Editorials
Wednesday, June 19, 1996
Kamehameha Schools on
neighbor islands
ALTHOUGH the decision of the Kamehameha Schools to open elementary schools on the neighbor islands was announced previously, the designation of specific plans and sites for Maui and the Big Island brings the opening of those schools closer to realization. That will be an advance of historic proportions in the efforts of the Bishop Estate to improve the education of children of Hawaiian ancestry.
Until now it has been necessary for neighbor island children to board at the Kamehameha Heights campus, a deterrent for many. Opening of the new schools will mean that many neighbor island children can attend Kamehameha Schools while living at home. Others can continue to board at the main campus.
The Big Island site will be a 100-acre campus in Kalalau, across the Wailuku River from downtown Hilo. The Maui site will be another 100-acre campus at Pukalani. The Big Island land is owned by the Bishop Estate; the Maui property will be purchased. Construction should begin next year at both sites with completion expected in two to three years. Each school will open in the fall in temporary facilities, with 80 pupils in kindergarten to third grade, until the new campuses are ready.
In addition to Maui and the Big Island, the Kamehameha Schools envisions two more elementary schools, in West Hawaii and West Oahu, but not before 2000. Sites for those schools have not yet been selected.
The Bishop Estate has been criticized for its reluctance to spend more money on its schools, as well as for the grossly excessive compensation accepted by its trustees. The planned opening of elementary schools away from the main campus is a reassuring demonstration of the continuing commitment of the Bishop Estate to the education of Hawaiian children, in accordance with the will of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. However, the criticism will continue until the trustees reduce their compensation to a reasonable level.
Other editorials in brief:
Japanese scandals
ALTHOUGH the Japanese economy shows signs of reviving after four years of recession, Japan hasn't recovered yet from the trauma of the Kobe earthquake and the subway gassing by members of a weird religious cult. The government of Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto has also had the unpleasant task of cleaning up the mess left by previous regimes.
After decades of spectacular economic growth under LDP governments when it appeared they could do no wrong, scandals have shaken the public's confidence in government - not a good sign for the party in power.
Makua Beach eviction
THE state's eviction of squatters at Makua Beach was an unpleasant but necessary action. No one has a right to defy the law and occupy public land without permission. In addition, the illegal community at Makua Beach had created sanitation problems and had become a public nuisance. The state plans to build a beach park there and open it to public use - a vast improvement over present conditions.
Governor Cayetano should be commended for taking firm yet compassionate action to deal with this problem. But the state must step up its efforts to aid the homeless and provide alternatives to the beach.
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Rupert E. Phillips, CEO
John M. Flanagan, Editor & Publisher
David Shapiro, Managing Editor
Diane Yukihiro Chang, Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor
Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner, Assistant Managing Editors
A.A. Smyser, Contributing Editor