Rigid DOE is forcing multi-track on public
The Department of Education's decision to impose a multi-track schedule on all new public schools in Hawaii will have disastrous consequences on our families and communities.Those of us in Mililani, where the first multi-track school will open in June, are simply on the squall line of the coming storm. It is a story of misinformation and lies.
At a recent Board of Education meeting, a group of parents from Mililani Kipapa Elementary turned out in support of multi-track. Why? Because they had been led to believe by those pressing a multi-track agenda that, if this schedule were not implemented, Kipapa children would be bused to Wheeler Intermediate.
It was an unfounded rumor, but one calculated to instill fear and foster division. It worked. Our community is turning against itself.
Thomas D. Holland
Mililani
There's no rush to see 'Miss Saigon' in Hawaii
I strongly protest the possibility that the Honolulu Symphony may be blocked out of the Blaisdell Concert Hall for three months in 1999. I am appalled that the city administration could even consider such an action.I love Broadway shows. We've seen almost every one that has appeared here, several of them more than once. But, as good as it probably is, "Miss Saigon" is not worth the sacrifice.
Mayor Harris should do what many of us believe is the right and honorable thing: The Blaisdell Concert Hall is mostly dark during the summer. If "Miss Saigon" can't fit into its schedule in 1999, then perhaps in 2000.
We've waited years to see it; one more won't matter.
Virginia Steinmiller
Kailua
City had better get its priorities straight
It is positively appalling that the city should shoot itself in the foot by shutting its major cultural asset, the Honolulu Symphony, out of the Blaisdell Concert Hall for three months at the beginning of its 100th season.Is the city just out to make money? Shouldn't it be more sensitive to enhancing our cultural climate? I think so!
Marion N. Vaught
Incarcerated youth are not all incorrigible
I want to acknowledge Star-Bulletin reporter Rod Ohira for his Feb. 26 article, "It's real tough to be good." Usually media accounts involving the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility (HYCF) have a negative slant. Your article reported on a positive program for incarcerated youth.The HYCF staff indeed work with a challenging youth population. These young people are supposedly at the "end of the line." But, as the article described, after cutting through perceptions, these are kids.
Yes, they are law violators and that fact certainly needs to be addressed. But they cannot be locked up and ignored.
Bert Y. Matsuoka
Executive Director
State Office of Youth Services
Ways to save money in the Legislature
State workers should not be penalized just because they happen to work for government. It is such a farce to reach a salary increase through contract negotiations, and then have it taken away illegally by our governor and legislators.In good faith, our legislators, who are not only state workers but are elected by the people, should work for free next session, or until our economy gets better.
Another alternative would be for them to get paid only if the bills they introduce are passed. A less painful alternative would not be paying them overtime whenever they work past their deadlines.
Finally, reduce the opening and closing ceremonies to a simple hand-sewn lei and a song, without air conditioning.
Marleen Chong
There's a silver lining behind economic cloud
The severe downturn in our local economy is really a blessing in disguise. Everyone, especially local government, has been lulled into complacency for too long. Gone are the days of "wine and roses," with cash flooding into the islands from "hole-in-the-pocket" Washington, D.C., from wealthy Japanese investors, and from tourists and mainland mega-retailers.Our economy is in a slump but, for sure, it's temporary. Things will get better, if we all react properly. We must not continue our old, unproductive behaviors.
Everything's evolving. Hawaii is changing from the old Burns-Waihee, anti-business style of government to a more sensible notion that's growing even among some of today's Democrats. "Government that governs least, governs best," is something that Jefferson believed and preached over 200 years ago.
Alan T. Matsuda
Why are public workers given special treatment?
Here we go again. When our fine Legislature finally realizes the need to cut expenses and come up with a reasonable plan to cut down on many of our overpaid, overholidayed and overbenefitted state workers, they cry for an I.O.U. to get those cuts decreased later in better times.Was there any word, when these government employees received all that pork, that some day, in leaner times, like right now, they may have to give back some of that fat? I don't remember so.
Yet, how lucky they are to even keep their jobs. I didn't hear anyone crying for the poor people who lost their jobs at Bank of Hawaii, Liberty House, etc.
Gerhard C. Hamm
Don't blame women for foot-binding nonsense
In your March 10 article titled, "Scholar: women share blame," Douglas Chong's view is that the custom of foot-binding in China was perpetuated by women and enforced by mothers. This viewpoint rationalizes sexism.Our mom, a Punti, was clearly and actively opposed to the practice of giving higher amounts of gift money to male offspring than to female offspring, based on the difference in gender.
Cliff Lum
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