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Intermediate teachers do a special job

A middle school is a place where children in their adolescent years can feel safe learning and growing. People have correctly described middle schools as a bridge from childhood to young adulthood.

Do you remember what it was like as a pubescent teen? It was a scary time. The security that we knew during our elementary years was gone, our bodies growing and uncoordinated.

We thought we were invincible, but failed often. We were not yet adults, but we were no longer children, either.

Today's middle schools continue to guide students through this difficult period. Due to the special needs of adolescents, it takes a special kind of person to teach them. It takes someone who knows what these needs are and how to best address them.

I have seen many examples of successful middle schools, with successful students. So, to all the middle school teachers out there -- congratulations on another successful year. You are special people doing much for the young people of Hawaii.

George Honzaki
Kaneohe

Quotables "Mommy, I'm the only one (in class) who could read the big words!" Cami Tanouye BIG ISLAND FIRST-GRADER Who, thanks to an eye test sponsored by the Hilo Lions Club, was diagnosed with far-sightedness and fitted with glasses "We should have stayed in Japan." Bernard K. Kinney WAIPIO RESIDENT Mourning his 66-year-old wife, Yuriko, who died in a fire at their home. They resided in Japan for 47 years. "The community wants and needs two newspapers." Cec Heftel MILLIONAIRE EX-CONGRESSMAN AND BROADCAST MEDIA OWNER On his announced interest in buying the Star-Bulletin

UH will miss sex-equity official

I want to express my sorrow at another victory for the University of Hawaii administration and another loss for civil rights. The forcing out of Susan Hippensteele as UH sex equity specialist will mean less equality on an already extremely racist and sexist campus.

Populated with a faculty that is 70 percent white male, UH is well-known for retaliating against anyone, teacher or student, who raises a voice in protest of sexual discrimination and harassment.

Knowing that the university will be filling the sex equity specialist job and two others with one person -- who will likely be overwhelmed and who may be chosen for his/her incompetence in and/or apathy for that position -- adds to the mounting anger and injustice on campus. Meanwhile, the UH administration doesn't care, particularly since it's all at the expense of taxpayers.

I happily graduated from UH this past spring, but I have little comfort in knowing that an incompetent administration has been able to upkeep its legendary intolerance of women and minorities.

Scott Foulk

Genetically altered food needs more study

Some Hawaii politicians are eager to promote farming with genetically engineered (GE) seeds on the land and in the coastal waters with algae. There are good reasons for promoting this industry, including money, jobs and generous campaign contributions.

When GE crops were destroyed on Kauai, its politicians were very upset. Yet, in Europe, many people are opposed to GE and destruction of these crops is not uncommon. While many scientists are pro-genetic engineering, just as many oppose the rapid increase in GE food crops.

The very idea of breaking open DNA molecules with viruses and injecting genes from other species into food seeds or ocean algae, many times inaccurately, is suspect until more long-term peer reviewed research is completed.

This technology is very new, with few published studies. Therefore, wouldn't it be best for more peer-reviewed research to be completed before we stake the future on GE?

One good study -- showing that GE foods are toxic to humans or bad for the environment, thereby putting an end to the whole industry -- can be read at www.safe-food.org, www.purefood.org, www.genetic-ID.com or www.bio-integrity.org.

Jean N. DeVries

Is land purchase to grow trees or build homes?

Strother Timberlands Ltd. says its only business is timber. Yet your June 10 story said the company intends to get involved in residential development. So who's telling the truth?

Strother recently purchased property on the Big Island in the name of its subsidiary, Puna Forestry. The size, location and other details of that purchase were not announced.

In 1998, Strother bought 1,068 acres of pasture land to grow timber on and to "subdivide into residential parcels."

It also bought 2,180 acres from Hawaiian Anthuriums that year, about 1.5 miles away from the 1,068-acre parcel.

According to Hank Correa, a real estate agent with Prudential Orchid Isle Properties, "Their sole line of work is timber...and they are here acquiring properties for that purpose."

I hope that our Big Island infrastructure -- especially our roads and water system -- is upgraded to meet the needs of those who want to make money from our land.

Robert G. Devine
Ocean View, Hawaii

Kamehameha parade should be rerouted, funded by state

The annual Kamehameha parade is the oldest parade in Hawaii, beginning in 1916. As originally envisioned, it emphasized cultural pride and honored Kamehameha the Great.

Unfortunately, the parade is no longer a cultural event. Over the years, the purpose has shifted to the revenue-generating interests of the visitor industry.

For this reason, my family and I no longer participate in the parade. Others who have strong pride in their Hawaiian heritage should not do so either.

In 1997, the state withheld funding for the annual parade. Hawaiian Airlines generously sponsored the parade that year and since. Yet -- at the same time -- it was unable to give its employees pay increases and faced pressing financial obligations of its own.

The governor stated that private businesses should fund the parade since they reap the financial benefits associated with the event.

However, since the parade generates hundreds of thousands of tax dollars, the parade deserves state funding.

The parade route itself, down Kalakaua Avenue, is intended to maximize tourist participation and does nothing to actually honor our great king. In 1997, I suggested that the parade be rerouted. Beginning at Magic Island, it should proceed to the Kamehameha statue, where homage would be paid to the king, then continue onto the grounds of Iolani Palace. There, homage could be paid at the statue of Queen Liliuokalani.

The true meaning of the parade has been obliterated by those wanting to maximize profit and, as such, is a sacrilege to our Hawaiian culture. To reroute the parade in the manner described above would restore its cultural significance.

Sen. Whitney T. Anderson
Minority Leader

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