Yep, just throw more money at the problem

Seasoned observers of the long-running state Department of Education shell game were safe in predicting that whatever else the "Reinventing Education" humbug might entail, it would certainly require even more money.

As one reads the recent account by Advertiser Capitol Bureau reporter Gordon Y.K. Pang ("BOE seeks additional $31.9M," Oct. 6), a nauseating sensation of déjà vu settles in. Indeed, the superintendent is quoted as stating that this additional funding is "critical ... as we reinvent education in Hawai'i to meet student achievement and raise our scores."

What this account did NOT include was news that on the same day, Windward District Hawai'i State Board of Education member Laura H. Thielen asserted that the DOE is proposing to reduce schools' control over budgets from 58 percent to as low as 32 percent of the total DOE budget. Her conclusion? "So much for the Act 51 'Reinventing Education.' It's business as usual, thanks to the majority of the Legislature and Board of Education."

Perhaps it is no coincidence that on the same day, Advertiser Big Island Bureau reporter Kevin Dayton alerted your readers that astronomers on Mauna Kea have discovered a new type of celestial object that defies normal classification: "It's too big to be a superplanet and too feeble to be a star" ("New type of object spotted in space"). What could this possibly be? Try this theory: It may very well be the cumulative mass of missing accountability successfully sloughed off by the DOE like a snake shedding its skin. If so, there is every reason to surmise this congealing mass is destined to grow.

When it comes to accountability for actual results, the lavishly funded DOE — now sucking almost $2 billion out of a struggling state economy each year — has all the ravening attributes of a voracious black hole. This gives rise to an obvious question: Since the DOE claims that so many schools are failing to meet their annual yearly progress academic test targets, just what in the heck is being done with all this money?

New Wahine team dream car come true

Have you seen Dave Shoji's new set of hot wheels? Not only can it zig, zag and bug opponents, but it has the gas mileage to go five when necessary.

In the past few years, watching coach Shoji and his Rainbow Wahine was like viewing a driver, all comfy and cozy, behind the wheel of a powerful Hummer, plowing over opponents on its way to the NCAA tournament. Graduation took Dave's Hummer away.

But surprise, surprise. Did Dave ever come up with a replacement. It's a Mini Cooper. Sporty, speedy and swift as can be, forcing Dave to drive it by the seat of his pants as it tools and fools its rivals into capitulation.

Epithets do not do this team justice whether they be the Kardiac Kids, Keystone Kops, Swiftah Sistahs, etc. Come see the Rainbow Wahine fly around the court. Come see coach Shoji work up a sweat. Come see this sporty version of Wahine volleyball hopefully roll over rivals just like a Stanley Steamer.

Be sure to vote in this critical election

To the more than 60 percent of registered voters who did not vote in the primary election, the general election will give you the chance to redeem yourselves. The purpose of registering, in the first place, was to vote; so, here is your opportunity to make your mark.

All votes are important to get a team in Washington, D.C., to solve our No. 1 problem of Iraq. Whether you vote for one party's candidates or another's, keep in mind who will best bring an agreeable conclusion to our dilemma and bring our troops home. We need the best at the White House.

Remember, you have three options in voting: absentee by mail, absentee walk-in or at the poll stations on Nov. 2.

Vote!

Hannemann gives voters transparency

I have watched with an open mind both Mufi Hannemann and Duke Bainum articulate their visions for the future of the City and County of Honolulu. I have made up my mind: I trust Mufi Hannemann will bring real, honest change to City Hall.

Hannemann offers voters transparency and good governance. He also has the experience, education, integrity and, most important, moral character that is required of a responsible mayor Honolulu deserves.

Duke Bainum offers a similar platform. And it is not unreasonable to conclude his personal wealth will make him more independent, however one defines it.

Mufi offers a more practical choice. He is an honest man.

Always bad-hair day for Martha Stewart

Over the years, many women have been relying on Martha Stewart's expert advice on their lifestyles.

I have noticed that some women newscasters and commentators have their hair styled to cover one eye, in the same manner as Martha Stewart's. They are constantly pushing their hair away from their eyes or tossing their heads.

I wonder about this. If Martha Stewart is unable to keep her hair out of her eyes, how can she be a fashion icon? Obviously, her vision was blinded as well.

PUC's hearing on Carlyle proposal was waste of time

The first in a series of hearings planned by the state Public Utilities Commission was a disappointment. Held Tuesday night to gather public comment about the proposed purchase of Verizon Hawaii by the Carlyle Group, only two of three PUC commissioners were present, and at best, they appeared to listen passively to a steady stream of witnesses asserting the value or the pitfalls associated with the deal.

Certainly, the spirit of public hearings is to gather public views and learn about the virtues and weaknesses in the proposal under review.

It was an hour into the proceedings before the chairman of the commission, in response to a question from one of those testifying, acknowledged that one of the commissioners could not be there. So, for the input from O'ahu, the largest bloc of customers and users in the entire network, one-third of the commission was absent.

Of the two commissioners present, one appeared to take not a single note in the entire two and a half hours of the proceedings. And neither commissioner asked a single question. This, in spite of serious misgivings and detailed suggestions about things that should be evaluated before rendering their decision.

Admittedly, some of the larger organizations testifying submitted their views in writing, and the commissioners will eventually have a transcript to read, but they squandered a great opportunity to get answers from the genuine experts in the room.

The chairman of the commission passively allowed one disorganized testifier to insult the commission, bully the audience and wander aimlessly for such a long period of time that numerous people left the room. This went on for 10 to 15 minutes before the testifier ran out of energy and wished everyone a happy Halloween before finally retiring from the lectern.

When, at the end of the evening, Carlyle Group managing director William Kennard (former FCC chairman) was offered the opportunity to rebut the slanderous accusations against Carlyle and the serious concerns expressed, he could only regret the "misinformation" presented by some and deal with the genuine concerns of others by expressing confidence that the written submissions had or would clear up any concerns raised.

So, the Carlyle/Verizon deal might be a good idea or a bad idea, but Tuesday night's hearing certainly did not shed a new understanding of which it may be.

Three classmates who made history

Henry Ho Wong had been in ill health for many years. He passed away last week, and Saturday was his memorial service. It was wonderful to observe the gathering of the Wong 'ohana and hear them sharing their memories and singing his favorite Hawaiian songs.

Many unfamiliar with Henry Wong may not have realized that he was largely responsible for obtaining the land upon which Castle Medical Center stands today. I recall how fondly he reminisced on his earlier days of playing in the old barefoot football league, how he talked of his earlier years as a paniolo, and of his struggles in learning the real estate operations under missionary descendant Harold Castle.

Those who knew him were aware of the quickness of his thoughts whenever he was faced with a problem, but also of the sharpness of his tongue when he wanted to make a point known. He made an impact on me, since almost in anonymity, he made contributions that affected my life. He and his wife, Colene, made significant donations to better the lives of many who are part of a neglected sector of our community, the chronically mentally ill.

Another man who made an impact on my life was the late Dr. O.A. Bushnell, one of the greatest medical historians, microbiologists and authors Hawai'i has ever had. Ozzie Bushnell called me one day in the early 1970s and said in his usual pidgin, "Eh, we go eat lunch." I did not know what he wanted but certainly knew of his reputation as a distinguished writer and scientist. Bushnell took me aside because he found out I was Hawaiian and he wanted to guide my career as a young psychiatrist with the medical school.

In the 1960s, I was a struggling and homesick medical student in Washington, D.C. I became quite fascinated in the koa reforestation of Hawai'i's mountain lands and somehow I had learned that then-Gov. John A. Burns was leading an effort in this area. I wrote to the governor, and his letters to me are now part of my wonderful collection of mementos. One can never forget the customary closing of his letters, "May the Almighty Be With You." I never thought that one day I would be a part of the faculty of a medical school that would be named after this great man.

Not too long ago, I was in Henry Wong's home and I was gazing at a photograph taken circa 1930. There were three young teenage boys in that photo, Henry Ho Wong, John A. Burns and O.A Bushnell, all classmates from St. Louis High School; all three subsequently made such a significant impact on the history of Hawai'i.

In the fantasy recesses of my mind, I can hear these three struggling high school students singing their alma mater together, "Upon Kalaepohaku's rugged slopes, St. Louis College with her noble aims ... "