Posted on: Wednesday, March 24, 2004

Letters to the Editor

Bickering will continue till all embrace change

I am disappointed to read about the bickering between the Board of Education and the education reformers. I believe the reason for this is that both sides are passionate.

The reformers are passionate because they want to make a change to improve public schools. BOE members are passionate because they want to protect their job security and the status quo. "Change" is a difficult word for some bureaucrats.

It's not that our public schools are failures. There are many dynamic teachers and students who thrive in public schools.

When you compare what the private schools or some Mainland public schools have in terms of plant facilities, academic course offerings, athletics and athletic facilities, art facilities, musical instruments and facilities, can you really agree that all of our public-school students are getting what they deserve and what is rightfully theirs? I don't think so.

Something needs to happen, and until parents, teachers, principals and politicians are willing to make some changes, the bickering will continue.

P.E. helps battle child obesity, diabetes

Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children applauds your editorial supporting physical education in Hawai'i's schools. Our pediatricians are reporting an epidemic of obesity, type II diabetes (which can often be prevented when a child's weight is normal) and poor physical fitness.

P.E. in schools allows children to learn skills essential for a healthy lifestyle, future participation in team sports and independent activities. P.E. provides children with more activity in a safe, supervised environment as part of their school day.

In his Feb. 21, 2004, "Prescriptions" column, Dr. Landis Lum described studies that show that P.E. actually enhances academic performance. These findings should help allay the fears of those who worry that more P.E. will have a negative effect on academic performance.

By the time medical help is sought for obese children, it is generally much harder to ameliorate the problem than if they had not become obese in the first place. We applaud the supporters of P.E. in schools — our children deserve to learn the importance of including a healthy level of activity and physical fitness in their lives.

Governor is thwarting reform of education

Gov. Lingle says education reform is her highest priority. Give me a break! Who is the only state department head not invited to the governor's Cabinet meetings? Pat Hamamoto, the head of the state's largest department, the Department of Education.

Our Legislature is currently considering many bills to advance education reform. In its original form, House Bill 2002 sought, among other things, to delink the DOE from other state agencies that are part of the bureaucracy that hampers our educational system. Isn't it interesting that, after the bill had unanimously passed second reading, several of the governor's department heads came before the Finance Committee to express opposition to the delinking measures in the bill? For example:

• The Department of Accounting and General Services opposed transferring responsibility for new construction to the DOE.
• The Department of Human Resources Development, which currently dictates the procedures for hiring all DOE personnel except principals and teachers, opposed transferring any of its staff to the DOE for these functions. It claimed it would severely curtail its responsibility as a public employer.
• The Department of Budget and Finance opposed waiving its control over the release of state funds appropriated by the Legislature for the operation of our schools.
• The state attorney general's office opposed transferring its responsibility and authority to provide (or not provide) legal representation to the DOE.

I had much hope for the "New Beginning" that Gov. Lingle promised me. In her campaign, she claimed she would bring a new era of accountability, efficiency and honesty to state government. If nothing else, I would at least like to see that honesty begin with her.

Michelle Wie should stick with Junior Golf

Michelle Wie is an outstanding golfer at the age of 14. Although I admire her game and positive attitude, I cannot help but feel that she should be spending her time with Junior Golf.

She, along with her parents, should be encouraged to make her mark in playing for her high school, college and then the LPGA.

Some have said that there is no competition for her at this time. Great! That comes with being in the prime of her life. She should reap these benefits.

I do wish her success and ask her to think about what she is missing at her age level.

Outsourcing actually can benefit workers

The recent articles about jobs lost overseas intrigues me. I have some personal experience in this area.

I had an "exportable" customer service, phone center job in the financial industry. Instead of whining, I took an educational opportunity from my employer, improved myself, and became a Series 7 licensed securities broker. Under current investment laws, it is unlikely that this job would be exported.

Plus, I could improve my financial situation even more by going out on my own.

The irony of it all is that the labor statistics would show this as a job lost, yet not reflect the creation of a new small business.

Bottom line, the export of some low-end jobs is actually good for the economy and for those who will take advantage of new opportunities. It's all about productivity and working smarter. I'm more productive and better compensated now, and I pay more in taxes. It's a win-win situation, except for the tax thing.

Jesus handily refused to comment on being gay

In a letter about Richard Chamberlain, Gary T. Kunishima stated "Mr. Chamberlain doesn't know who Christ is." I assert Kunishima doesn't know who Christians are and has not read the book he pretends to be quoting.

It was not his god who labeled certain acts "sodomy." It was more Christians misquoting the Bible. Jesus handily refused to comment on being gay.

Kunishima goes further and dictates to Mr. Chamberlain about "rationalizing his behavior." Behavior has nothing to do with who you love. It has nothing to do with what makes your heart sing.

This is the United States. Further, this is Hawai'i, and it would be totally ludicrous for this sniping fellow to demand we all be Christians in a culture that simply is not Christian, but instead is made up of people, like our Founding Fathers, who had different ideas.

You know, like Jesus did. The man was executed because he wanted folks to dump the ongoing ideas of what the locals thought was moral and proper.

Legislators are missing the message from voters

Unbelievable! First the proposed bill to tell the landlords of this state they must allow pets and now HB 2143, which would mandate how long businesses must honor gift cards.

I think I know what happened. The charge from constituents was misunderstood. We said to "Go — and with education and traffic, be wise," not "Go — and control private enterprise!"

Kamehameha financial aid should be broader

Regarding the March 21 article on non-Hawaiians obtaining scholarships from Kamehameha Schools: Not all Hawaiian students receive financial help from this scholarship pool, not even Kamehameha graduates.

Kamehameha Schools financially helps those who qualify for their services. However, students like me do not qualify because it is determined that our financial contribution is "sufficient" even when one must quit a full-time job to further his or her education.

Is this offensive to me? Highly.

How can we serve more Hawaiians? Lower the qualification standard so that alumni such as I can receive financial help as well.

Wilson Tunnels look to be in good shape

There has been a lot in the news lately about closing each of the Wilson Tunnels for 30 days to resurface the roadway inside. The stories compared asphalt to concrete, which was a little confusing. I checked, and the roadway in the tunnels now is concrete. Even at some 40 years of age, it is in pretty good shape. In fact, it is a whole lot better than hundreds of miles of roadways outside the tunnels.

Can't the Department of Transportation find something more in need of fixing and spend our money better? Going elsewhere would also avoid closing these critical transportation routes.

Legislators should drop focus on minor issues

I cannot fathom some of the actions of this Legislature.

Hawai'i is facing huge challenges such as a major drug epidemic, budget shortfall, public worker strikes, education rejuvenation, roadway deterioration and a number of other issues. Yet legislators are piddling around with stupid issues like the life of gift cards and gift certificates, revisiting a failed traffic camera system and taking away authority from the governor.

Surely these elected officials have enough of an education to understand the word priority. If not, it's time to learn it and act responsibly.

Don't look to New York for euthanasia guidance

Regarding the March 18 letter "New York task force opposed euthanasia": I take exception to Cary Mendes' claim that "the best balanced" information on the issue of assisted dying comes from the New York governor's task force.

As background, the task force first decided to tackle the issue in response to public concern following an Aug. 16, 1991, decision by the New York State Board for Professional Medical Conduct not to pursue any action against Dr. Timothy Quill.

Dr. Quill had written a prescription for a large dose of medication for his terminally ill patient, which she subsequently took and died.

The task force ultimately decided against making a recommendation to change existing New York law, which prohibits assisted dying. In reaching its conclusion, the task force noted that assisted dying was not sanctioned anywhere in the United States and there were concerns that such a law would be dangerous for certain segments of the population, including the poor, those with lack of access to good medical care and those belonging to stigmatized social groups.

That was in 1994, before Oregon enacted its Death With Dignity law. Six years of Oregon data reveal that those choosing to hasten their death tend to be well educated, financially secure and have healthcare insurance. In short, none of the fears expressed by the task force have been borne out.

Cary Mendes might be interested in knowing that more recently, in May 1999, the Hawai'i Governor's Blue Ribbon Panel on Living and Dying with Dignity, on which I served, voted 11 to seven in favor of legalizing assisted dying. Our recommendation was passed on to then-Gov. Ben Cayetano.

It appears both Cary Mendes and I agree that assisted dying can be ethically appropriate in extraordinary cases. Our only difference seems to be that Mendes is afraid legalization will ultimately lead to abuse, while I am confident it will not. Again, Oregon's six years of experience have demonstrated its assisted-dying law is working well, providing an option of last resort for the few who use it and tremendous peace of mind for thousands who never will.