forward to welcoming overseas buyers with open arms, VIP treatment and attractive travel packages.
• Life is going on in Hong Kong, with people going to work every day and schools re-opening on a phased basis.
• Nimble and innovative Hong Kong firms are finding new ways to connect with customers, including setting up temporary showrooms overseas.

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council, too, has stepped forward with special initiatives such as Web conferencing, virtual exhibitions and catalogue shows in your markets to broaden your business communication channels with Hong Kong. Details are listed on our resource center page.

The entire Hong Kong community is united to overcome this problem. It is also the top priority for leaders on the Chinese mainland. Temperature checks and health screening at Hong Kong's airport are restoring confidence in air travel. High-tech screening will soon be installed at Hong Kong's land crossings with the mainland, in close cooperation with health authorities there.

Johnson W.K. Choi
President and executive director, Hong Kong China Hawaii Chamber of Commerce