Posted on: Friday, February 6, 2004

Letters to the Editor

Bill would allow for political subdivisions

I urge the people of Hawai'i, if you want to get your fair share and equal representation, to write to your government representatives (and Gov. Lingle) to support two key bills: HB574 and SB443 (see www.capitol.hawaii.gov/ and click Bill Status & Docs).

Passage of HB574 would put to a vote in the general election an amendment to the Hawai'i Constitution that would give authority to counties to create political subdivisions (i.e cities, towns, counties).

Passage of HSB443 would amend the Hawai'i Constitution to allow referendum, recall and initiative.

The centralized nature of our state government has failed miserably. Look at the Department of Education if you're seeking evidence of this failure.

I, for one, have lost faith that the current government setup of Hawai'i County will accomplish anything. Everything seems to be stuck behind red tape, or we don't have enough money to do that, or they try to force projects like Clifto's Kona Coast down our throats.

This is precisely the reason why we should be able to form our own West Hawai'i County. Hawai'i County, as it is presently constructed, has failed miserably to meet the needs of the entire Big Island.

School boards are not issue; public apathy is

The biggest problem is not the current statewide board versus the seven local boards, but rather voter apathy toward the people who run. How many registered voters can name all the current members of the Board of Education? Heck, I can't.

And from those who can, could you tell me how each person has voted on the issues and what the impact of their vote was? Does anyone know when the board meets and what the procedure for citizens testifying are? I bet very few do.

Name recognition is what gets people elected, not their platform, as illustrated by Lex Brodie getting elected while refusing to answer any questions or engage in any debates (thank you, very much).

If I thought that local school boards would solve this problem, I would support the move. Ditto for increasing the number of people on the current board. But neither proposal will. I think reducing the amount of seats on the board, making it easier for the media and the public to examine the front-runners and their policies, has a better chance of improving our schools.

Schools need more funds, not more boards

In her State of the State address, Gov. Lingle contended that for the Hawai'i schools: "The problem is not money. Hawai'i allocates $1.9 billion a year supporting our public school system, ranking us 14th in the nation."

That ranking came from a Lingle consultant, professor of corporate renewal William Ouchi. His ranking of 14th nationally is demonstrably false. For many years, the annual state rankings by Morgan Quitno Press have placed Hawai'i at or near the bottom of the 50 states in school funding. Its 2003 ranking puts the state at 49th.

More recently, the Jan. 7 issue of "Education Week" placed Hawai'i 40th nationally. Whichever basis for ranking of public school funding is applied, inadequate funds are evident in serious effects. Among them are 50th rankings for Hawai'i's teacher average salaries and beginning salaries adjusted for cost of living. Also, about half of all new teacher hires are uncertified. Most are ignored by Gov. Lingle.

These financial difficulties of Hawai'i's public school system undoubtedly are linked to the low SAT scores of our students — 40th nationally. The ill repute of Hawai'i schools is why so many Hawai'i parents try to afford enrollment in private schools — fourth highest in per capita enrollments.

Hawai'i's centralized school system gains from the same cost efficiencies that help giant and ever-growing corporations. Especially important is that Hawai'i ranked highest (No. 1) in financial fairness to individual schools among the states, followed by New York and New Jersey.

Hawai'i schools need more money to spread throughout the system. More school boards will take more state funds and worsen public education.

It's important to study public school issues

During the current legislative session, the parents of Hawai'i's students will hear and read various views and positions on public school governance. The state Parent, Teacher, Student Association (PTSA), the state's largest and oldest child advocacy organization, would like to share its position on the subject of school governance.

We reaffirm our support of full funding, implementation and evaluation of effective School/Community-Based Management boards in all DOE schools.

We support school governance that empowers all segments of the school/community in shared decision-making that clearly defines the lines of accountability and responsibility, and places resources more directly toward students, teachers and the school community it serves.

We also take the position that any proposal to change Hawai'i's public schools' governance structure, which would require a state constitutional amendment and by statute must be placed on the ballot, should be presented to the public.

The PTSA encourages its members, all parents, guardians and citizens of Hawai'i to study the issues relating to education. Parent involvement is one of the cornerstones to student achievement. We urge you to carefully weigh the effects any proposed legislation would have on our keiki, so that if, and when, there's an opportunity to vote, you will make an informed decision.

Married couple doing well after transplant

I'm just writing in to update everyone as to what is happening with the "Couple matched for life" (Lee Cataluna's column on Jan. 20).

You see, the transplant recipient is my sister, and our family has just returned from San Francisco, where Julie and her husband, Jeff, underwent a long, difficult transplant operation.

Thanks to all the prayers and support they have received, I am happy to report the transplant was a success and both of them are doing great. They will need to stay in San Francisco for about a month, and if all continues to go well, they will be able to come back home. I know they are grateful for all the prayers and are looking forward to a speedy recovery and to returning home.

Done right, light rail is the best solution

Here's what I know about light rail:

• Travel to Pittsburgh from South Park was like commuting here — a single main artery into the city. Commute time by car was one hour-plus; add 30 minutes for accidents. Then by light rail, 45 minutes or less.

• I paid $60 for a monthly pass. Driving cost me $20 per week for gas, $6 per day for parking. My insurance dropped due to lower annual mileage and reduced exposure to reckless drivers.

• Trains were modern, comfortable and safe. During rush hour, they were full; during off-hours, half-full.

Pittsburghers loved the train — it gave them time to read, nap or chat. They often took it into the city for carefree evenings. Oh yes, while in Pittsburgh, my blood pressure dropped to new lows.

In summary, it was win-win for all concerned. Done right, there's no doubt in my mind that it's the best solution to our traffic problems.

Air ambulance crew were indeed heroes

Thank you to The Honolulu Advertiser for timely and sensitive coverage of the tragic loss of the Hawai'i Air Ambulance aircraft.

While serving Hawai'i for almost 20 years as an emergency physician, I had many interactions with Mandy Shiraki. Such work is extremely challenging, both emotionally and physically. Many practitioners suffer burnout as their early passion is overrun by daily despair, tragedy and bitterness.

I will remember Mandy as one of very few EMS professionals who maintained optimism, integrity and a sense of humor. He was a superb leader and professional despite intense pressures.

No less than our soldiers in Iraq, Mandy, Ron Laubacher and Joseph Villiaros are American heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our health, happiness and way of life.

Emergency, utility crews showed heart

On a peaceful Sunday morning (Jan. 18), a shattering crash and a wail of the alarm from our parked car brought us rushing out of the house. A truck had lost its brakes and crashed into my brother's car and the telephone pole next to our house. The pole splintered as it crashed across the street. Electrical, telephone and television cable wires were strewn all over the street.

The call to 911 immediately brought the police, firefighters and ambulance and electrical crews to attend to the emergency. Fortunately, the driver of the truck was not seriously injured.

We are extremely grateful to the Hawaiian Electric crew, who worked all day and night to restore electrical power and clear the wires from Bertram Street.

Only when confronted by such an emergency can one really appreciate the efficiency and kindness of the police, firefighters, ambulance and Hawaiian Electric crews. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Bank merger would be bad for Hawai'i

Regarding the Feb. 4 article "State OKs City Bank takeover": The motto of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (the state agency that oversees the Division of Financial Institutions) is "Upholding of Fairness in the Market Place."

Tuesday's ruling by Nick Griffin is furthest from fairness. The merger between Central Pacific Bank and City Bank would greatly diminish (1) choice for Hawai'i residents in selecting a bank that best suits their needs, (2) fair fee competition among financial institutions and (3) jobs and the longtime tradition of "aloha" banking the community has relied on for many years.

The ruling demonstrates once again the state of Hawai'i's ability to undermine the best interests of its citizens. We should invite banks to do business in Hawai'i — attract institutional and international financial companies, telling the world that Hawai'i is the financial hub of the Pan-Pacific area. Instead, we limit ourselves to the dominance of five main local banks. The allegiances and pressures from the "old-boy network" of Hawai'i bankers seem to outweigh the state's conscience of creating a fair banking climate.

Expert reports are available on fluoride

Fluorides are naturally occurring compounds in water, with concentrations varying from site to site. Hawai'i residents can check credible expert reports, from the American Dental Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to make a sound judgment on the merits of water fluoridation.

Toxicity? Fluorine and hydrogen fluoride, at high doses, can irritate skin, eyes and respiratory tract, along with causing tooth and bone damage, according to the ATSDR. It also says (www.atsdr.cdc. gov/tfacts11.html) that low-level fluorides can be helpful in preventing dental cavities. Though often done, it is unsound at the least, intellectually false at the worst, to lump potential risks from high and low levels of a substance. Even excessive water consumption in a short period — fluoridated or not — can cause seizures under some circumstances. Still, few would argue that the risks of water intake outweigh the benefits. High concentrations of oxygen, a highly flammable substance, have caused lung problems in some premature babies.

According to the CDC Recommendations for Using Fluoride to Prevent and Control Dental Caries (Cavities) in the United States of Aug. 17, 2001 (www.cdc.gov/ mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5014a1.htm), "Fluoridated community drinking water and fluoride toothpaste are the most common sources of fluoride in the United States and are largely responsible for the low risk for dental caries for most persons in this country." And "Community water fluoridation is a safe, effective and inexpensive way to prevent dental caries."

Full employment tactic

Please allow a practicing dental hygienist to make a tongue-in-cheek comment regarding the passage of a thinly disguised anti-fluoridation bill by the City Council.

What do pothole-repair specialists and dentists on O'ahu now have in common?

Job security.