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Editorials
Wednesday, May 24, 2000Stronger enforcement
of alcohol, gun lawsTHE killing of a youth at a birthday party in Ewa Beach was reported in the same editions of this newspaper as the results of a government sting operation that uncovered 116 Oahu businesses illegally selling alcoholic beverages to underage persons.The issue: A police sting has uncovered widespread illegal sales of alcoholic beverages to minors.
Although it isn't known at this writing whether alcohol was consumed by the killer or if so whether it was obtained illegally, there is no question that consumption of alcohol and other drugs can contribute to violence. The availability of firearms was obviously another contributing factor.
The victim of the Saturday night shooting was an 18-year-old who had emigrated from the Philippines only last December. He was described by teachers at Farrington High School as a personable young man with a good reputation who tried hard to make friends. Another youth, 19, was stabbed in the same incident and was in guarded condition at a hospital.
Police said the violence erupted after a group of four to six youths "crashed" the party, then left, only to return armed with a handgun, baseball bat and knife. Witnesses said the gunman fired three or four shots before fleeing.
The sting operation was conducted by the city and state. Youths aged 18 to 20 were sent to randomly selected stores to try to buy alcoholic beverages, accompanied by Liquor Commission investigators and police officers.
From June to August 1999, they visited 292 businesses and found 79.5 percent in compliance with the law. From January through April this year the program was continued, with 296 businesses checked. This time, however, the checks were conducted in the evening, while last year's checks were made in the daytime. In the later checks, the businesses refusing to sell alcohol illegally dropped to 61 percent -- indicating that violations were disturbingly widespread.
State Health Director Bruce Anderson said teen-age drinking contributes to crime, auto accidents, injuries and deaths and is related to teen-age pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and other health problems.
Tough sanctions are needed to deal with this problem. Liquor licenses for the offending businesses can be revoked or suspended; they can be fined as much as $2,000. Proprietors must learn to take this law seriously. However, parents must take responsibility as well.
As for the menace stemming from the availability of firearms, the mass-murder trial of Byran Uyesugi is a chilling illustration of the potential for tragedy. The Legislature unfortunately refused to enact a bill that would have required periodic reregistration of guns, a measure that might have resulted in Uyesugi losing his firearms collection.
Computers in school
PUBLIC schools across the nation have begun entering the computer age. Hawaii's economic problems have made it difficult to afford a robust effort to join the movement, but the question is whether the state's school system can afford to lag behind.
Hawaii's public schools average 6.7 students for every computer, significantly behind the national average of 5.7 students per computer and ranking among the 10 worst states, according to Education Week magazine. Computer access within the Hawaii school system is widely disparate, ranging from Kalaheo High School's cyber-starved 17.1 students per computer to several elementary schools and the Big Island's Keeau High that have a computer for every other student.
"There simply isn't enough money," says Carol Petersen, principal of Mililani Mauka Elementary School, which nevertheless can boast a 3.6-students-per-computer ratio. Although Mililani Mauka was built as a showcase technology school, Petersen points out that the computers that were installed seven years ago are now obsolete, and new software is also needed.
Obtaining computers understandably takes a back seat to acquisition of textbooks and general school maintenance.
"I think the basic issues of literacy, citizenship, computation and clear thinking do not rest on the number of computers you have in the school," says Kalaheo Principal James Schlosser. "A student can receive quality education without a great deal of computers." But an adequate supply of computers certainly helps.
Schlosser believes the initiative for increasing the number of computers should come from the Legislature. However, legislators are not likely to act unless educators press them about the need for more computers.
Governor Cayetano announced a number of initiatives in his State of the State address to achieve success in what he calls the "New Economy," embracing modern technology. They include retraining workers, offering state services online and creating various programs aimed at preparing the state for the new century, some involving community colleges and high schools. However, an ambitious effort to increase the number of computers in public schools was not among them, nor was it among the "New Economy" measures approved by the Legislature.
The state government's effort to upgrade Hawaii's position in the new era of high technology is laudable. Preparing children for jobs in such an economy must be an integral part of that effort. That can't be achieved without enough computers in the schools.
Published by Liberty Newspapers Limited PartnershipRupert E. Phillips, CEO
John M. Flanagan, Editor & Publisher
David Shapiro, Managing Editor
Diane Yukihiro Chang, Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor
Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner, Assistant Managing Editors
A.A. Smyser, Contributing Editor
