TRANSIT

MAYOR HANNEMANN IS ADDRESSING CHANGE

This is in response to the Aug. 10 letter on transit, "Don't residents get more of a say?"

It frustrates me when I read about those who are against rail transit and point their fingers at Mayor Mufi Hannemann.

These issues were discussed in many meetings over the years. If Rene Mansho had voted yes many years ago, we wouldn't have wasted so many tax dollars, and this issue would have been resolved.

We sit in traffic daily with the hot sun staring in our face to and from work. On a recent day, we sat in traffic for more than an hour because of an accident, and many of us were late for work.

If we had the rail system, this wouldn't have occurred. This is about change, and that is what the mayor is addressing.

You say Mayor Hannemann is arrogant in the debate on transit solutions. Mayor Hannemann doesn't sit on his 'okole doing nothing. He has been on top of this issue about the rail system.

When the issues of homelessness were addressed, he volunteered and helped clean up the beaches. That is what you call a mayor who shows his true colors. Mayor Hannemann is a people person, and that is why the citizens of Honolulu voted him into office.

ISLAM

MIDEAST HATRED RAISES INTRIGUING QUESTION

In his Aug. 14 letter, Fred Metcalf states, "It is our past actions and attitudes in the Mideast that are the causes of the hatred and terrorism against us."

He is absolutely correct. As the terrorist leaders have told us many times, they will continue to attack us until we all change our attitude and convert to Islam.

If we all became Muslim, including Fred, the hatred of us by Islamic terrorists would disappear. But, should we convert to Shiite or Sunni Islam?

SECOND QUARTER

HAWAIIAN TEL PROFIT A MIND-BLOWING NUMBER

It really blew my mind when I read about Hawaiian Telcom's $21.4 million second-quarter profit. And, I'm being charged $100 in order to have a lifeline phone installed!

No wonder they are reaping a profit at the expense of the (you should pardon the expression) little guy. I'm not so little, and definitely not a guy.

I hope they choke on the money.

ADOPTION

BABIES, PARENTS EACH 'CHOSEN' AS SPECIAL GIFT

Your article on adoptions ("Adoption's nature changing," Aug. 12) references the "revolution" of society's attitudes toward adoptions.

It's more an "evolution" of sociological changes — an acceptance that adoptions are now an integral part of society's norms from both the biological mother's standpoint as well as the adopting parents.

The article also says "people were ashamed" they couldn't make babies. I know well over 200 couples dating back to the 1970s who have adopted, and not one husband or wife ever referred to any such personal feelings.

Yes, a significant majority were unhappy and disappointed as my wife and I were, but never ashamed that they couldn't have their own. I don't believe such a stigma existed to draw such comment.

My two children were adopted in the early and mid '70s. Not only did my wife and I feel our children were "chosen" for us, but that we were also "chosen" for them.

From the day we picked them up at the hospital and brought them home to Hawai'i, the word adoption was a part of their vocabulary.

Over their cribs was a framed poem that we read to them constantly. It said: "Not flesh of my flesh or bone of my bone but still miraculously my own. Never forget for a single minute you didn't grow under my heart but in it."

I still get a lump in my throat when I think of that poem.

Life takes on a whole new meaning when you hold in your arms God's gifts to you.

HOME RUNS

ANY WAY YOU COUNT IT, AARON BESTS BABE RUTH

Regarding Cathryn M. Downes' Aug. 15 letter, "Babe Ruth still rules on home-run record."

Babe Ruth played when there were 154 games in a season. Had he played in seasons with 162 games, as there are now, he would have hit 751 home runs, not 1,016.

Henry Aaron had 755 home runs during his career — which spanned a time in which there were mostly 162 games per year. His career included eight years in which there were only 154 games played per year. So Henry Aaron would also have hit more than his 755 homeruns if he had played when there were 162 games played in each of his years.

Either way, Henry Aaron's 755 is more than Babe Ruth's 714 (or 751 in 162-game seasons).

So one can argue the case for Henry Aaron still being the all-time home-run champion if Barry Bonds' total should be disallowed because of his alleged steroid use.

EDUCATION

HOMEWORK IMPORTANT FOR ELEMENTARY KIDS

On Aug. 13, The Advertiser published a thoughtful column by Jay Mathews regarding elementary school homework ("Eliminate homework; let 'em read," Page E1).

I teach middle school in southern Vermont, and I have a background teaching about disability issues. I agree with Mathews and his source, Alfie Kohn, that elementary homework is sometimes unnecessary. Also, I agree reading should be a celebrated activity, as enjoyable and frequent as possible.

However, I break ranks with their apparent view that most elementary-level homework is better unassigned. Given good directions and content, homework is very important. Kids need to practice skills, and home is a great place to practice good work habits.

Also, Kohn and Mathews don't show much awareness of students with learning difficulties. Reading can be harder for these kids, who sometimes need different and fun learning activities and a lot of hard work to keep things positive and manageable. But without homework, they would fall way behind.

Good luck to everyone with the hard, but extremely valuable, work of helping people to learn.

NCLB

NEW TEACHING SYSTEM COUNTERACTS LEARNING

Only by reading between the lines can one view the big picture. The Department of Education "improved" test scores by cutting away from the tests any material covered in previous years — or, as they call it, making it grade specific.

So aren't they admitting that material learned is quickly forgotten?

Or maybe No Child Left Behind simply has unrealistic expectations in it.

All the new test proves is that if you drill information into students hard enough, they can regurgitate it — if you test them quickly enough. That's not learning and it's so boring that it drives many kids away from a life of reading and learning.

I could write down everything I can recall from college on three sheets of paper. But those three pages would explain how I think about the world around me.

Why shouldn't high school provide the same experience?

TRAFFIC

DRIVERS NEED TO BE PATIENT WITH BICYCLISTS

I am a retired senior citizen. I bicycle most of the time to get around. Most drivers I see are very considerate and cautious and do not have the same attitude as in Mr. Mark Yasuhara's letter ("Rush-hour prohibition needed for bicyclists," Aug. 4).

Bicyclists are at the mercy of drivers. So be patient and careful with us. We might be people you know. Besides, how fast can you get to where you are going during rush hour anyway?

Bicycling on sidewalks is allowed, except Downtown and in Waikiki. However, some sidewalks are not safe, and we are forced to ride on the road.

We have as much right to be on the road as you. So just be patient.

But if you get frustrated being in traffic so long, go get yourself a bike. You'll save not only money, but your heart as well.

FIRES

OWNERS OF FALLOW LAND SHOULD FOOT THE BILL

The fires along the ridges and gulches of O'ahu's North Shore are devastating to both private and public lands.

Some native forest and agricultural crops have been lost, and taxpayers will bear the burden of the cost of fighting the fires.

This is not the way it should be. The large landowners who allowed the land to go fallow and let it grow California grass and weeds are culpable and should be made to pay for the loss. They created what was an attractive nuisance and, eventually, a tinderbox that ignited and destroyed people's livelihood and the public's natural resources, and they should be made to foot the bill.

APPRECIATION

ELDERS GAVE US GOOD LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES

Recently, I attended the funeral of my 91-year-old great-aunt, Mildred Nakamichi.

Her funeral was not large, but those who were there truly loved and missed her.

It was commented on that her generation was a different breed of people: tough. If we could be half the person she was, we could be proud.

But I noticed something as I sat there listening. In the midst of our grief, there was laughter. It started as knowing nods and gentle smiles as people recounted special memories. The smiles became soft chuckles, and then laughter, as people remembered the good times.

I realized then that the older generation had been telling us their secrets for years. All those stories about waking up at dawn to work in the cane fields, pinching pennies, sacrificing everything for the children were not to chastise us, but to teach us.

Our venerable relatives had been trying to teach us that if we knew hardship, worked hard and sacrificed for others, we would be happy and appreciate the simple things in life. We would be tough enough to get through the hard times, human enough to laugh at ourselves and understanding enough to accept others as they are.

If we appreciate the simple things like bacon and eggs and Vegas, maybe we'll live to be not just another 90-year-old, but cherished as a mother, a grandmother, a sister and a friend. Then, we can be proud.