Honolulu Lite
It always amazes me how a mere threat of legal action by one or two people can make a bureaucracy the size of the state Department of Education roll over like a whipped pup. When principals don’t
stick to their principlesIt could be nice to see a public school principal -- when threatened by someone who doesn't like the Pledge of Allegiance being said in class, or an American flag hung on a wall, or a picture of George Washington in the hallway, or a dress code that bars satanic glorification -- just tell that person to shove it.
I want to see a principal say, "You know what? You may be right. It may be unconstitutional to have a dress code that bars satanic symbols on clothing in public schools. I don't think so. Since I'm the principal, my word is what counts here. And until I'm ordered by the schools superintendent to change the dress code, it stands. But you have every right to try and prove your position in a court of law. So, run along and file your lawsuit. Hope you have a lot of money, because the state Attorney General's Office has a ton of attorneys ready to fight to the mat on this issue."
But faced with a lone dress code complaint by someone who doesn't even have a child in Kaimuki High School, Principal Gary Oyama rolled over and immediately changed the school's dress code, allowing clothes depicting Satanism to be worn.
A Department of Education spokesman says the DOE will ask for an opinion by the attorney general. Big deal.
Oyama should have told the lone complainer to take a hike. If someone thinks children have a constitutional right to worship Satan in public schools, make them pay for it. Let them file the lawsuit and challenge the school policy.
I say this even though I'm not specifically against students wearing clothes and costumes that let everyone know how screwed up they are. When everyone dresses alike, it's hard to figure out who's brought his dad's gun to school. But if some guy's wearing a "Hail Satan! Death to the Football Team!" T-shirt, it kind of lets you know where that guy is coming from. The trouble with a uniform dress code is it makes it too hard to spot the loony.
Nevertheless, when a principal capitulates under minor pressure from one or two whiners, it makes it seem he's not in charge of his school, just in attendance.
Got to keep on givin'
Since Sept. 11, people have been asked to give more of themselves than ever before. And, frankly, between the Twin Tower funds, Red Cross, United Way and other charities asking for donations, people may be feeling a bit tapped out. But before Sept. 11, there were plenty of people who needed help in the community, and they are still here.Bobby Kemp, longtime Kaneohe resident and avid fisherman, is in a battle for his life with cancer. I don't know Bobby. But I know a lot of his friends, and they have joined the battle. They are holding a fund-raiser barbecue on Feb. 23 at the Kaneohe Yacht Club to help Bobby out. For a calabash donation of $20, you can help out, too, and enjoy live music by Renegade and the Waiahole Ditch Band along with a big Southern barbecue spread. For details, call 478-5651 or 371-4672.
Alo-Ha! Friday compiles odd bits of news from Hawaii
and the world to get your weekend off to an entertaining start.
Charles Memminger also writes Honolulu Lite Mondays,
Wednesdays and Sundays. Send ideas to him at the
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 7-210,
Honolulu 96813, phone 235-6490 or e-mail cmemminger@starbulletin.com.
The Honolulu Lite online archive is at:
https://archives.starbulletin.com/lite