Letters to the Editor
Politicians shouldn't have say on procedure
The so-called "partial-birth" abortion ban act of 2003 that moved in Congress this week would outlaw medically necessary abortions needed by women who have serious medical conditions like kidney failure, diabetes and risk of stroke. This legislation could put doctors in jail for providing the best possible healthcare to women.
The Supreme Court ruled three years ago, in Stenberg v. Carhart, that women, in consultation with their families and doctors — not politicians — should make decisions about the best way to provide medical care to protect the health and life of a woman.
The Supreme Court, Planned Parenthood and the medical community agree that women and doctors — not politicians — should make serious medical decisions.
This politically driven, unconstitutional abortion ban should be struck down.
Barry Raff
CEO, Planned Parenthood of Hawaii
It's the legislators' job to represent people
A couple of recent letters objected to House Speaker Calvin Say's response to Sen. Fred Hemmings' complaints over public school capital improvement projects (CIP). I want to help set the record straight.
On June 1, Shirley Hasenyager said that the senator was not recommending that the administration set school priorities, but that the Legislature follow the guidelines as set up by the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS). What Ms. Hasenyager fails to realize is that this department is part of the administration. If the Legislature were to follow its instructions wholesale, it would, in effect and by definition, allow the administration to set priorities.
The following day, Roy Yanagihara stated that Say had missed the point of Sen. Hemmings' commentary, and that CIP priorities should be based on actual need rather than political influence. It appears clear to me that need does, in fact, play a crucial role in determining which CIP projects get funded.
However, "need" is a very subjective term. The administration is able to put a priority list together based upon its view of need, but people in every community also have needs, and it is the legislators' job as representatives of those communities to bring those needs forward.
While DAGS has competent people working for it, it would be foolhardy for anyone to expect it to be able to sort out everyone's opinion on priority. So some of the administration's projects are kept and some are replaced. What results is a compromise that hopefully addresses as many "needs" as possible.
Once you understand the process of identifying school projects, you also understand how inclusive it really is.
Martha Townsend
Former budget analyst
House Finance Committee
Please stop throwing cigarettes on the roads
To all of the drivers who flick cigarette butts out the windows of their vehicles (and there are thousands of you, based on what I have seen on O'ahu): Cigarette butts do not disintegrate quickly. They will stay around for many months and are an eyesore.
Please show some common courtesy — and a little class — by keeping your trash to yourself.
During this morning's commute, I saw two drivers toss cigarette butts onto H-1. I'm not keeping a formal tally, but it's about average to see somebody litter like this once every five miles. It's very sad to see so many inconsiderate people pollute our home like this.
Robert Olin
'Ewa Beach
Elementary school gave daughter the best
This week, my daughter, Kaimana, graduated from Maunawili Elementary School. For the past six years, she has enjoyed a continuity of care and stimulation that has caused me to greatly appreciate the efforts of the school's staff, both as a team and as individuals.
Contrary to the bad rap that public schools are often given, I found the quality of education to be far in excess of my expectations.
As parents, there is often an expectation and even pressure from our peers to send our children to private schools so that we don't waste their potential. Whether or not Maunawili is a typical public school, I found the structure more than adequate in providing opportunities for children of all levels to be challenged and stimulated.
Besides a continuation of skilled and caring teachers, my daughter also benefited from being a student ofÊthe school's enrichment class, provided by a very special teacher, that began in the third grade. This year, her sixth-grade class had only 20 children.
We also enjoyed a continuity of care in the afterschool A-Plus program that was provided by the same warm individual for almost the whole time Kaimana was there.
As my child now transitions to the next phase of her education, I am filled with a deep appreciation for the good work and caring attitudes of the teachers and administrators of Maunawili Elementary School.
Mahalo, Maunawili, for giving my daughter the skills and confidence she will need for a successful future.
Charles E. Larson
