Bus plan will stifle downtown traffic

Downtown drivers should be aware that the planners for the Bus Rapid Transit system intend to make Richards Street virtually a dedicated route for the BRT. Current plans are for two lanes to be devoted to BRT buses -- one lane each in the mauka and maikai directions.

Buses will operate every two to four minutes during peak hours. At such frequency, traffic on King, Merchant and Queen streets will come to a virtual halt due to the timing of traffic lights to permit buses the right of way. Considering the congestion now on those streets at peak hours, one can only wonder at the pending gridlock that will occur.

Lastly, a new intersection will be created among Richards and Halekauwila streets and Nimitz Highway to accommodate these two new BRT routes, with the resulting ripple effect on feeder streets due to the priority given BRT buses.

Planners have turned a deaf ear to the Downtown Neighborhood Board, business owners and residents who oppose their plans to inflict a monumental traffic problem on citizens in the downtown area.

Charles M. Ferrell

Hirono's record surpasses Case's

Ed Case couldn't be more off base about Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono's leadership (Star-Bulletin, Aug. 19). For 20 years, she has served as a leader in the Legislature and as our lieutenant governor. As a representative, her tireless efforts led to her nickname, "the consumer crusader."

Her work to support lessees was ahead of her time. And for those who live in condos, her efforts resulted in many improvements to condo laws.

As lieutenant governor, she set out to help businesses by working to lower workers' compensation rates and creating the HEMIC insurance company to offer insurance to businesses when other companies wouldn't insure them.

Now she is working to improve education as chairwoman of NCTAF-HI, a policy group responsible for creating and pushing a majority of the education bills through the Legislature last session, providing teachers with incentives to help them in their classrooms.

In addition, she authored the bill that allows taxpayers to support school repair and maintenance through a $2 check off on 2001 state tax forms.

Her leadership style is one to be admired as she makes a point of bringing diverse groups of people together to solve problems.

Bill Puette

Criticism of school charters unjust

The criticism of the Department of Education's personnel and the Board of Education by the Hawaii Association of Charter Schools regarding the granting of the last three charter schools allowed by law is unfounded. There were more than four applicants but only three -- Ipu Ha'a, Niihau School of Kekaha and the University Laboratory School -- met all of the necessary requirements. That is why they were granted charters.

While I can understand the disappointment of those affiliated with Ka Lama Ku, the fact remains that they did not complete the required "detailed implementation plan" and did not have a site. What they submitted was an unsigned letter from Kamehameha Schools expressing an interest in working with them to explore using property owned by Kamehameha Schools. It was not an offer or commitment. Also, the receipt of federal funds for planning does not guarantee that a charter will be granted.

All applicants for charters were sent written notices that the deadline was imminent and that all requirements had to be fulfilled and submitted for consideration. The department's records can substantiate the date of receipt of all information.

Donna Ikeda
Chairwoman
Ad Hoc Committee on Charter Schools
Board of Education

[Quotables] "The bill ... would label the Maui County Council as anti-education and anti-research." Lou Herman, University of Hawaii professor and director of the Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal Laboratory, on a bill before the council to prohibit the exhibition of dolphins and whales on Maui. If passed, the bill may prevent the lab from relocating to a proposed Maui park. "I have to just go about my job not worrying about the union or the state and just focusing on my students." Cary Kano, Director of physical education at Roosevelt High School, who said he is trying to ignore the teachers' contract dispute with the state and concentrate on the resumption of classes.

Contract wording is quite clear

As I looked over the Hawaii State Teachers Association contract that I voted to ratify last spring I noticed something intriguing. There is absolutely no reference to a fixed amount of funding to cover the 3 percent pay differential for teachers with advanced degrees.

The only thing that is spelled out is that, "Teachers who hold professional certificates based on a master's degree or a professional diploma shall receive a 3 percent differential calculated on their current salary each year."

Isn't it strange that the governor would persist in asserting that the agreement was only for a fixed amount of $6 million and that both negotiating teams understood that it was only funded for one year?

Wouldn't a competent negotiator make sure that this important wording was included in the contract?

Won't it be sad when even fewer young people choose a teaching career and state negotiator Davis Yogi is appointed to a position with even greater responsibility?

Scot Drown
Waipahu

Cost of fluoridating water is questionable

State Health Director Bruce Anderson has earmarked $100,000 of the state's tobacco settlement fund to fluoridate Lanai's city water. He should not use it for fluoridation. It should be used for anti-tobacco programs and education on the health risks. Has Anderson initiated any such programs? How much has the Health Department spent on them?

Has Anderson informed the people of Lanai about the cost of implementing fluoridation, its maintenance and operational costs? What is the percentage of the water used for drinking? How many children under 12 will be drinking fluoridated water?

There are alternatives to fluoridation, such as employing more dental hygienists to teach people, especially children, about flossing, brushing their teeth and avoiding sugary junk food and soda. Others are fluoride treatments and taking fluoride tablets.

On the negative side of fluoridation, aluminum compounds released from metal utensils during cooking are 1,000 times the aluminum leaked by non-fluoridated water. Aluminum has been found to be toxic in the body, affecting the neurological system. Fluorides cause discoloration of the teeth and are bad for individuals with allergies.

The ultimate goal of Anderson is to fluoridate Oahu's drinking water at a cost of at least $21 million. Lanai is the stepping stone.

How Tim Chang

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