WALDORF

MANY NIU NEIGHBORS SUPPORT HIGH SCHOOL

Whoa! It's hard enough to shrug off the exaggerated talk of some folks in the Niu Valley neighborhood, but when Lee Cataluna weighs in with her not-inconsiderable local-style reputation, it really stings.

I wish that Ms. Cataluna had looked a little deeper into the situation. There are more than a few neighbors who support the school, some whose children and grandchildren attend or have attended the school, and some who have seen what we are striving to do.

I have been teaching at the Waldorf School since 1980, and worked with a group of parents and teachers for 10 years to plan the high school to complete the last four years of a unique educational program. We are very proud of our high school and the quality of young people we have been sending out into the world.

The 70 students in our high school are baffled and hurt by the signs that say they are unwanted. The high school students believe, as I do, that those who are so bitterly opposed to the high school on our Niu Valley campus have no idea what kind of a school we are, or what kind of students they are.

Aren't we entitled to get a decision on the neighbors' appeal to the zoning board? The zoning board has not been able to make a decision after eight months.

What other recourse does the school have to obtain a timely ruling on this matter?

All of us who have long enjoyed and respected Lee Cataluna's local point of view would appreciate it if she would give a fairer, more balanced picture of what's going on in Niu Valley.

TEACHERS

RANDOM DRUG TESTS KEEP WORKERS HONEST

The American Civil Liberties Union's threat to sue the Lingle administration in federal court is a fine example of the secular progressive agenda of that organization.

The governor's action is geared to provide added protection to the students of this state and she is to be applauded for it. The ACLU's intent is to destroy the fundamental principles of the country by needless and costly suits.

To think an employee must be free of any performance-related scrutiny doesn't make sense. Random drug testing has been used for years and is not a violation of the constitution of this state or this country. I read both documents again and cannot find anything close to it being a violation.

Random drug testing is a valuable option to the employer, and ultimately the public, in an attempt to keep people honest and to reduce the exposure of our youth to drugs.

I definitely say NO to drugs when it comes to the youth of this state.

CALL CENTER

HAWAIIAN AIRLINES IS NOT LOCAL ANYMORE

Tried calling Hawaiian Airlines recently? They are not local anymore. All calls are routed to a nameless call center in the Philippines, and though the young employees try hard, they have less than a full command of the English language.

I'm still not sure if my ticket costs $517 or $578. After the fourth time of asking the agent to repeat the figure, I was frustrated and she embarrassed. Hopefully, my son is destined for Portland, Ore. I waited five minutes to speak to a supervisor, but his English was only slightly better. When I asked to speak to somebody at Hawaiian in Hawai'i, he said he couldn't (or wouldn't) transfer me.

A couple of years ago, you could call a local number and speak with a local employee who understood what it meant to fly kids to/from the Mainland for the holidays and at spring break — their kids might have been on the same flight. They gave you good advice, recommended the best times and flights. No more.

Hawaiian is no longer Hawaiian.

STATION STOPS

LIVELIHOODS A CONCERN IN TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT

The Waipahu Business Center sits in the heart of Waipahu along Farrington Highway, a reminder of the town's past amidst the box stores, with roots in the community going back more than 40 years.

Charley Nishioka faced numerous hardships in his 92 years as a resident of the Leeward community, but he eventually built a number of successful family businesses that were enclosed within the center.

At a recent community meeting, the city announced its plans to build a transit station directly in front of the center due to an existing bus stop behind the center. The announcement was of great concern for Mr. Nishioka's family, who have managed his properties since his retirement.

The family's concerns are justified. In 1944, the U.S. government condemned Mr. Nishioka's farm in 'Ewa Beach and he was forced to relocate. He eventually took over a service station; however, in the early 1960s, the state condemned his service station to widen Farrington Highway.

The mayor has often stated that his administration will not condemn any land for the proposed fixed guideway, and I hope they keep to that promise. I would like to remind them that in planning this much-needed $5 billion project, many along the route need the reassurance that their concerns are being met.

Charley Nishioka's story is one of the many we will hear about in the coming months. Without careful planning and proactive communication with the community, their livelihood will be severely affected.

TRAFFIC

KEEP BIG TRUCKS OFF ROADS BEFORE 9 A.M.

Just think how nice it would be if large trucks would not be allowed on all roads until after 9 a.m. during weekdays.

HONOLULU AIRPORT

WIKI WIKI BUSES ARE AN UNPLEASANT RIDE

I never take the Wiki Wiki buses. I feel sorry when I see tourists lining up for the bus, which will take them on an unpleasant, short trip that will drop them two floors above their desired destination. It's either too hot or too cold, usually jam-packed, with most standing cheek-to-jowl while the buses lurch around. And now they smell.

In most cases, a short and rather pleasant walk will take arriving passengers to baggage claim.

Deplaning passengers should be advised as to the time it will take to walk to baggage claim from their gates.

And the state should find a better way to move people.

CONGRESS

SENATORS MUST ENFORCE U.S. IMMIGRATION LAWS

Immigration reform will become a reality as we the people identify senators who are against enforcing immigration laws and do everything in our power to remove them from office and replace them with qualified senators who are determined to enforce our immigration laws. Identify the culprits at Better immigration.com

VACATION RENTALS

B&B DISPUTE SHOWS LACK OF ALOHA IN ISLES

People opposed to vacation rentals say that the increased traffic and numerous strangers in their neighborhoods caused by short-term rentals create problems.

Now Keep It Kailua is complaining that owners are finessing the 30-day occupancy rule by renting to short-term visitors on a monthly basis, even if the visitors only stay a few days. As long as a house is not rented more than once a month, how is that a violation? I would think that Keep It Kailua would be happy that a house is only occupied for a few days or weeks in a month, because that reduces the impact that those opposed to short-term rentals say is the problem.

If owners are signing multiple monthly contracts to different people during a month, that is different, but if the house is only rented once during a month (regardless of how many days it is actually occupied) I fail to see how that can be considered a violation.

What about a long-term rental where the tenant suddenly changes his mind and leaves before the month is up? Is the owner now in violation? Can that house not be rented again until the month is over?

The whole concept of opposition to vacation rentals is interesting when compared to Ireland, where bed-and-breakfast rentals are encouraged by the government as a way for people to continue to own their homes and increase tourism and the income that tourists bring. Apparently Ireland has more aloha than jealous people in Hawai'i.

CONSERVATION

RECREATIONAL FISHING LICENSES GOOD IDEA

In the past, the State of Hawai'i has been reluctant to follow suit with other states in creating a recreational saltwater fishing license.

Yet in other states, shoreline fishing is very productive, enforcement officers are very prominent and serious consideration is extended to the native people. Given our current crisis of resource depletion, perhaps it is time for our state to make a change.

A fishing license would provide more funding for enforcement. Undoubtedly, we need more. It could also allow an officer to at least search a cooler or catch bag. Why should abusers go unchecked while the rest of us who follow the rules suffer the effects of their efforts? Most importantly, a fishing license would be an effective way to quantify the number of fishermen in Hawai'i. This would give the fishermen a voice.

Our governor often speaks of innovation and moving our state forward. Perhaps it is time we move away from how we used to manage our fisheries, which obviously isn't good enough, and move forward into a new era of conservation.

Sadly, times do change, the fish that once were are no longer. Shall we continue on as we have, or do we adapt and overcome the detriments of time?

ENVIRONMENT

REUSE EXISTING BAGS WHEN GOING SHOPPING

With regard to biodegradable plastic bags, has anyone thought of charging 5 cents a bag like most stores in Canada do?

If that was to start, more people would be willing to either bring in their old plastic bags for reuse or be willing to try out those reusable tote bags that are starting to show up for sale in local stores. Those reusable totes are the norm in most foreign countries; hardly anyone walks around with a plastic bag in hand.

We should encourage reuse of existing bags and totes instead of creating new biodegradable bags.

We also need to manage the trash, because those "new" biodegradable bags are not going to disappear and biodegrade overnight.