AUDREY TOGUCHI

SHE TAUGHT KIDS TO SET GOALS AND DREAM BIG

Blessed Damien could not have chosen a better person than Audrey Toguchi for his second miracle.

Mrs. Toguchi was my eighth- grade teacher at 'Ewa Elementary and Intermediate School. She knew that most of her students were plantation kids who lived in the camps and didn't have much in the way of material things. She was the kindest and most generous person you could imagine.

I can remember her giving me a quarter for lunch when I didn't have lunch money. She knew that for most kids that would be the only real meal they would have that day.

She taught us to appreciate the things that could never be taken away from us: our heritage, our family, our beliefs and our culture. She taught us to set goals and not to limit our dreams. For her, there was no child more important than the next. She lived "No Child Left Behind" before it became a political slogan.

I have always had the utmost respect for Mrs. Toguchi. I only hope that as a registrar/dean of faculty at Saint Louis School I can be half the person she has been to the many students who were lucky enough to have had her as a teacher.

ILH BASEBALL

COACH'S COMMENTS WERE DISAPPOINTING

If there is one thing I've learned over the more than 13 years that my sons have played baseball, it's that on any given day, any team can win.

After witnessing the exciting and gut-wrenching performances by both Punahou and Saint Louis in the ILH championship game, I was disappointed by the comments of Saint Louis coach Duane Fraticelli.

His comments not only denigrated Punahou's performance ("We're better than them. I don't care if they're the four-time defending champs, we're more talented than them"), but his own team's fantastic performance as well ("We folded," Fraticelli said. "We had (Punahou) the last three times we played them but we fell apart on defense.")

While I can understand that Coach Fraticelli was disappointed that his team did not prevail, his comments do not reflect those of an individual who is responsible not only for helping to develop his players' baseball skills, but also for helping to mold their characters.

Perhaps we can take a lesson from the players themselves in what sportsmanship is all about. It was heartening to witness Punahou first baseman Jeeter Ishida congratulating the Saint Louis players when, because of great hits, they were able to make it safely to first base. It was also great to see the camaraderie between the two teams at their post-game mid-field meeting.

Coach, I witnessed great baseball on Saturday. It's hard to say why your team did not win. They certainly played an awesome game.

$51,000 SUV

COMMENDS CORREA FOR HONESTY IN HIS REQUEST

Honolulu Police Chief Boisse Correa should be commended for his honesty and integrity in maintaining government transparency in his request for $51,000 to purchase an SUV as his personal vehicle and for use of command-level officers.

It would have been effortless to conceal that small amount within his $200 million budget, or manipulate the forfeiture funds for this purchase.

At first glance, this purchase may seem to border on eccentricity or paranoia, but the vehicle will complement the $1.2 million fully equipped command vehicle used by SWAT for emergencies and the $700,000 fully equipped command office in police headquarters.

Should Honolulu suffer a major catastrophe akin to 9/11 or a catastrophic natural disaster, this command vehicle will be a contributing factor in our success in overcoming adversity and saving lives.

The safeguards in government will review this request and judge it on its merit and approve or disapprove it accordingly.

TRANSIT

PORTLAND'S LIGHT RAIL SHOWS TRANSIT WORKS

I'm visiting your beautiful city and read with interest your article on light rail, along with a letter from Tom Maeda (May 5), opposing the project. Mr. Maeda says, "Tell me I'm wrong." If an outsider may express an opinion, I think he's wrong.

My native city of Portland, Ore., opened a light-rail system, called Max, in 1986. At every step of the way, the project was opposed by people with the same objections: too expensive, elitist, nobody will ride it.

Max was indeed expensive. And from the very first, ridership has been far greater than estimated. The success was so great that the system has been extended several times.

If you ride the Max today, you'll see business people, senior citizens, students, shoppers and tourists all sharing a fast, easy ride.

Portland is now a vibrant city with a growing international reputation, thanks in great part to this terrific transportation system. And in this bustling city there is more business for everyone — including cab drivers, who seem so intent on blocking light rail here.

Portlanders will tell you that light rail really works.

RAIL PROVIDES PEOPLE WITH TRANSIT OPTION

I'm glad to see the media started to ask questions about the people behind the push to kill rail. It's ironic that a taxi industry leader is driving this petition, as taxis are integral to any rail system.

As a frequent traveler to Japan, I've seen how convenient a rail system can be, where a network of buses and taxis move people to and from the stations. While I don't propose we turn Honolulu into Tokyo, we should strive to develop non-car-centric communities here.

The anti-rail people are only focused on reducing traffic. Sounds noble, but this is short sighted. Think about it. Nothing we do will reduce traffic forever.

Rather, rail is the first step in providing a true transportation alternative to the endless cycle of more vehicles and paved roads. With rail, people have the choice to drive in ever-worsening traffic or to ride the train.

If people have the choice, many will choose the option that will be cheaper, faster and more time-reliable — the train.

What is the anti-rail group's solution to improving transportation? Anything we do today to "improve" traffic will only serve to actually encourage people to drive more. We need real alternatives.

ENERGY

CHINA POLLUTES MORE THAN AMERICA DOES

Oliver Lee's May 5 letter states that on a per-capita basis, the U.S. consumes more oil than China, but he misses an important point. While China consumes less oil (even at an absolute rate), it still pollutes more than the U.S., and its energy consumption continues to grow at a far faster rate than in the U.S.

Arguing who consumes more or who is more or less economically developed is not really relevant. All of us need to do more to protect the environment and conserve resources, including the U.S.

China seems to be largely content with focusing entirely on feeding and growing its economy at all costs, including its own people.

Hundreds of thousands of people contract pollution-related diseases in China every year. Cancer is their leading cause of death. If the cost of economic prosperity is the lives of its people, what will China have left when it finally decides it has developed enough?

Pollution does not respect borders. Pollution from China travels to California. Poisoned Chinese rivers empty into the ocean. Will the rest of the world have to pay for Chinese prosperity also?

SPORT

HORSE RACING IS CRUEL, IT SHOULD BE BANNED

PETA doesn't go far enough. Horse racing cannot be reformed, it should be banned. Two horses a day die on our nation's tracks.

If you run these spindly legged animals at top speeds, in all kinds of weather, they are going to break down.

The dirty little secret of racing is that 37 percent of all retired race horses are sent to slaughter for the European horse meat market.

Sens. Dan Akaka and Daniel Inouye are cosponsors of a bill to stop this practice. Horse racing, greyhound racing, bullfights and cockfighting are pure animal cruelty. How many more deaths like Eight Belles will we tolerate?

CHARITY

SHARE STIMULUS CHECKS WITH THOSE IN NEED

The local economy is taking a turn. With recent closings and layoffs, families need help, some for the first time. The stress will mean higher incidences of depression, violence and other, often health-related, problems. Where do people go in times of need and what can we do to help?

We have a suggestion. When your economic stimulus check arrives, consider sharing it. Even a small portion of a tax rebate can go a long way — $300 can feed multiple families for a week, supply an after-school program or keep the lights on at a residential shelter.

Although they face a decrease in donations, community-based nonprofits will continue to serve Hawai'i throughout the economic downturn, even as demand for services increases.

Without financial support, however, nonprofits must cut back and when they do, everyone feels the pain.

Donations you make now will help Hawai'i charities continue to provide human services, education, artistic and cultural programs, healthcare, animal protection, foster care, environmental preservation and much, much more.

As the checks arrive, remember they can go far to sustain Hawai'i nonprofits and our community.

Don't just think about it — act on your compassion and concern and give. Those in need will be immensely grateful.