Posted on: Wednesday, December 10, 2003

Letters to the Editor

Maintain facilities before investing in new ones

We applaud Gov. Linda Lingle's decision not to release money for the University of Hawai'i to purchase Paradise Park. This is a sound fiscal decision.

We recently took a tour of Coconut Island in Kane'ohe Bay, home to an existing world-class research center for marine biology. We were dismayed to find major buildings, docks and the grounds not properly maintained and deteriorating. While much of the important research is paid for through grants, we feel there is an obligation of the university and the state to maintain the facilities that support world-class research.

This research center is an important arm of the university and is recognized throughout the world. More can be done with better facilities and equipment.

We need to maintain and upgrade existing facilities, such as those on Coconut Island, rather than spending state money on another "white elephant" that Paradise Park would no doubt become.

Water conservation should be done by all

Has anyone else noticed the hypocrisy of the city government in regard to water use? Specifically, the constant reminders to conserve and use less water despite minor inconveniences.

Yet, during these torrential rains of the past two weeks, I have spotted many sprinklers operating on their regular schedules — with no one sent to disable them. The same could be said for private entities (i.e. subdivisions, shopping areas).

Come on, folks, practice what you preach.

Principals should get real power to run schools

In response to the Dec. 2 editorial "Education reform can't wait for governance fight," I would like to commend the proposal that the key to school improvement is to empower principals to run their schools and control their budgets as they see fit, so long as basic overall educational goals are met.

I also applaud the proposal of including the existing School-Community-Based Management Councils as a framework for encouraging more community involvement in the school districts.

To support these proposals, I refer to an Oct. 6 article from New York magazine titled "Mike Bloomberg Goes to the Principal's Office." This article highlights the efforts and accomplishments of Anthony Lombardi, principal of PS 49 in Queens.

Based on his management model, utilizing a new reading-and-writing program designed by Teachers College, Columbia University, PS 49's citywide ranking bounded to 90th place, up 29 spots from the previous year.

Joel Klein, chancellor of education, proposes training of principals, imposing standardizing reading and math curricula system wide and training of teachers in programs supervised by their principals in order to give principals real power, as if they were running a small business.

Having taught in New York City in the '60s before community-based school boards went into effect, I agree with Bloomberg's wanting to assume control of a once-sovereign school system.

Nature no excuse to not protect coastal resources

Your article on runoff to the sea off Maui illustrates that our coastal waters and coral reefs are at risk from a faith-based approach by governmental agencies and developers — implement, shortcut or ignore what appear to be largely cosmetic erosion-control plans and pray that it doesn't rain.

Periods of heavy rainfall should be expected in Hawai'i and planned for, not dismissed as aberrations of nature that excuse inadequate protection of public resources. Clearly more effective measures are needed to reduce the amount of sedimentation reaching our coastal waters from all sources, but the fact that runoff can reach the ocean from more than one source does not relieve developers of their responsibilities to prevent runoff from their projects.

Prevention of runoff from construction projects is to be preferred over after-the-fact sanctions, but sanctions are necessary to enforce the laws and deter future violations.

Concerned citizens and watchdog groups such as the Sierra Club are to be commended for their efforts to bring attention to runoff problems from construction projects, not castigated as being anti-development.

Lingle appointees more than qualified

In response to Lee Cataluna's Dec. 2 column and Al Fukumoto's Dec. 5 letter concerning the governor's appointments, a number of the people mentioned by Cataluna are on boards and not paid a cent for their many hours spent away from their personal life.

Some of those who have been appointed to paying jobs in the administration are making less than they would have in their private-sector jobs, but they wanted to be a part of the new beginning. That is certainly not being "rewarded."

Further, the implication is that anyone known to the governor who received an appointment is not qualified and if salaried, is being paid for doing nothing. This is, obviously, absurd.

Less than one-third of her appointments were known to her prior to her election and those selected, known or unknown, are eminently qualified for their jobs. Fukumoto can rest assured that he is getting his monies worth.

Rail system can do wonders for economy

The money needed to build a light rail system on O'ahu should not be considered a tax increase, but a wise investment into the future well-being of Honolulu.

All the great cities of the world such as New York City, Paris, London, Tokyo, etc. have rail systems that move people around quickly and efficiently. People love to live or visit there.

If the naysayers of this project have their way, the people of Hawai'i will have to be content with the fact that Honolulu will never come close to matching those great cities in attracting new businesses and jobs, increasing our share of visitors to sustain our economy and stemming the out-migration of local residents to other cities where vehicular traffic is not in gridlock.

I am encouraged by the planning actions of the current state Department of Transportation's team of traffic engineers/experts who appear to have that "can-do" spirit.

There's no question Aveiro is right for job

Having worked with Stephanie Aveiro in the County of Maui, Department of Housing and Human Concerns and later as executive director of Lokahi Pacific, a nonprofit developer of housing for people with special needs, I find myself compelled to react to your Dec. 3 editorial "Housing appointment leaves cronyism questions."

The Housing and Community Development Corporation is a large and complex organization. I know that Aveiro is not taking on this job for the pay. I believe that she felt compelled to help. She is just that kind of person. And with her past experience in running a government housing agency, she is certainly qualified.

Political cronyism to me is when someone is appointed to a high-paying position with no experience and little accomplishments to mention.

I would like to commend Aveiro for taking on this position. While as director of Housing and Human Concerns, Aveiro played a major role in the construction of Ka Hale Ake Ola, Maui's homeless resource shelter. This project has received recognition not only statewide, but nationally.

In addition, Aveiro was instrumental in the development of Kaho'okamamalu in Wailuku, which consisted of an office complex that houses three of Maui's nonprofit agencies: Maui AIDS Foundation, Women Helping Women and Lokahi Pacific, as well as 20 one-bedroom apartment units for people with special needs. This project has also been recognized nationally for its innovativeness.

Hawaiian children wrongly denied admission

I am writing this letter to voice my deep dissatisfaction for the decision that was made by the federal judge concerning the admission of a non-Hawaiian student into Kamehameha Schools. I strongly feel that the trustees are not doing their duty of upholding and/or defending the will and legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop.

Preference shall be given to children of Hawaiian ancestry. This is not being done. Former chief executive officer Hamilton McCubbin said there were no other Hawaiian students better qualified for admission than Brayden Mohica-Cummings. This is very hard to believe.

Even if a child had a slightly lower score but had Hawaiian ancestry, he or she should be given preference. I strongly feel that the mission of Kamehameha is to educate. Do their job and educate these Hawaiian children to bring their qualifications up to an acceptable level.

I am an alumnus of Kamehameha, yet three of my children were not allowed into the school. My children were deprived of receiving their education from this Hawaiian school. It infuriates me that allowance was given to a non-Hawaiian student.

The monetary standings of the school were derived from Bernice Pauahi Bishop and it was her will to assist the Hawaiian children economically, thereby educating them so that they could better produce for the Hawaiian community in the real word, uplifting their status and economical welfare in life as we know it today.

The trustees and the administration are not doing the job they were entrusted to do.

Sportsmanship displayed deserves cheers

Aloha, Lee Cataluna.

I am visiting the beautiful Garden Isle of Kaua'i from New York. I read The Honolulu Advertiser yesterday and was delighted to find on the front page (of a major newspaper) your column lauding Kahuku High School football players' sportsmanship.

I am a sport psychology consultant (and a licensed clinical social worker) who also has played several sports at high school, college, national and international competitions.

I experienced the jubilation of playing basketball for the highly ranked University of Tennessee Lady Vols, being a three-time medalist in the Deaf Olympics in Volleyball, participating in the 1991 U.S. Olympic Festival (volleyball) and serving as the 2002 Winter Olympics Relay Torchbearer. All through my athletic career I valued sportsmanship just as high as winning.

Your article should be printed in all major newspapers across the world. Sportsmanship seems to have lost its meaning in this time of "in your face," humiliate your opponents, win-at-all-costs mentality from t-ball to professional leagues.

Parents are being arrested for fighting other parents during Little League games, coaches are fined for cursing and hitting referees and players, and the athletes are so caught in the high pressure of winning that they disrespect their opponents, commit flagrant fouls, cheat with illegal performance-enhancing drugs, etc. Where is the sportsmanship of the good old days?

The Kahuku and Saint Louis players battled a classic finish for the Hawaii Division 1 State Football Championship. It's tough to lose. It could have gone either way and in my opinion, both teams are winners. The Kahuku athletes, Afa Garrigan and Mauhe Moala, showed the utmost sportsmanship that I've seen in a long time.

They could have been hooting and hollering, celebrating their state title, but they took the moment to reach out to Saint Louis kicker C.J. Santiago after his only failed kick of the game. Class act.

Santiago also showed the ultimate sportsmanship by accepting his two worthy game opponents' support and compassion. He easily could have pushed them away and said a few choice words.

All three of these athletes are excellent examples of sportsmanship in a world that often ridicules such action.

The picture that the photographer snapped of these three athletes is worth far more than words could express. It is a jewel of a photo. It captured the true essence of sportsmanship as did your column. Thank you for your courage in writing such an article that rarely finds itself in newsprint anywhere, much less on the front page of a major newspaper.

Congratulations to Kahuku and Saint Louis for an exciting, hard-fought state high school football championship game. Further kudos to Kahuku for winning the championship.

However, the true champion was the sportsmanship displayed ... well worthy of the highest prize of any sports and so simply embraces the ideals of the Olympic spirit.