China star-rates its toilets; so should we

I just returned from an unforgettable and most memorable tour of mainland China. Needless to say, my stereotype image of China has completely changed — I was especially impressed with how clean and modern were the cities that we visited.

One of the Western conveniences that was most welcomed by this tourist was the availability of "American toilets" at all of the major tourist spots in the cities I visited. Additionally, in preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, the government is doing everything it can to make the city and the tourist facilities as clean and comfortable as it can.

For example, all of the bathrooms at the major tourist attractions are rated by the Beijing Tourism Administration. One bathroom at a tourist destination received a four-star rating. This means that it is not only clean, but that — in addition to traditional "Oriental toilets" — it has "American toilets" for its guests.

In view of my experiences in China, I strongly recommend to the Hawai'i Tourism Authority that it seriously consider rating the public toilets in Hawai'i so we can all be encouraged to keep our public bathrooms clean and presentable. For example, we could have star-rated toilets at Hanauma Bay, Honolulu Zoo, Kapi'olani Park, Ala Moana Park, Sea Life Park, Polynesian Cultural Center, etc.

We also could have the restrooms at our shopping centers rated. After all, if it's important to have star-rated hotels in our Islands, why not have star-rated bathrooms?

Waterfront warehouse makes no sense at all

I was shocked and dismayed when I read the news about the upcoming four-story storage facility that will be built on a parcel of land behind the Hawai'i Kai Towne Center.

Just what Hawai'i Kai needs — another obtrusive, unsightly, unnecessary storage facility. This parcel of land, with its beautiful Marina and Koko Head view, could certainly have been utilized in a more useful manner that capitalized on the view instead of obstructing it.

Individuals need to rethink the logic and common sense of having more stuff than their current dwellings can hold. Where is the logic involved in "paying rent" to house excess stuff?

Roundabout is better than all-way stop

Indulge me in trying to straighten out what some are saying about the roundabout in Foster Village.

Since Foster Village was first built in the late '50s, there has only been a stop sign on one side of this intersection. How many of those who signed the petition against the roundabout were first informed that the alternative would be the installation of new stop signs in all directions? My father-in-law told me he would not have signed the petition if he had known this because an all-way-stop would really back up traffic.

There are also claims that a roundabout will not be safe. Are these folks aware that this is not the first roundabout in Hawai'i?

In fact, there have been nearby roundabouts for a year, one by Moanalua High School and one by Salt Lake Elementary School. They have reduced the number of accidents and put pedestrians safely on crosswalks over single lanes of one-way traffic.

Foster Village's new roundabout is a solution that will safely slow traffic without forcing it to a full stop and add to pedestrian safety.

Some more questions for Pat Hamamoto

The Advertiser community board's meeting with Schools Superintendent Pat Hamamoto would have been more informative if she were asked:

• Since heterogeneous classes have never worked to raise student success, would you support returning to the homogenous system? Improving self-esteem was the reason given for mixing fast and slower learners, but wasn't it to accommodate complaining teachers who were always stuck with slow learners?

• With a homogenous system, would we still have need for charter schools? And if so, shouldn't there be charter schools for the slower learners? Aren't these the ones who are more likely to drop out of school, be unemployed, on welfare, in trouble with the law, etc.?

• Would you support experienced teachers returning to their former schools in disadvantaged areas for two years? This would allow their positions to be used by beginning teachers. The advantages are many.

• Why are some teachers in the same school getting results and others not?

• Would you support stabilizing teacher positions and end the use of disadvantaged area schools as entry points of hire?

• Has any thought been given to establish an independent authority that would listen to and resolve student complaints?

• Has the DOE or BOE suggested or supported the idea of classes on how children learn for parents in areas of need? Are you familiar with noted author Joan Beck's book "How to Raise a Brighter Child," which is an excellent resource on this subject?