Brainstorm! Challenge

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Young drivers spread message about racing

I usually take great exception to the phase "street racing," as by definition racing does not occur on a public street. However, I am pleased to embrace the organization of Car Enthusiasts Against Street Racing -- CEASR. Initiated by a group of young car enthusiasts tired of taking the rap for the illegal speeding and horrific consequences of their irresponsible counterparts, these young adults want to demonstrate personal responsibility.

With the goals of education -- by example -- and fund raising for community benefit, I challenge the media and local businesses to support their efforts. Skip creation of legislation; simply enforce existing statutes and as a community demand personal responsibility of all drivers. Often the passion of a tragedy will bring positive social change (i.e., Mothers Against Drunk Drivers). This is a beginning worth all our support.

Pam Witty-Oakland
Makakilo

Bank came through with school computers

Every day we hear about businesses partnering with schools, but sometimes the simplest assistance is overlooked.

Palolo Elementary School is a small school with a big heart. Our teachers work hard to help each of our students achieve the high standards set for them. Many of our students come from immigrant backgrounds and English is not their primary language. Our students need every opportunity to learn in order to succeed.

Like a few other companies, American Savings Bank stepped in recently to help us out. It donated more than 40 computers to our school to complete a working computer lab. Our students will be able to learn the basic computer skills needed in our society today, including word processing and simple Windows applications. Great things can happen when businesses get involved.

We are thankful for American Savings Bank's generosity, and it warms our hearts to know that it cares about our students and our community.

Ruth Silberstein
Principal
Palolo Elementary School

Recycling success will take more than 1 bin

As wonderful as recycling seems in the abstract, the mayor's curbside program fails the common sense test. Recycling firms won't accept mixed materials, as sorting it all defeats profitability. So who's going to sort it after the city picks it up?

If Mayor Harris is serious about recycling, we'll all need many bins for recyclables, not just one.

Rich Peck
Honolulu

Centralized BOE has built-in inequities

When Rick Lloyd contends in his letter of Feb. 24 that decentralizing the public schools will lead to inequities, implying that such inequities do not currently exist, he is perpetuating a myth. I have observed that significant inequities do exist under the statewide Board of Education system; anyone who doubts it need only spend one hour inspecting the Kaiser High School campus and then one hour inspecting Kahuku's campus (or Waianae's or Nanakuli's or Hana Maui's or ...).

Because our BOE has no autonomy in disbursing funds, the most powerful state legislators -- and their most well-heeled constituents -- can manipulate the process to divert monies to their home districts.

Another myth needs to be exploded. The notion that the general public is not as know-ledgeable about effective educational infrastructure as are professional educators leads many to conclude that it would be dangerous to put the issue to the people in a statewide referendum. Based on my 27 years of experience as an educator I must tell you that many bureaucrats have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo. Conversely, many of my peers, who are not slaves to the party line, realize that our current system is doomed to perpetuate a cycle of mediocrity.

The same process that would institute the seven-board structure could be used to change it back if it doesn't work out. Our children could hardly be worse off because of the experiment.

David Kammerer
Laie, Hawaii

Stormy day brightens drive to airport

I can relate to the Marine who got hit by lightning on Feb. 26 on the windward side of Oahu (Star-Bulletin, Feb. 27). As I was driving my car that day across an overpass toward the Honolulu airport, a loud boom sounded approximately 20 feet away from the right side of my car. I glanced toward the right and saw a bolt of the white lightning with the tail of it in red amber ashes. It happened so fast, I did not know what to think.

Michael Nomura
Kailua

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[ BRAINSTORM! ] Does Honolulu need a city museum, and what should be in it? Does history matter? If so, whose history? Bishop Museum is one of the leading cultural museums in the United States, but it is not a history center. Honolulu seems to be the only state capital city without a municipal museum. Does Honolulu need a city museum? What should be in it? Where should it be? Should such a museum be a collection of artifacts or a learning center? Would such a museum be geared for Hawaii education or for entertaining tourists? Send your ideas by March 17 to: brainstorm@starbulletin.com Or mail them to: Brainstorm! c/o Nancy Christenson Star-Bulletin 500 Ala Moana 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Fax: Brainstorm! c/o Nancy Christenson 529-4750