Public school system
should be autonomous

Why does the panel dealing with education on the Governor's Economic Revitalization Task Force recommend fiscal autonomy for the University of Hawaii, but not for the public school system?

Why should one be made free from political control but not the other?

Currently, do they not both suffer political control through the Legislature's budgetary and funding power and the governor's line-item veto and control over the release of funds? Are they not both micromanaged by politicians at a level comparable to that of the Bishop Estate trustees?

By giving the UH full responsibility, the panel says that it is sending "a clear signal to the business and academic community worldwide that Hawaii is willing and able to be first rate."

Why isn't the panel willing and able to recommend that the public school system receive equal treatment?

Richard Y. Will

Anti-land-mine group
deserves its peace prize

What a momentous day! The Norwegian Nobel Committee made an excellent choice in awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to American Jody Williams and her international campaign to ban land mines.

The choice is a fitting tribute to the late Princess Diana for her untiring efforts to ban land mines. President Yelstin's surprising announcement after the award that Russia will sign the treaty should provide momentum for the U.S. to sign.

One defense the U.S. uses to defend landmines is that the "smart mines" self-destruct after 48 hours. Other nations have the capability to manufacture such bombs and yet they have signed the treaty.

Those individuals in the U.S. who oppose the treaty take the position that the millions of land mines between the two Koreas are a barrier to invasion by the North. The North's threat is a bluff. It is too weak economically and military to wage a war.

How T. Chang

Rats aren't worth saving
so let's not be ridiculous

Regarding Herbert A.K. Yuen's Oct. 13 letter, "Rats have rights too, so don't mistreat them" -- good grief! Isn't defending diseased rabid rats taking animal rights too far? What doesn't Yuen think about cockroaches, fleas, worms, gnats and amoeba? And is he a vegan who omits all animal products, even butter, from his diet?

These rats are dirty and dangerous to the human population. Would you rather we gather them up in a pen, inoculate them, clean them and raise them as pets?

Good luck finding owners and supporters. And enjoy your fantasy world.

Ed & Carol Weber
(Via the Internet)

TV show puts spotlight
on topic of breast cancer

We applaud the cast, crew and writers of "Murphy Brown" for their decision to depict the real-life issues that breast cancer patients face when diagnosed with this disease. As millions of women watch Candice Bergen's character deal with the physical and emotional effects of this disease, we hope they will be enlightened by the full range of services available to successfully combat breast cancer.

Effective treatment is not limited to an oncologist's office. Many women are not yet fully aware of the benefits of psychological services for people with life-threatening illnesses. Research over the past 30 years suggests that such intervention enhances immune functions and increases survival rates, while improving emotional adjustment after surgery and increasing healthy behaviors.

For the 2.6 million women in this county are living with breast cancer, this is valuable information. "Murphy Brown" is in a unique position to help get the message out.

Karuna L. Joshi-Peters
President
Hawaii Psychological Association

Why is one man deciding
what all people can see?

In response to the cancelation of the Cosmetix performance at the Maui County Fair, I find it interesting that some Americans, specifically the religious right, have deemed it appropriate to decide for the rest of us what we can and cannot view.

Over the course of centuries, man has at times spent much energy destroying or prohibiting art forms or literature that he saw as unfit for society. Nazi Germany was very successful in getting rid of or burning masterpieces by Modigliani, Picasso, Van Gogh and other works by "degenerate" persons.

As a society, America will cease to have a unique and diverse culture if left in the hands of persons like state Sen. Avery Chumbley, president of the Maui County Fair. Chumbley needs to go look at the U.S. Constitution and read what it says.

Shame on you, Mr. Chumbley, for your ignorance and for your gross lack of representation of all your people, not just the majority. Some may feel that watching a female impersonation show at the Maui County Fair is not their cup of tea (myself included), but it is not for one American to tell another what art forms may be enjoyed.

Jereld C. Sharitz
Kaaawa
(Via the Internet)

Don't raise the age limit
for granting drivers license

Regarding the possibility of moving up the required age to obtain a driver's license from 15 to 17, I see no concrete reason to change the requirement.

Hawaii is a costly state to live in. So many families, including my own, have two cars with two working parents. The current age limit lets kids like myself take the responsibility of getting a job and investing in a quality car to transport myself wherever needed.

Kids from all the corners of Mililani come to Mililani High School. I have friends who have to walk three miles to get home from campus.

I do recognize problems such as teens staying out too late and getting into traffic accidents. To avoid such negatives, parents must take more responsibility in guiding their young teens to make sensible decisions.

Andrew Kamikawa
Mililani

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Bishop Estate Archive

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