Posted on: Monday, December 15, 2003

Letters to the Editor

Canal rescue reflects on HPD's good work

As a noncriminal event, the courageous rescue of Doriann Agbayani's son, Isaiah, from a drainage canal in Waipahu will not count toward the Honolulu Police Department's clearance rate.

And, yet, the courageous plunge into danger by HPD officer Shayne Sesoko and adept teamwork by officer Tim Tenney has made all the difference in a mother and son's grateful celebration of this holiday season.

A simple reminder of the broader measure of the fine job done on a daily basis by the men and women of the Honolulu Police Department.

Police work involves too many down sides

Why would a parent encourage their child to become a Honolulu Police Department officer?

Everyone knows about the good stuff in being an officer of the law; however, let's look at some of the not-so-good stuff too.

• The profession of an HPD officer is increasingly the most dangerous and hazardous on this island.
• They see the ugliest of human carnage and witness the cruelty of human tragedy.
• People hate you when you arrest them and motorists curse at you when ticketed.
• The profession of a police officer is known for its high rate in divorce, alcoholism and suicide.
• Depending on the type of police work they do, sometimes their family's safety may be placed in danger.

What's the pay for an HPD officer? Look at it this way, a city bus driver earns comparable wages and benefits, if not more, than a cop does. They also have a lot less stress, liability and danger, and people rarely ever hate them.

Any parent who encourages their child to become an HPD officer must be crazy and immediately reported to the police.

Remove DOE from decision-making

This is in regard to your Dec. 6 article "Critical e-mail by DOE aide riles consultant." The e-mail of Greg Knudsen, the Department of Education's communications director, to William Ouchi's boss at the Anderson School at UCLA should convince us that we need to take the critical decision-making out of the hands of the present DOE and give it to some responsible adults.

Perspective on Iraq, Vietnam wars is warped

In response to public school teacher Thomas Stuart's Dec. 2 letter "Iraq: It's time for courage in defense of freedom": Where in the world is he coming from? Would he have had us in that losing war another two decades? Did he ever read the Pentagon Papers? Does he read on the same level as President Bush and get his information only from advisers?

Talk about living in an unrealistic world.

Require standardized physical fitness test

What's going on here? How can people possibly think about eliminating physical education in the public school system?

The Board of Education's proposal to reduce P.E. requirements does not lend itself to the public schools' vision of developing the child for a lifelong process.

One reason for omitting physical education may be that other physical-education programs presently may not be teaching health and wellness. However, this is not a valid reason to remove P.E. from a school's curriculum.

The common arguments in favor of physical education are sensible. High levels of obesity in children are closely related to the reduction of P.E. time in schools. Other diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure are results of sedentary lifestyles.

Exercise can also serve as an alternative way of coping with stress, rather than unhealthy habits such as drinking and substance abuse.

Now that schools are becoming more focused on academics, how can "nonessential" courses such as physical education and fine arts remain in the curriculum?

If P.E. is to remain in the curriculum, I believe there should be a set requirement for graduation.

Students should have to pass a standardized health physical fitness test before graduating and a yearly requirement should be established whereby the student must show proof of participation in any regular, active lifestyle.

Physical education should also always be offered as an elective course for students who enjoy being active.

Enforce laws regarding noise in Waikiki

I have just returned from the Mainland after a wonderful noise- free vacation. Now because of the motorcycle pigs (or is that hogs), and hot rod cars of Waikiki, I have to start putting on my ear plugs again.

From now on I will tell people not to visit Honolulu because of the noise. I would like to start a petition to enforce the laws for this.

Now, to explain this fuss

Mahalo to former Gov. Ben Cayetano for regurgitating the history of the state of Hawai'i's pursuit of funds from Big Oil.

Now, can Cayetano kindly explain what this fuss is about his campaign contributions? Isn't this the pot calling the kettle black?

UH Warrior mascot represents us well

In response to Thomas Anderson's Dec. 9 letter concerning the face that the University of Hawai'i presents when appearing on national TV during football games, we do not want to be what you have become. Uptight and out of sight.

The UH Warrior represents a fine university and outstanding people. God bless the United States and the former sovereign nation of Hawai'i. May the spirit of the island and the aloha of its people always be with you.

The Warrior is in part a symbol of that past, present and future. At least our school is represented by a human being. The UH cheerleaders are no more undressed than any others. Plus, the weather agrees with the attire. This is Hawai'i, skin is in. Football is supposed to be fun. Find a woman, get a life, have some fun.

'Hawaii Five-O' car's trip a mystery to owner

In 1968, Ford shipped a one-of-a-kind Ford Fairlane 500 convertible to Hawai'i. The car was unusual in the sense that it was never sold by Ford. It was given away. Ford called these cars "introductory show units." They are unusual because most of them were in fact destroyed.

This Ford Fairlane 500 convertible was seen in episodes of "Hawaii Five-O" during the 1968 season and has since ended up in Washington state with current owner Brian Reilly, who wonders how the car got there. Pictured is his wife, Denise. Photo courtesy of Brian Reilly

This particular car came fully equipped with a 335 horsepower V-8, bucket seats and a console-mounted automatic floor shift along with power windows. It sported powder-blue paint with a two-tone blue vinyl interior.

The Fairlane 500 was built in Lorain, Ohio. It was shipped by rail to Los Angeles. It was then shipped to Honolulu Ford, where it was delivered to the "Hawaii Five-O" film production company.

During the 1968 season, the Fairlane 500 convertible was used in four "Hawaii Five-O" episodes. The episodes were "Deathwatch," "No Blue Skies," "24 Karat Kill" and "Tiger by the Tail." Jack Lord used it for cover from gunfire. Sam Melville used it to kidnap Sal Mineo. Kaz Garas and Marj Dusay escaped in it. The car then disappeared from the show.

Now, fast-forward 35 years.

After 10 years of research I have discovered that this is the car that I presently own. How did this car get back to the Mainland and Washington state? Did someone in the military buy the car? How has the car survived all of these years?

Hopefully, one of The Advertiser's readers may remember someone who once owned a former "Hawaii Five-O" Ford Fairlane 500 convertible 35 years ago. If so, contact me at reillyfam@msn.com. I'd love to know the rest of the story.

Bureaucrats only want to retain power

I read through your lead article Nov. 25, "DOE: Lingle report distorted," and found the punch line was saved until the last sentence, and I'm still laughing, sadly. State Schools Superintendent Pat Hamamoto said, "I can't empower people if I don't have the power."

Last session Sen. Fred Hemmings proposed a system giving principals the money (power) to deal with school maintenance problems without having to spend weeks getting it through DAGS and the DOE.

He had a monetary figure for expenditures that could be allowed without bid, and three bids would be required over a certain amount. This would not only speed up repairs, but be beneficial to businesses in the school's neighborhood.

Guess who testified against the proposed legislation every step of the way? If you guessed Hamamoto and the HSTA, you are very akamai.

What this whole DOE, and some of the BOE, opposition to decentralization is about is loss of power. If you have not been to a CARE meeting, that's too bad. It is enlightening to hear the people who are there with totally closed minds. Their only purpose is to object to any possible advantage to decentralization of the DOE and multiple school boards, and their objection is only based on the fear of losing power.

You should hear the charter school principals with their enthusiasm and their explanations of how freeing it is to operate without stifling restrictions previously endured. However, the DOE is fighting their existence every step they take. Their success means loss of power.

People, please wake up. You elected Gov. Linda Lingle because the same old thing for 40 years was not working. Why do you not speak up and fight for the reforms she wants and the reason you elected her? Forty years of failing our children is unacceptable. These people who want to cling to their power are not there for our children, but for themselves. They scream "we need more money," but they do nothing to ensure the money they have is spent on the students.

Do not remain quiet this next legislative session. All representatives are up for election in 2004, and some senators, too. Remind them that you will be watching and your vote just might be for someone else unless they vote for change.