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Schools have enough money to function

The Star-Bulletin's front-page article on Aug. 3, "Budget throttles Hawaii's schools," was an unfortunate journalistic effort. The headline, subhead and lead paragraph together wrongly imply that there isn't sufficient current funding to address the state Department of Education's capital improvement, repair and maintenance needs.

Your article fails to make it clear that the 2001-2003 budget being discussed was merely a proposal being floated by the DOE for possible inclusion in its wish list to the next Legislature. I am surprised and disappointed that your reporter was so easily duped into portraying the proposed budget as fact.

The 2001-2003 Executive Budget request, which will include the DOE's formal request, will be submitted to the Legislature later this year.

The matter will be taken up at the 21st legislative session when it convenes in 2001.

For the record, the 20th Legislature has put its money where its mouth is. It appropriated about one-third of the total state general fund budget to education.

We also approved more than $270 million in capital improvements for education in the 1999-2000 biennium. Furthermore, this past session, lawmakers approved an additional $45 million for repair and maintenance of existing facilities alone.

In fact, this past year, the Legislature had to reauthorize a total of $71 million in previously appropriated money (1998) because the DOE could not figure out how to spend the requested money in a timely manner.

At this point, if you are wondering what the heck is going on over at the DOE, welcome to the club. It's a question we legislators ask ourselves a lot.

Rep. Ken Ito
(D-48th District)
Chairman, House Committee
on Education

Traffic cameras too late for 1995 fatality

I was happy to read about the traffic cameras that will catch drivers who run red lights. On Dec. 30, 1995, at the intersection of South and Queen streets, my husband was killed by such a person.

I hope all cities will adopt this solution, as too many lives have been affected by irresponsible drivers.

Karina Kehaulani Lok
Palm Springs, Calif.

Reckless drivers strike fear in community

When we at the Hawaii Bicycling League ask people why they don't ride bikes more often, the most frequent response is, "The roads are just too dangerous." So it is with great pleasure that we learn Honolulu police will be stepping up enforcement against reckless drivers.

Just yesterday, as my wife and I were leaving Kalama Valley on our way to work, we saw what seemed to be a guided missile approaching us from behind. A black stretch limo shot past us at a very high speed.

I estimate the driver was easily doing 50 mph in a 25-mph zone. Residents who were out for morning walks simply stopped in their tracks in amazement. Even if no crash resulted, such behavior has a chilling effect on others.

Who wants to send their children to school on foot or by bicycle when faced with the thought of such a reckless driver behind the wheel of a multi-ton speeding weapon?

The inevitable results of dangerous driving are that we have more obese children locked in their parents' cars, and more roadway congestion as worried people armor themselves in large vehicles.

Khalil J. Spencer
President
Hawaii Bicycling League

Kanno should quit wasting his breath

Former Attorney General Margery Bronster was a breath of fresh air on the long-standing dismal scene of local politics.

In the midst of "good old-boy deals" and pacts of "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours," Bronster attacked her assignments while not tied to any special interest group manipulating her investigation.

It was wonderful to see her forge ahead, unafraid, searching only for the truth.

Those of us who have lived here most of our lives, however, silently knew that Bronster's naivete of this institution's power and certain individuals' connections in this state would eventually result in a rude awakening for her. It came in the form of being voted out by a majority of senators.

That is why I have a message for Sen. Brian Kanno, who is seeking re-election this year: I was outraged to see your name on the list that ousted Bronster, and I vowed back then that I would not vote for anyone who could be manipulated. Therefore, don't waste your time trying to persuade me that this is not the way it happened.

"You can shibai some of the people some of the time...' "

J. Kehaulani Schmidt
Kapolei

Bishop Estate Archive

Thank three key players for delay on act

I am pleased that both houses of the Legislature have taken a course of vision in moving to delay implementation of the well-intentioned Patient Privacy Act until they can devote attention to a less confusing version next session.

I am also grateful to Governor Cayetano for reconsidering his initial opinion after reviewing the dire economic effects the act in its current form would have had on virtually every employer.

Both private and public sectors have benefited tremendously in this matter from the insight and persistence of Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono. She showed her ability to truly listen to valid business concerns and then bring the numerous view points together in compromise.

Many of us in the private sector will be working with the Privacy Task Force in the next few months in an effort to offer meaningful proposals on this complicated issue. We are counting on Hirono's continued involvement and leadership.

J. Terry Mullen
President, John Mullen & Co. Inc.
Insurance Adjusters and Investigators

Quotables "I fail to see how Conklin can raise his right hand to take an oath to protect the trust when his motivation is to break up the trust." Rowena Akana OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS TRUSTEE Criticizing non-Hawaiian Kenneth Conklin for his plan to run for a seat on the OHA board "Polling shows the GOP is considered warmer and fuzzier. I'm from Texas, so I know that's a great illusion." Rosalyn Baker FORMER STATE SENATOR AND HAWAII DELEGATE TO THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION On an impression of the Republican Party

Gardening program sows seeds of learning

May I comment on the garden program at Makaha Elementary School (Aug. 5, "Backers try to keep students down on the farm")? My feeling is that many elementary school principals would love to have a five-acre garden with manager next to their campuses where their students could add a hands-on element to curriculum opportunities, even for just 40 minutes every eight days.

Principal Clarence De Lude's decision to discontinue the program for 1) lack of money (cost: $10 per child per year), 2) safety and liability reasons, and 3) to spend morning hours concentrating on reading and other classroom work seems shortsighted and lacking in good judgment.

He is giving up a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about science, read, write, speak, listen and acquire such elusive attributes as thinking, forming good relationships and decision-making. I hope the 600-plus suporters of the program will be successful in getting this unfortunate decision reversed.

Art Wong

Waikiki has changed for the better

For the past decade, my family and I have purposely avoided Waikiki because of its crowded, seedy appearance. Ala Moana is about as close as we've come to the area.

Last Saturday, however, we went to a late-afternoon family wedding reception at a Waikiki hotel. The drive down Kalakaua Avenue amazed us because so much was changed. The whole area was clean and green.

After the reception, a group of us walked down to the Moana. The old hotel was grand, but the sound of music coaxed us beyond to Kuhio Beach. Marlene Sai was singing "Waikiki," and it brought back memories to all of us and tears to an older friend.

The beach is wider and better than it has ever been. The trees, lighting, waterfalls and grass are gorgeous. We sat on it for a while and enjoyed the wonderful entertainment. It was like going to a party at the new home of an old friend. We will definitely come back.

Janette Oyama

Hawaii youth will regret leaving boy band

Columns by Diane Chang (June 26) and Dave Donnelly (Aug. 4, April 20) sparked our interest in the ABC series, "Making the Band." It featured Hawaii's own Ikaika Kahoano, son of Kimo Kahoano. So what a deep disappointment it was to see him quit.

He let Hawaii and himself down. While he was quickly replaced and forgotten, he will probably look back one day and think, "If only I had...."

G. Woo

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Foley's confirmation splits community

Foley thinks the masses are ignorant

Of the four judges appointed earlier this month, no one was objected to except Dan Foley.

He fought for nearly 10 years to legalize same-sex marriage and obviously does not represent the interests of the people of Hawaii. He cannot represent us, as he thinks he is completely superior to us and the values we hold dear.

As far as 70 percent of voters being opposed to same-sex marriage, Foley wrote in 1998 that we are essentially ignorant, and need to be educated to accept his pro-homosexual values.

Foley is part of a movement to completely revise any of society's values that are based on religion, morality or spirituality. In his eyes and the eyes of those like him, people of faith are simply ignorant and need to be "persuaded" to give up their faith-based values.

I pray that Foley proves us wrong, as he assured us he would, and does not use his new powerful position on the appellate court to promote his anti-religion, anti-family agenda.

Jeff Goodman

Judge Foley promoted homosexual agenda

Dan Foley thinks whoever disagrees with his pro-homosexual values is bigoted and prejudiced.

For example, in 1997, a group of Maui residents protested a performance by female impersonators at a county fair because it was scheduled for 6:30 p.m., when many children would attend (Star-Bulletin, Oct. 10, 1997).

Sen. Avery Chumbley canceled the event, saying, "I don't see this as a taking of minority rights. The issue is whether this is appropriate entertainment for a family event." Foley's response? "I think it's unfortunate," he said, "(that) the bigotry or the prejudice of the majority can have its way over minorities."

No doubt Foley -- now in the powerful position of an appellate court judge -- will do everything he can to stop the "bigotry" and "prejudice" of Hawaii families who don't want the gay agenda promoted to their children in the schools and in every other way the homosexuals can think of.

The people of Hawaii must stand up for their rights and the rights of their children to radicals who think family values are a disposable relic from the past.

Greg Johnson
Pahoa, Hawaii

New judge doesn't have same values as public

I was deeply disappointed that the state Senate confirmed the appointment of Dan Foley to the Intermediate Court of Appeals. He has worked in direct opposition to the morals and values of this community for nearly a decade.

Foley has put our children and families at risk by working to promote the homosexual agenda in our state. What he chooses to do as a private lawyer, he certainly has the right. But for the governor to appoint such a man to rule on a court of law is an outrage.

I was encouraged by the outcry from the public, as well as by the actions of the eight courageous senators who voted against the confirmation -- particularly, Sam Slom, Norman Sakamoto and Robert Bunda. We need more such legislators with the same heart-felt commitment to serve the interests of the people of Hawaii.

John Rogers

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