Teachers should be tested for drugs, too

Let's see if I have this right. According to a March 27 Star-Bulletin story there was to be some kind of summit "to cover testing students for drugs."

It's OK to randomly drug test:

» all who work at fast food restaurants,
» all who work at hotels,
» all who drive school buses,
» and now perhaps even all public school students.

But it is not OK to randomly drug test classroom teachers in whose care children have been entrusted because it might interfere with their privacy?

Don't parents and other taxpayers have the right to expect classroom teachers to be sober, law abiding, morally straight role models for the children with whom they are in contact every school day?

Professionally speaking, I don't think we should tolerate dope smoking degenerates in our ranks.

Battle for shoreline never seems to end

Continental Pacific's plan for 18 luxury mansions on pristine Kahuku oceanfront will continue if politicians continue to ignore protection of Oahu's last rural landscapes ("Plans could alter Kahuku shoreline," Star-Bulletin, April 1).

How many times do we have to endure off-island developers holding communities hostage with threats of approving their luxury oceanfront projects or face even bigger developments?

Our elected officials need to stand up for our local communities and not large corporations that are attempting to maximize their profits. No more "mansion improvements" on Hawaii's beautiful beaches!

Raising height limits in city makes sense

Increasing the building height limit in urban Honolulu is a great idea ("Sky's the limit," Star-Bulletin, April 1)! It will prevent urban sprawl by keeping the city city and the country country.

Higher densities would encourage the growth of a pedestrian-friendly city, and increase the use of rail and the bus.

Increased height limits will also allow for more efficient buildings. This includes larger square footage of units, higher ceilings, and more room to include amenities for residents, tenants and their guests.

There will be some citizens against progress, but they tend to have special agendas which should be disclosed. These protesters only offer complaints without any solutions. They are against virtually everything, from taller buildings, to rail, to big box retailers.

Senator's criticism of White unwarranted

I submitted testimony at the Senate hearing in support of Iwalani White's confirmation for director of public safety. She is a good woman with a remarkable track record.

It was clear that some of the senators did not understand the state's employment practices and bargaining agreements. The very practices that they criticized White for are, in fact, the state's negotiated employment practices with the unions.

Sen. Will Espero made a big issue of "banning" employees, but that is a common practice when a complaint is filed.

Two union leaders, Mel  Kahele and Dayton Nakanelua of the United Public Workers testified in support of White's nomination. That alone is a huge statement of labor support. And even though there were adult corrections officers who complained about the investigation practices, that is the current procedure set by the Unit 10 bargaining agreement. To use that as a reason for not selecting White simply shows that the committee lacks the knowledge to make an accurate assessment.

The Department of Public Safety needs leadership. White is fair and firm in her management style, not punitive, and not quick to make assumptions until she has all the facts. After years of rotating interim leadership at the department, the failure to confirm White would be an unfortunate loss for the state.

Don't let DOE stop student jobs program

Should a needed, effective program be shut down to fund bureaucracy? The Department of Education wants to discontinue the School to Work program and give the money to the DOE district offices.

School to Work employees help students decide on careers and education after high school. They provide counseling and workshops on finding jobs, filling out application forms, writing resumes and doing interviews. They tell students about job openings, get them work permits, arrange field trips to colleges, get speakers for classes and career fairs and arrange internships.

In recent years, the DOE cut the budget and neglected the program. Now the $800,000 will be hijacked by the district offices whose bureaucrats never show up at the schools, much less provide services to students. Principals asked permission to use their own budget to continue the program, but DOE said no.

Ironically, by 2010 students will be required to do career assessments, mock interviews and other employment preparation, even though the program is being terminated.

Instead of funding bureaucracy, there should be School to Work at every high school. If DOE diverts the money, funding should be ended.

Let's get rail transit moving right now

I'm pleased that the city is finally moving forward with a much needed rail system. We have been waiting for this for more than 30 years going back to the Frank Fasi administration. Had Honolulu moved ahead with rail at that time, we would be riding it in style and enjoying it. But as they say, better late than never! I want to be one of the first to ride the train. So let's get on with it as quickly as possible.