Science programs encourage students

Hawaii's public-school students' dismal performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, a national science test, is a wake-up call to everyone involved in science. Forty-nine percent of fourth-graders and 60 percent of eighth-graders scored below the basic skill levels.

The Hawaii Academy of Science, in partnership with the University of Hawaii, sponsors two science education programs: the Hawaii State Science and Engineering Fair and the Pacific Symposium for Science and Sustainability.

The main goal is to get students interested in science by doing science.

The science fair program encourages hands-on scientific inquiry. Each year, about 6,000 students conduct scientific experiments, summarize the results on display boards and compete in their school science fairs.

The better projects advance to district science fairs, and finally about 350 students are selected to compete at the state science fair.

The Pacific Symposium for Science and Sustainability is for high-school students in Hawaii and the Pacific islands.

This symposium is patterned after professional conferences and includes social events and field trips together with the presentation of papers. This event, which will be held February 8-10 next year, is free for all students whose papers are selected for presentation.

Ed Cadman, MD
President, Hawaii Academy of Science and dean, John A. Burns School of Medicine

One man's dream of improving traffic flow

Here's a Rush-Hour Traffic Relief-A Vision:

Use the bike path between Renton Road in Ewa and McGrew Point in Aiea. A feasibility study needs to be done by City and State highway engineers.

Have one-lane, one-way traffic between 5-8 a.m. Monday through Friday, then the same in the opposite direction between 4-7 p.m. No trucks or buses.

Do we need the consent of joggers and bikers for the greater good? We can return to present use when permanent planning and construction for traffic relief is completed. No condemnation is required; the land is already in public domain.

Even if speed were limited to 20 mph, it would be faster than present, and it's a scenic route.

Ted Farm
Ewa Beach

[Quotables] "It's going to cost whatever it costs to get it done, and the responsible parties are going to pay for it." Gary Gill State deputy director of environmental health, on cleaning up oil that is leaking into Honolulu Harbor. Health Director Bruce Anderson has said in the past that the total cleanup could cost millions of dollars. Authorities are trying to find the source of the oil. "The ecosystem is thriving and intact. There's no place left like it on Earth." Alan Friedlander Oceanic Institute fisheries ecologist, describing the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

Fluoridation not as scary as some think

Kudos to Rep. Dennis A. Arakaki, Myren R. Severin, D.D.S. and the Star-Bulletin for their stand in supporting fluoridation of Lanai's water system.

They are educated people who have read the facts and came to the obvious conclusion that fluoridation is safe and cost effective. They did not listen to ignorant people who continue to misrepresent the facts and use of scare tactics.

It's easier to fear something than to understand it. This is the case with our legislature. The 46 representatives and senators who threatened the Department of Health to cut funding have not taken the time to investigate the facts.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), American Medical Association, American Dental Association, American Cancer Society and other respected groups support fluoridation. In fact, the CDC on Aug. 17 again recommended that all water systems should be fluoridated. An October study from the University of Texas concluded that fluoride, in combination with vitamin D and calcium, increases bone mass and lowers the risk of backbone fractures associated with osteoporosis.

Fluoridation is safe. Almost 145 million Americans drink it every day and have saved 40 billion dollars in oral health costs during the past 40 years. Fluoridation will continue to be studied on its benefits.

John Ornellas
Lanai City

Ethnic Heritage events relieve stress

Having attended more than half of the Hawaii Ethnic Heritage Series, I find them very entertaining. Each one was a treat and unique in itself. These are usually held at the beautiful courtyard at City Hall at 7 p.m. on Fridays.

I recommend that everyone experience these events. In difficult times, the cultural events offer good entertainment and relaxation. The events are also free.

Congratulations and mahalo to Mayor Harris for such an excellent idea, and to the Director of the Culture and Art, Peter Radulovic, who coordinates the events.

The next event is Jan. 11.

Joseph W.C. Young

Hawaii politics keeps children ignorant

I am fed up with Hawaii's Democratic Party politics and the current state of the educational system. Here is the way I see it:

To maintain a functional democratic, capitalist society where the people think and act and build their society for themselves, an educational system second to none at all levels is imperative.

To maintain a liberal, socialist society where handouts are the norm, and where no one even knows what questions to ask of their leaders, who cares?

Where does Hawaii fit in this scenario today? How about tomorrow? Think about it. Act on it. You will benefit if you do.

Gregg Love
Nuuanu

Little Beach provides haven for tourists

I, along with several friends, have been to Maui on vacation 3 times. One of the main reasons that we return is to enjoy Little Beach au naturel.

In our travels throughout the tropics, Little Beach is at the top of our list of clothing-optional beaches. With so many miles of "textile" beaches, does this small, secluded stretch of sand really need to be regulated?

Little Beach is the reason we would return to Maui with our tourist dollars. Please keep it natural.

Julie Garner
Villa Park, CA

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