State should fire drug-charged teachers
Let me get this straight: Two Mililani Middle School teachers are allegedly observed smoking pot by a parent just before a school day begins (
Star-Bulletin, Dec. 6). Whether students are present or not is irrelevant. The teachers accused are Benjamin Ayson and Lisa Luhrsen. As any concerned parent would do, she reports it to the school. The police are called and make a citation, reportedly finding drugs in the vehicle on campus (a serious crime by itself because of the "Drug-Free School Zone" legislation passed on both the state and federal levels). The Mililani Middle School principal, Roger Kim, has the audacity to tell the press that the two teachers in question have "good rapport" with staff and students.
Not only should the state fire the two allegedly pot-smoking teachers, it also should fire Kim as well for backing up these so-called educators.
Matthew Neavill
Beverly Hills, Calif.
Former Hawaii resident
Drug testing helps those with problems
I am outraged and shocked that the Hawaii teachers union is opposed to drug testing its membership. With the latest arrest of two teachers for allegedly smoking drugs and another previously arrested on suspicion of dealing drugs (
Star-Bulletin, Dec. 6), it seems that perhaps drug testing is warranted.
Why the opposition? Police, fire, military and even private companies regularly test their employees for drugs. Some mainland schools even drug test students. It appears the teachers union wants to hide the fact that drugs have infiltrated their ranks. It is almost certain that a few other teachers might have drug or alcohol problems. Drug testing can identify and help treat these people. Teaching is an honorable profession, and I cannot understand why any teacher would oppose drug testing. Unless they have something to hide. Perhaps had a drug testing policy had been in place, the arrested teachers would have not been involved in drugs.
I am not asking for teachers to be drug tested, I demand it!
Eric Daido
Mililani
Aloha lacking among Honolulu airport staff
I am so disappointed at the way some of the Honolulu airport workers treat people coming to visit Hawaii. Apparently, some of them don't realize the effect they have on visitors. I was bothered by the way one of the porters treated my family. After my aunty paid this rude porter, he says to her, "Where's my tip?" Not acceptable! I would've said, "Here ... quit your day job." He had the nerve to expect a tip after treating them this way? Some airport workers need to brush up or maybe take a class on what "aloha spirit" means.
In another incident, a friend was picking up someone from the Honolulu airport. She sees them waiting by the curbside, so she pulls up and they start getting in. Well, security comes along and starts yelling at her to move forward because she's parked on the crosswalk. I understand why she needs to move, but when most of the car doors are open and people are trying to get in and load the luggage, why can't security nicely say, "Excuse me, can you please move the car up a little and then load your luggage? You're on the crosswalk." Simple! But to be yelled at? Not acceptable!
If you're in the customer service business and you're not going to give it your all, get another job. Maybe some of these workers feel they don't fall under the customer service category, but in the big picture, I think they do.
Lisa Rios
Hilo, Hawaii
Ban the importation of Christmas trees
The annual
Christmas tree shipments to Hawaii are a major threat to the state's agriculture and unique natural ecosystems. The Department of Agriculture recognizes this and therefore inspects these shipments, but although dedicated, its resources, as the department probably agrees, are inadequate. Inspections focus on known potential pests. Other species are collected if they are seen but otherwise are free to go. I have seen bugs running around under trees in some major outlets. Shaking the trees to see what falls off does not catch all the potential harmful alien species that the trees bring in. Flying insects may have long gone the minute the container doors are opened.
Some people argue that it's OK because these trees come from a temperate climate and the critters they bring with them wouldn't survive our tropical climate. But these temperate critters simply fly, crawl or get inadvertently taken upslope where it is cooler. Some of our work at the University of Hawaii shows that there are many temperate invasive species a few thousand feet up.
Importing Christmas trees should be banned. There would be an outcry, but people would get over it. We can, do and should grow suitable trees, providing local jobs, supporting the economy and avoiding shipping costs. Or buy a plastic one. The seven-footer we put up every year is almost indistinguishable from a real one and does not drop needles or go brown. The $60 outlay spread over many years means we have saved hundreds of dollars. Hawaii cannot be concerned about the feelings of people who just have to have a real Christmas tree -- too much is at stake in terms of our agricultural security, our relative freedom from all manner of biting and stinging pests and, crucially, the decline of our unique natural resources.
Robert Cowie
Center for Conservation Research and Training
University of Hawaii-Manoa
Net energy metering is available here
In her
letter to the editor yesterday, Camille Watts makes a great case for net energy metering to encourage more renewable energy, reduce our use of fossil fuel and protect our environment. Here's the good news: Hawaiian Electric Company and the electric utilities serving the neighbor islands all offer net metering right now and have since 2001. Check out
www.heco.com; click on "
renewable energy," then "
net energy metering."
With net metering, a customer producing electricity from sun, wind, water or biomass can get credit on their electric bill for any excess power returned to the grid.
Interest in net metering is increasing due to state and new federal tax credits, making it more affordable to install renewable systems such as photovoltaic panels, which convert sunlight directly to electricity.
Peter Rosegg
Hawaiian Electric Company
[ NEW YEAR'S WISHES ]
Readers, tell us about 2007
THE tick of the clock from December 2006's last second to January 2007's first is really no different from any other. Nonetheless, it marks a turn of time regarded as a genesis -- a beginning.
The Star-Bulletin would like readers to submit their thoughts, ideas and hopes for 2007. Feel free to get the family involved -- we'd like to hear from our younger readers, too. And you're welcome to express your feelings in a photograph or drawing, if you prefer.
Comments and observations may be personal or global, material or spiritual -- whatever is on your mind. We will publish your words on New Year's Day, along with some photos and other artwork you send.
E-mail us at newyear@starbulletin.com, or send mail to Editorial Dept., Star-Bulletin, 7 Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana, Suite 210, Honolulu, HI, 96813.
We look forward to hearing from you!