Cayetano earned title of education governor

The teachers have made a lot of progress in the last six years. Under this governor, starting salaries for teachers will jump from $25,000 to $35,000. Add that to the record number of classrooms built in the state and the fact that the Department of Education has been protected from the budget cuts that other state departments withstood, and it's obvious that Governor Cayetano cares about education.

It's amazing that this governor's less than suave personality can expunge these achievements in so many minds. For me, I prefer substance over style.

Juliet A. F. Begley

Are Dems committed to education now?

So, now that the twin education strikes are over, is the Hawaii Democratic Party going to go back to being complacent about the quality of public education in Hawaii?

The politicians talked a good fight when the acute crisis was happening.

What about the chronic deteriorating situation?

Are they only all mouth?

Mike G. H. Chun
Seattle, Wash.
Formerly of Honolulu

[Quotables] "You could count the oceanographers on your hands. Now there are...thousands." Klaus Wyrtki, Retired University of Hawaii oceanographer, observing that when he began studying the ocean 50 years ago he was one of only a few in the field. Wyrtki, who helped pioneer the study of the El Nino phenomenon, was honored at a international science meeting here last week. "Certainly it's not everything everybody wanted...but it's a good start for certain issues." Bill Puette, University of Hawaii Professional Assembly board member, evaluating the new faculty contract. Puette said the contract is fair, though he will get a smaller raise than others covered by the agreement.

Chairmen need veto power over bills

The conference committee in the state Legislature is intended to resolve differences on bills that have passed the House and Senate to arrive at a mutually acceptable compromise. Because those bills are the result of a democratic decision-making process, they are assumed to be ready for final passage once differences have been worked out.

The longstanding House practice is to give equal standing to the co-chairmen of a conference committee, and requires their unanimity for passage. This protects the integrity of the bills and prevents legislative chaos.

If a majority of co-chairmen were permitted to override the Finance Committee co-chairman and pass bills that conflict with the state budget bill, it would invite chaos. "Budget-busting" appropriations would sprout from several conference committees. It would render the budget process meaningless and possibly drive the legislative process into gridlock.

Under the House approach, a co-chairman who exercises unilateral veto power is held accountable for that action. Moreover, House rules permit the removal of a co-chairman who acts arbitrarily or disregards the House position.

The House employs checks and balances to protect the integrity of the legislative process. It fosters collaboration among co-chairmen by conferring equal weight to all interests and imposes the gold standard of unanimity on conference decisions.

No system can guarantee perfection or total public satisfaction. But in the matter of final decisions on legislation, I believe a simple majority is not enough.

Rep. Marcus Oshiro
Majority Leader
D, 40th District (Wahiawa-Whitmore Village)

Song elicits hope behind prison walls

It is five minutes to nine here at O.C.C.C. We are outside our cells for the final headcount of the night. The A.C.O. (adult corrections officer) in charge allows us a song.

Out comes the facility's guitar and a inmate. His Filipino accent is so thick that during normal conversation you can't understand a word he is saying. But give the man a guitar and the English in his song would fill Julio Iglesias with envy. Tonight he chose the song, "Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Old Oak Tree."

As he strummed the guitar and sang his meaningful song, I looked around the module. Murder, auto theft, forgery, DUI, burglary and assault were just a few of the crimes committed by the faces that I saw become human. I could not help but feel for these men as I observed their child-like smiles as they sang along with the music.

I know that some of them will never see home again. I am lucky; I go home May 2. I wish I could do something for them, something like the staff here has done. From their hearts they have allowed some humanity into our lives.

I want to thank all the staff at O.C.C.C for saving my life. I am drug free now and hope to stay so. I wonder if my children will tie a yellow ribbon around a coconut tree for me?

Michael Spiker

Roosters are winning battle in Aiea, too

Lee Catterall's scratchpad editorial about rooster noise hit a real "chord" in our house. Our wonderful life, as we knew it, in quiet Aiea Heights came to a "crowing" end as roosters took over in the last year.

The problem with owning these disgusting birds in a suburban area is that they have wings and can fly away. A gaggle, tribe, group, herd, mess, whatever, of roosters and hens has invaded our backyard and those of our neighbors, and they love our lychee tree. They multiply faster than rabbits.

Sometimes they start crowing at 2:30 a.m. and your sleep is completely disrupted. Never have we prayed so hard for rain. At least a good downpour shuts them up. They eat our cat's food and foul our sidewalks.

Letters to City Council members have gotten no response. A call to the Hawaiian Humane Society offered us traps -- turns out they were cat traps. Explain to me how to entice a rooster with attitude into a cat trap. My husband and I now know why people snap. We are desperate for assistance.

Caryl Segawa

Annoying rooster crows off key

Having lived in Nuuanu near the Oahu Country Club, the residents of Ahipuu Street now have to put up with crowing roosters at all hours. It's bad enough that it's a crowing rooster, but this rooster can't even crow properly. Crowing style aside, it should be illegal for roosters to be raised in an urban setting.

Von Kenric Kaneshiro

Dobelle could be worth every penny

I do not recall your publication's reaction to the salary of the University of Hawaii football coach being as dramatic as your reaction to the incoming UH president's salary. Isn't June Jones' salary also higher than our governor's and the U.S. president's salaries?

If Dobelle is able to turn our state university around, then let's pay him what he's worth. If he is as effective as the regents say, he should more than pay for himself. Our state needs a good, solid university system with a good, solid leader.

Thelma Gretzinger

---

Letter guidelines The Star-Bulletin welcomes letters that are crisp and to the point on issues of public interest. The Star-Bulletin reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and length. Please direct comments to the issues; personal attacks will not be published. Letters must be signed, must include a mailing address and daytime telephone number. Letter form: Online form, click here E-mail: letters@starbulletin.com Fax: (808) 529-4750 Mail: Letters to the Editor, Honolulu Star-Bulletin 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813