Where's the outcry over canceled class?

I am appalled that there has been no outcry from the Hawaiian community or any of our so-called Hawaiian leaders on the Leeward Coast when Nanakuli High School dropped Hawaiian language from its curriculum.

It was stated that the Hawaiian language would be dropped for two years, and perhaps even longer. The reason was vague and not completely clear, but it seemed to come down to money and attendance.

The Department of Education, the Board of Education and the state administration know, or at least they should, that many of our schools sit on ceded lands. These lands don't generate a dime of revenue for Hawaiian youth, and yet every year our people must compete with other programs for funds. One would hope that the state would consider the continuation of the Hawaiian language curriculum as partial payment for the use of ceded lands.

The very survival of the Hawaiian culture depends on the language's ability to stay alive. Without the Hawaiian language, the ways of our ancestors and the Hawaiian culture itself will surely parish.

An alternate avenue to consider is offering a class in Hawaiian after school or during the evening to accommodate all of those who are interested.

There has been no response from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Department of Hawaiian Homelands or any other prominent native organization, so I'm unsure if any alternate avenues have been discussed or even considered. I sincerely hope that a compromise is reached that prevents this situation from repeating itself in other public learning institutions.

Strykers will also bring empty promise

The Strykers are coming to Hawai'i, and with this brigade comes another empty military promise to spend millions over a five-year period to mitigate future damages to the surrounding environment and existing cultural sites.

I am convinced that the military has not proven to be a good steward of the lands it occupies, despite its supposed concern for and commitment to our island home. I am convinced that the military has done more cultural and environmental damage than it can repair, despite its boasts to have spent millions for mitigation in the last few years.

With my own eyes, I have seen that the military has beaten and burned the sacred places of Kaho'olawe and Makua beyond recognition. It has bulldozed and bombed fishing shrines, heiau, gravesites and petroglyphs. All of these permanent scars are a reminder of the military's lack of concern for our Islands, but furthermore, for our home.

How long will we continue to stand idle while acres of land are transformed and misused, countless numbers of native plants and cultural sites are threatened, and thousands of concerned local voices ignored?

Reduce congestion by widening Kahekili

The state should widen Kahekili Highway between Ha'iku Road and the Kahalu'u sewage-treatment plant area.

There is a bottleneck, being that it goes from two lanes to one lane in both directions. There are many subdivisions within this area, and the traffic is very bad.

Both drivers, police ignore HOV rules

On the HOV lane: I am amazed each day as I travel from town to my home at the number of residents who either cannot read or have a blatant disregard for rules.

The HOV lane is clearly marked as to the type of vehicles or the number of passengers required in a car for using the HOV lane. Thus far, my experience is that that lane provides about 5 more minutes to getting to my destination.

I am also amazed that law enforcement chooses not to enforce the rules.

I realize that it may seem frustrating to be stuck in traffic; however, if one were to spend one day in other cities with much more congestion than we have here, then one might just be more patient.

Release the money to fight ice epidemic

Again I am amazed at the ability of Gov. Lingle to talk out of both sides of her mouth.

While she and Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona go through the shibai of an Ice Summit to find "solutions" to the ice epidemic in Hawai'i, our Legislature responded by passing Act 40 to provide more intervention and treatment dollars to our state. Far from perfect, but a fairly good first step in the efforts to control this scourge on our community.

However, while our governor is off in the Big Apple pursuing her larger political ambitions, the money that would provide much-needed funds to fight the drug problem in our state is sitting in political limbo awaiting more study of the problem.

Year after year, treatment providers are required to submit outcome data. There is more data than most statisticians would drool over. Yet our governor wants to study the problem further. Whatever the politics are, release the money, Governor. You owe that to the state!

Kapolei Library owes much to Campbell

The opening of the Kapolei Public Library is a true demonstration of a community coming together for a good purpose. Kapolei residents and businesses have donated countless hours and resources to make this dream for Kapolei a reality.

I especially want to recognize the outstanding generosity of Campbell Estate and the James and Abigail Campbell Foundation for their support of the Kapolei Public Library. They recognized the value and importance of a library to a community from the beginning and showed their tremendous support by donating the three acres of land on which the library sits today. In addition, the estate and foundation contributed $100,000, which allowed the library to purchase books and other materials. Because of this donation, the library was able to acquire the materials that formed its initial book collection. They also contributed $1,000 that helped to cover the expenses for our grand opening celebration.

On behalf of the Hawaii State Public Library System, I would like to say thank you again to Campbell Estate, the James and Abigail Campbell Foundation, and our many community volunteers.

Costly gas may impose rail mass transit on us

In his latest screed, Cliff Slater again beats the drum against rail mass transit. In some flight of fantasy, he advocates building another level above the H-1 to carry more automobiles from the 'Ewa Plain into Honolulu. What does he think will happen when the autos reach their destination?

The solution to traffic congestion will come soon enough, and it will be the Middle East and OPEC that deliver it.

In the same edition, The Advertiser points out that Honolulu's gasoline prices are the highest in the nation. The end of cheap oil is here, and we'd better learn to live with it. It will mean painful adjustments to our lifestyle, and not everyone will have the luxury of having an automobile.

As for Honolulu's current traffic congestion, Bangkok had the same problem, and an outside force resolved it. In the 1990s, Bangkok's streets were so choked with traffic that the only way to move about the city was to hire motorcycle taxis that could jump up on the sidewalks to get businessmen from one point to another. The 1997 economic collapse of the Asian economy and the devaluation of the Thai baht cleared the streets overnight.

Fortunately, the city fathers were well along with the building of a major arterial elevated sky-train that moved Bangkok's citizens quickly throughout the city. This year, Bangkok also opened a modern subway that adds to its ability to move people efficiently.

Hong Kong takes a different approach to traffic congestion by charging about $5 per gallon of gas, a high tax on registration and parking as high as $20 a day. Singapore charges a 195 percent import duty on autos, high license fees and a stiff fee to any auto driver who wants to enter the heart of the city. In Singapore, a Honda Accord will cost you $75,000 along with $5 a gallon of gasoline. Most Singaporeans opt for public transit.

Until the city administration has the political will to act on mass transit, people like Slater will continue to call for more roads to be built.

What the next administration officials need to do, before the Middle East does it for them, is to stop subsidizing parking for city and state employees and raise the gas tax and registration fees to reflect the economic realities of life on a remote island. Once that very bitter pill is swallowed, the city can start building a world-class elevated, high-speed transit above the H-1 to move people between work, school and home.

Teacher shortage? Are you kidding?

Regarding your teacher shortage article ("Hawai'i schools short 357 teachers," Aug. 26): I am a business professional with a master's in education and wanted to explore elementary school teaching, especially fourth grade. I called the UH-Manoa education department for guidance. This is more or less verbatim:

Me: I am interested in teaching fourth grade (and gave my academic credentials). How can I make this happen?

UH: It will take you four years to get another undergraduate education degree, and a year of teaching practicum, before you can even apply for a position.

Me: I already have a BA in social sciences and a masters in education, but I have to get another BA?

UH: Of course.

Me: Are there night classes available? I would have to still work while taking courses.

UH: If you were really serious about teaching, you would quit your job and take day classes.

Me: For four or five years before I could apply for a job?

UH: Well, no. You would also need to pass the test (PRAXIS) before you apply for any position. It is not likely you would get a job.

Me: I thought there was a shortage of elementary school teachers?

UH: There is, especially at the fourth-grade level.

Me: I'd be almost ready to retire by that time.

UH: Yes, but you should have thought of that earlier in your life.

All I can say is, I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP. I have a tough time listening to the wolf cry about teacher shortages.