Letters to the Editor

Don't prop up adult program via children

Advertiser reporter Gordon Pang says that DOE Superintendent Pat Hamamoto "will ask the Board of Education to request that the (adult education program) cut be taken 'lump sum' so that it can be absorbed throughout the department, lessening the impact on adult education." Outrageous!

Instead of keeping cuts from the adult programs separate from our children's programs, she decides to prop up the problem-plagued adult program on their backs.

There have been countless articles quoting various DOE/BOE officials stating that our children's education would improve only with more funding. If that is the case, what our superintendent is asking for will have a direct negative impact on the education of our children.

State Auditor Marion Higa's October 2002 audit of the adult education program lists numerous problems such as double counting students and inconsistently charging fees. Her main recommendation was to transfer the adult education program to the UH community college system where it would be more appropriate. It's time that this happens.

In the interim, we adults should choose to sacrifice in these tough economic times instead of imposing cuts on our children.

Anthony Paresa

Honolulu should get 'bottle bill' exemption

I applaud Mayor Harris and others promoting the idea of curbside recycling on O'ahu. Given our dwindling landfill space and the large number of empty shipping containers we export, this is an idea whose time has come.

If recycling is launched, however, can anyone tell me why we will still need the "bottle bill," which will force us to pay a 5-cent deposit on every bottled or canned beverage starting next year?

The bottle-deposit system will cost everyone more money than recycling, yet it covers only a small fraction of recyclable waste. On top of that, it will be redundant — we will already have a method to recycle cans and bottles.

I urge the mayor and City Council to demand that Honolulu County be exempted from this boondoggle if recycling is implemented.

Mike Strong
Kane'ohe

SARS outbreak points up Taiwan's isolation

The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome has prompted the World Health Organization to issue a global alert. In Taiwan (Republic of China), 10 SARS cases were discovered. Unfortunately, WHO refused to provide Taiwan any help for the political reason that Taiwan is not a WHO member.

The SARS outbreak has once again exposed Taiwan's isolation from WHO. Taiwan has been seeking WHO observation, but the People's Republic of China has opposed such a move, stating that there is no need for Taiwan to participate in WHO, as China takes care of it since Taiwan is part of China.

Taiwan is a sovereign state, and the PRC has never governed Taiwan for one single day. How can it take care of the health of 23 million Taiwanese citizens? Globalization has magnified the effects of Taiwan's exclusion from international health cooperation and has created a gap in the global defense against diseases.

This is a pressing time for Taiwan to join WHO. Taiwan's participation will benefit the health of Taiwan, the PRC and all other countries as well.

Charles Liu

Motorized scooters making life miserable

The 300-plus homeowners at Westloch Fairways are being held hostage by a half-dozen juveniles on motorized scooters ("go-peds") racing up and down the streets and alleys at all hours of the day and night. Police won't cite these little terrorists on the lame excuse there are no statutes governing these vehicles.

What about general statutes pertaining to the reckless endangerment of life and destruction of property?

What about laws against disturbing the peace?

What about laws dealing with the irresponsible parents who put their children and others at risk by not prudently supervising their children's activities?

What about a little plain common sense? One of these days, a child is going to be seriously injured or killed on or by one of these recklessly operated machines.

Petitions are currently being circulated to legislators advocating new laws controlling go-peds. That's fine. Let's get these new laws passed quickly.

And in the meantime, Mr. Mayor, let's locate and enforce existing statutes by which we can get control of this menace on our streets.

David Blackman
'Ewa Beach

Personal attack on president unwarranted

I'm sure many agree with the staff of Environment Hawai'i in opposing the war with Iraq, as published in Island Voices on March 20.

However, their position is diminished when they turn from an argument based on principle to a personal attack on the president, referring to him as a "nominal president" of "doubtful legitimacy."

Disappointing to hear educated folks use that argument; it's so obviously wrong. Regardless of the popular vote, the funny ballots in Florida, the decision by the Supreme Court on the Gore challenge and other claimed outrages, the president is who the Senate says is president, based upon the findings of the Electoral College. This may be an outmoded system, and it's especially hard to accept when it conflicts with the popular vote, but that's what the Constitution gives us.

I believe that the presidency and its incumbent deserve respect, though this should not inhibit us from criticizing the policies and decisions emanating from that office. But personal attacks — no.

T.J. McAniff
Mililani

Airlines also need support during war

Since we are at war, along with supporting our troops, we need to be supporting our airlines. We are more dependent on airlines than people living on the Mainland due to our geographical location.

If, for example, Hawaiian and United airlines went out of business, we'd be in big trouble. United is the largest airline serving Hawai'i, and a liquidation would have a devastating ripple effect on the Hawai'i (and U.S.) economy.

Besides the loss of available seats (which, considering the overall poor health of the U.S. airline industry, won't be easily replaced), there would be a significant loss of jobs (directly and indirectly) and tax revenue.

Airlines like United and Hawaiian are important cogs in the economy. So please remember when you're supporting our troops in Iraq to support our airlines.

Aaron Stene
Kailua, Kona, Hawai'i

What about pay hikes for other state workers?

I was surprised to read Gov. Lingle's comments concerning pay raises for legislators: "I think the worst possible situation is to have politicians who are in desperate financial situation and struggling to make it. I think that sets up a very bad situation."

I hope the governor is as concerned about the thousands of other people in this state, many of them state workers, who are struggling to make it on far less than the legislators are paid.

Or is the governor sending the message that only legislators are worthy of pay raises? The rest of the citizens can keep struggling.

Lou Zitnik
Hilo