Hold someone accountable
for terrible school system
I know several outstanding teachers in the public school system, but the people of Hawaii have a larger concern here than the issue of a teacher's salary.
Let the people of Hawaii come together and demand that the governor and Board of Education improve our schools. If they fail us today, then fail them tomorrow at the voting booth.
Jack M. Gayle
Kaneohe
(Via the Internet)
Why do teachers deserve
break over poor, needy?
Have we sacrificed one segment of the population for another? Have we sacrificed the handicapped, disabled and other underclasses of people by cutting welfare payments in half, laying off 600 state workers and cutting other programs for the benefit of well-educated, able-bodied people who are organized and who know how to use the media to galvanize public support?
And, most importantly, what about the children? Will this pay raise make even one child read better? Will it increase one child's test score?
Martha Roosevelt Hood
Hefty salary increases
for teachers were warranted
The facilities and resources available to teachers and students are substandard, filthy and inexcusable. School funding is so low that teachers are often forced to pay out of pocket to improve their classrooms. It is despicable how things such as malfunctioning restrooms, improper construction and dirty water are overlooked in our schools, for the sake of money.
The strike threat was more than a cry for pay increases; it was a demand for improvements in our public schools.
Amy Ellen Savidge
Kapolei
(Via the Internet)
There were big screw-ups
in specialized UH building
Having been at UH since the mid-1980s, I can state that the facilities planning office was provided from the beginning with clear, detailed descriptions of what our highly specialized isotope lab needed. On several later occasions, we sent memos to UH planners pointing out serious errors in the architect's blueprints.
On finally being allowed a five-minute inspection of the lab a year ago, we were shocked to find that nearly all of the problems we had documented had been built into the lab. Someone had deleted thousands of dollars of critical infrastructure, obviously inappropriate equipment had been substituted, and the all-important chemical exhaust system had been seriously modified.
To make this brand-new lab usable, a major rebuild is necessary: for example, the entire lab ceiling must be torn open to rebuild the ventilation and exhaust ducting at an estimated cost of more than $100,000. Meanwhile, we continue to pump scarce funds into maintaining our old lab while the new one sits empty.
The entire process has been an exercise in responsibility-laundering. Since no one appears to be accountable, no one is owning up to the errors.
Khalil J. Spencer
Associate Specialist
Department of Geology and Geophysics
University of Hawaii-Manoa
Tourists, residents should
have choice about gambling
I respectfully disagree with your Feb. 3 editorial that casinos could repel those seeking a "wholesome, family-style destination." It has not stopped Las Vegas visitors and the many entertainment opportunities found there for children.
Also you wrote that legalizing gambling "probably wouldn't discourage Hawaii residents from Las Vegas travel." Of this, no one can be sure. But it's quite possible that some would stay here and still have the opportunity (however small) to win or at least enjoy the expenditure while helping our economy instead of taking a long flight to further benefit Nevada's. Winnings also result in taxable income!
In the future, a mature group of visitors may not enjoy active sports and excessive sun exposure. They will desire a diversity of amusements on par with other resort locations in lieu of only shopping and revisiting local attractions.
Mrs. Stanley E. Pekar