TRANSIT

RAIL WILL BE GOOD FOR FUTURE OF THE ISLANDS

I was on the fence about the rail issue until I read the story comparing the city's claims and Stop Rail Now's claims.

It seems the anti-rail group's arguments are built largely on guesswork with a large dose of spin — they say traffic congestion will be worse with rail in the future. According to the article, congestion will be worse in the future no matter what is done. Rail will make it less worse, a reasonable claim.

And I was very surprised to read that Stop Rail Now doubts the ability of our congressional delegation to get federal funding. Time and again, our congressional representatives have delivered billions of dollars in federal money that means jobs for our economy. I will vote for rail on election day.

TOURISM

DON'T ADVERTISE ISLES, BETTER TO GIVE REBATES

Why is the Hawai'i Tourism Authority spending money on travel to promote Hawai'i?

That's not going to get people to come here; it's just a waste of money. Give people money back on their airfare so they can afford to come here, give them cheaper hotel rooms. That's the answer.

LINGLE

PRIORITY ON EDUCATION IS NOT CHANGING HERE

Lee Cataluna's implication in her Oct. 12 column that the current budget challenge allows Gov. Linda Lingle to fulfill some "political agenda" against the Department of Education is absurd.

The reality is the DOE cannot be exempt from the spending reductions all state departments are undergoing.

The DOE comprises half of our general fund state budget — $2.4 billion — more than any other area. Yet more money isn't always the answer. SAT scores have declined even as the DOE's budget has ballooned more than 150 percent over the past 10 years. The challenge is ensuring money is spent on students and classrooms, not DOE's central office.

The high priority on education will not change with spending cuts, nor should it. Gov. Lingle believes investing in our students' future is critical.

Gov. Lingle released more than a quarter billion dollars for school infrastructure upgrades this year.

Her administration formed innovative public-private partnerships to improve science, technology, engineering and math education. This includes a $1 million grant from NASA, which has helped increase robotics programs in schools from 95 in January to 221 today.

Another hands-on learning program, the Real World Design Challenge, engages students in engineering and aerospace. This national education initiative doesn't cost the state a dollar, but will provide students and teachers access to millions of dollars worth of professional engineering software and industry mentors from around the country.

In an area as important as education, the question isn't if we can do more with less, but how. It will require the same innovative spirit, resourcefulness and collaboration that teachers exercise every day in their classrooms.

PUT HAWAI'I NEEDS 1ST, MCCAIN CAMPAIGN 2ND

Our nation is facing the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, a situation Warren Buffett describes as "an economic Pearl Harbor." As a state, we are seeing signs of an economic downturn with fewer visitors, layoffs and companies closing their doors.

This is why it's critical all of us work together to find our way out of this situation. When Gov. Linda Lingle responded to the anticipated $45 million cut to the Department of Education by saying that it probably won't affect the classroom, she said this without having one meeting with the Board of Education.

How does she know, for example, what the proposed cuts will do to the students at charter schools without talking to them?

I do agree with Lingle when she said, "if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem." And the best way to be part of the solution is to provide the leadership and the presence necessary to get things done.

However, you can't do that when you are flying off to campaign for the McCain-Palin ticket or showing up in Denver for the release of the Hawai'i quarter.

In challenging times, we need to focus on what's important. We need to work collaboratively and cooperatively to seek common ground. And, more than ever, we need to put Hawai'i first and presidential politics second.

CONCON

WON'T MAKE DIFFERENCE IN HAWAI'I'S SCHOOLS

I agree with the headline of an Oct. 9 letter: "Unions should work to better Isle schools."

That is the common thread among those of us who are active in the union. We have dedicated our lives to teaching in the public schools and desire for them to be exemplary places where students are learning and thriving.

Involvement in the union empowers us with collective action to strive for quality public schools.

The National Education Association provided financial support because they recognize that what we are facing with the vote on a Constitutional Convention is part of a very big picture, related to a nationwide effort to funnel public tax dollars into private hands to increase private wealth at the expense of the common good. NEA is not a for-profit corporation that invests in a political campaign for capital gain. NEA is compelled to act on behalf of its members when their rights are threatened. Teachers don't have individual wealth and the power that comes with that. What we have is our collective power as union members.

Nothing that will make a difference — like well-equipped, safe schools, preschool education, smaller class sizes, community and parent involvement, a well-rounded education for the "whole" child — can be affected by having a Constitutional Convention. We don't need a ConCon to make a difference in the schools. We need more collective effort to pursue the changes that will make a difference.

FOOTBALL

UH HALFTIME SHOW EARNS APPLAUSE, KUDOS

Kudos go to the University of Hawai'i band members, dancers, band leaders and Willie K for a great performance during halftime of the University of Hawai'i homecoming game.

Each deserves recognition for a job well done.