People feel sorry for students at Radford

It is hard to enjoy school when it looks like a broken-down warehouse. Paint is peeling off the ceiling and our stadium looks like an old rodeo ranch. If we made some changes, people would respect and take Radford more seriously. Right now, when I mention where I go to school, they say, "Oh." What they really want to say is, "Oh, I feel sorry for you."

Nobody wants to be known as the "Termite School." We want the same amount of respect as Moanalua High. If the only way to get that is to fix up the school, so be it.

Carline Chery
Grade 10,
Radford High

Where do school maintenance funds go?

I read a letter to the editor stating that the federal government should pay for repairs at Radford High School. This is not the answer. In 1994 I took an adult education class at McKinley High School and noticed the test books on the shelves dated back to 1978.

The same deterioration problems have also existed at McKinley and other Hawaii schools.

Federal dollars as well as state dollars are not paying for new books and maintaining these schools. Where is this money being diverted?

Tax dollars cannot just be paying for teachers and administrators. Until we find out where the politicians are diverting the funds provided for our public schools, all the federal dollars in the world will not help our children. I would like to see all parents demand an independent audit before we ask the federal government for more money.

Ronald Edmiston

UH doesn't appreciate the health sciences

Who cares if the University of Hawaii doesn't get a world-class biotechnology center? So what if the UH School of Public Health loses its accreditation and shuts down?

After all, the medical school has a New Age faith-healing center. And the university's continuing education programs feature an abundance of classes on the "miracles" of macrobiotic medicine, biomagnetic healing, herbal medicine, healing with flower essences, homeopathy and astrology.

The success of these programs proves that we don't need science-based nutrition and health-care classes, or teachers with real degrees.

I have a master's of science in nutrition, and my three books have been praised by many acclaimed medical scientists. But for years, my applications to teach a UH class critically examining popular diets and nutrition practices have been rejected in favor of those promoting diet fads, taught by people without degrees.

Disappointed at first, I have come to understand the error of my ways and the wisdom of the powers-that-be at UH. Science is far too complex and difficult for our simple people. The state is better off without it.

Kurt Butler
Kula, Maui

"I declare this a free-speech zone." Mitchell Kahle PRESIDENT OF THE HAWAII CITIZENS FOR SEPARATION OF STATE AND CHURCH As he put "Keep Church and State Separate" bumper stickers on the doors of legislators' offices to protest religious symbols at the state Capitol "I didn't kill my brother. I killed a monster." Timothy Culkin SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS FOR THE MURDER OF HIS BROTHER, THOMAS On why the Aiea resident fatally stabbed his sibling, who was on drugs at the time of his death

Legislation would hurt local tour operators

As a frequent traveler on chartered tours to Las Vegas, I am worried about SB 1513 and HB 1361. The bills relating to charter tour operators have safeguards for the touring public. However, the amount of $1 million to cover the bond appears highly excessive.

This amount will make it impossible for any local travel agency to start a chartered tour operation. These bills appear to have been especially made for deep-pocketed mainland operators. They will create a monopoly for firms such as Vacations Hawaii.

These bills were based on the unfortunate experience of Jimmy's Travel. However Jimmy Lee had very little, if any, previous charter tour experience.

These bills will create a monopoly for big firms and erect a barrier for local people in the travel industry who, some day, may want to venture into the chartered tours.

Eileen Maeshiro

Laser pointers must be kept away from kids

Once an expensive presentation tool used by educators and presenters, laser pointers have become widespread among the general public, especially among children. Their increase in popularity is due to their low cost and fanciful designs.

However, people are using the laser pointers in ways not intended by manufacturers. Unwanted red dots can be constantly seen in classrooms, at sporting events, on movie screens and during concerts.

This is why I support the bill passed by the City Council on March 18. This bill bans minors from purchasing or possessing laser pointers, and makes harassment with them illegal.

In addition to this law, the public needs education -- through public service announcements -- about the dangers of misusing laser pointers, which include vision impairment and permanent eye damage.

Marlene Baldueza
Ewa Beach

Unions are destroying these islands

Hawaii is the most unionized state in the country, and its economy is the only one in the toilet bowl. The unions almost shot themselves in the foot by not being realistic about the "Baywatch" situation. Unions do not negotiate; they dictate.

Leo Reed, head of the Teamsters, stated that he would not accept less pay for his members, so there was almost no work for them at all.

Donald Allen

Hawaii is far from a 'techno-center'

It is with more than a bit of incredulity to hear Governor Cayetano's statements about Hawaii becoming the "Techno-Center of the Pacific." As a visitor whose stays vary in duration, I decided to make use of the state's public access line for the Internet. It is obvious the Cayetano administration never visits or uses these systems.

Baud rates of 9600 (the effervescent FYI) and an equally poorly performing 14400 for the Direct Access System are pathetic. A regular phone call could garner information in about the same time.

If Cayetano is attempting to tout Hawaii as a technology center, he should do more than make rhetorical teaser statements.

Wishing for technological achievements won't make them so.I sometimes wish to be the king of Russia, but it will never be!

Nicholas Romanov Jr.
Via the Internet

Legislature Directory
Hawaii Revised Statutes
Legislature Bills

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