So you think teachers have it easy?

Cheryl Yuen feels strongly that teachers shouldn't complain because "they don't have it that bad at all" (Letters, May 9). Of course, as Yuen wrote, teachers get a lot of "days off and long breaks"! There are no breaks because the teachers are teaching summer school or working second jobs. Or they are taking extra courses at the University of Hawaii because the state requires it to advance to a higher pay step.

Yuen must be referring to that long break at the end of the day, since a teacher's work day ends at 2:05 p.m. Even after a hectic school day is "done," the teacher must attend countless meetings and make phone calls home to often elusive parents. They must grade assignments and tests, work on curriculum development, prepare for the next day and take work home as it gets dark.

Oh, but at least there's that lunch hour to relax and recuperate. However, by the time the students have washed up, lined up and made it to the cafeteria, make that a "lunch 15" for some teachers. And sometimes this is not even possible, because these precious few minutes are needed to give an assessment to or speak with a student, visit the school office or quickly conference with another teacher. Teachers often do not even have time to use the bathroom during the day!

It's sad that the public is so uninformed, and so ungrateful.

Those who help Scouts are 'priceless'

For the past three years, well-deserving Girl Scouts have earned the prestigious "Priceless Award" for selling more than 700 boxes of Girl Scout cookies.

This year, 22 Girl Scouts statewide were honored: Carlyn Abramo, Alexia Blalock, Emily Cheung, Kahaowaiolu Fujimori, Allie Galati, Danielle Guist, Paige Hanohano, Kiana Hayes, Allyson Holtz, Krysten Irion, Samantha Ng, Alysa Oshiro, Adria Pang, Serena Perry, Sade Reuarin, Kara Anne Saiki, Kate Shepherd, Elizabeth Sugahara, Audrey Thompson, Kelsi Watanabe, Jasmine Wong and Kristen Yamaguchi.

Last Saturday these girls went on a "Mission: Possible Tour," via private trolley, meeting "mystery guests" at various stops in Honolulu.

Mahalo nui to our "mystery guests": Veronica Kaneko, McDonald's Restaurants; American Idol finalist Jasmine Trias; KSSK's Michael W. Perry, Larry Price and Sweetie Pacarro; Honolulu Police Department museum curator, Officer Eddie Croom, and Sgt. Deborah Wilson and Officer Sharon Walden of the HPD Mounted Unit; Honolulu Fire Capt. Debbie Eleneki; Jordan Segundo; KHON 2's Jai Cunningham; and Mayor Mufi Hannemann.

We also wish to thank Maki Kuroda, E Noa Tours; Mike Johnston, Ritz Camera; Nancy Bernal; HPD Capt. Janna Mizuo; HFD Capt. Kenison Tejada; Luka Levi Makekau; Les Honda; and John Veneri.

The gift of time is truly the most priceless of all.

Road engineers ignore roundabout foes

Last week members of a large Foster Village anti-roundabout delegation made their point with the Salt Lake/Moanalua Valley/Aliamanu/Foster Village Neighborhood Board. During the course of their spirited discussion with the pro-roundabout delegation, the audience was told that federal Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices traffic guidelines, supporting traditional, inexpensive traffic-calming methods to avoid right angle accidents, should be ignored in favor of the city's expensive traffic-calming proposal.

After the two sides exhausted themselves, the board's directors voted decisively, urging the Department of Transportation Services to test old-fashioned stop signs before proceeding with the favored megabucks option.

On Monday, DTS traffic engineers were at the proposed roundabout construction site with their yellow spray-paint cans, marking the pavement for roundabout surgery. Apparently, they are proceeding on the assumption the directors were intimidated (again?) by the anti-roundabout delegation.

Is it OK to ignore so-called unintended consequences, so long as the political system is fed properly?

Straub Clinic came through for visitor

I was recently a tourist in Hawaii and unfortunately became ill, requiring hospitalization at Straub Clinic. I'm writing to commend the clinic and its wonderful staff. In particular, I was extremely impressed by the compassionate and meticulous care given by Dr. David Lee. He performed an angiogram on me and because of his attention to every detail of the procedure, I felt absolutely no discomfort. I had this same procedure done five years ago in another state and it was very painful, so I could hardly believe the difference this time.

The nurses who attended me also were outstanding. I was in the cardiac area of the clinic, and three nurses who were so wonderful to me were Lynn, Sarah and Lynn's assistant. I have been in many hospitals across the United States and never before received the excellent care provided me by these nurses and Dr. Lee.

Hawaii is certainly blessed to have Straub Clinic and its staff. I'm so thankful they were there for me in my time of need.

.

'Twas the day before Star Wars ...

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