EDUCATION

STANDARDIZED TESTS SEND WRONG MESSAGE

As a teacher in the Department of Education, I have been both a witness and a victim to the pressure placed upon teachers to ensure that all students pass the high-stakes tests being administered to measure student achievement.

The message this sends to children is that their unique abilities are only deemed valuable when evaluated by a paper-and-pencil test as meeting or exceeding a set of pre-determined standards.

As a result, their feeling of self-worth diminishes and a disinterest in learning emerges. We are no longer living in the Industrial Age that prepared children to work in factories where they would be required to memorize and repeat information. Our current society possesses a strong need for critical thinking skills that will prepare its members to produce innovative results. When we force children to memorize and recite information, we are merely placing the plant in the pot and watching it as we know it should grow.

However, when we allow children to engage in meaningful activities that are relevant to their lives, we are planting the seed and waiting to see what could flourish as a result of our contribution to the development of their learning.

TESTS LIMIT KIDS FROM THINKING OUTSIDE BOX

As an elementary school teacher, I just got through administering the Hawaii State Assessment to my students.

I have administered this test for a couple of years now, but this year something different happened. This year I realized that the importance of this test for our school was affecting the lenses I used to view my students. Normally I see my students as inquisitive learners full of energy, bright smiles and ready to please.

However, during the weeks leading up to the statewide assessment, I saw little 8- year-olds who needed to get better at completing their thoughts within the parameters of boxes, who needed to master sitting silently in one place for over two hours, and who needed to be more serious about working entirely on their own without any collaboration with their peers.

Through these testing lenses I felt frustration and even a sense of hopelessness. However, one day during testing, I observed a student of mine crying. When I asked her why she had tears in her eyes, she just shook her head and said it (the test) was too much.

That moment made me take off those testing lenses and see my students exactly how I think young children should be. They should be thinking outside of boxes, they should be moving around and learning, and they should know how to successfully collaborate with their peers. After all, isn't that what we want for our children, and what employers are searching high and low for?

IMMIGRATION

NATIONAL ISSUE TAKES DIFFERENT MEANING HERE

Regarding comments by Edward Barinque of 'Ewa Beach on Immigration to America (May 7).

I would like to thank Ed for his thought-provoking question and answer to immigration issues, except I would like to put it into correct perspective as it relates to Hawai'i.

We (Native Hawaiians), agree with Mr. Barinque, as the same goes for Hawai'i since Hawai'i was never annexed to the U.S. This means that everyone who is not Hawaiian by nationality, and cannot show that their families were here before Jan. 16, 1893, and are not registered Hawaiian nationals, everyone — including Ed, his mother-in-law and his children — will have to become a member of our country club to be here legally.

LEGISLATURE

LAWMAKERS DESERVE PRAISE FOR ANIMAL BILL

I disagree with your recent editorial lambasting the Legislature's actions (or lack thereof) this session ("Leaders have little to crow about at legislative session's end," May 6). The truth is that the Legislature made tremendous strides on one very important issue that affects all Hawaiians: animal cruelty.

By finally passing a bill to make certain acts of terrible animal abuse a felony offense, the Legislature has brought Hawai'i in line with 43 other states that have already done so. Making animal cruelty a serious crime under the law benefits not only animals in the community but also people.

It is well known that people who abuse animals are more likely to behave abusively and violently towards people. For these reasons, it is imperative that animal abusers be dealt with harshly, so that they do not continue their violence against others, including people.

Mohandas Gandhi put it well when he said, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be measured by the way in which its animals are treated." Viewed in this light, the Legislature certainly has a lot to be proud of this session.

NONCHALANT ATTITUDE MAKES MISTAKE WORSE

I find May 10's headline regarding the giant loophole in the copper bill quite disturbing. I think what I find even more disturbing is Senator Hee's flippant attitude towards the whole situation. Mistakes happen; that's a fact.

However, I'm concerned when our legislators feel that not only do mistakes happen, but that they are acceptable. I hope when election time comes around we all seriously consider who we are putting in these powerful positions. Are the people we are electing honestly and sincerely working for our benefit, or for their own?

KAWELA BAY

COMMUNITY MUST PRESERVE ISLAND GEM

I had the opportunity to surf outside Kawela Bay a few weeks back. During my session I found myself again and again enjoying the natural beauty of the shoreline and the mountains. It truly is a magnificent tropical monument of old Hawai'i. We residents of O'ahu need to do whatever it takes to preserve these rare remaining under-developed areas.

I am not against development, but I believe it is overwhelmingly obvious this island does not need any more resorts — we have enough! Short-term construction jobs are followed by low-paying service employment, and that does not justify the destruction of one of the few remaining unexploited bays on the island.

Turtle Bay Resort and the multitude of vacation rentals is enough for the North Shore. Turning it into another Waikiki would ruin what makes this area unique and enjoyable.

Being a Florida native, I have seen first-hand how developers exploit and rape the land if there is money to be made and they are left unchecked. Grassroots organizations, such as the one being spearheaded by Mark Cunningham to save places like Kawela Bay, are usually the only defense against the reckless development, which is sadly often sanctioned by short-sighted politicians. If we all just sit on our hands, Kawela Bay will end up just another sad memory.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

ALL SITES SHOULD BE TESTED FOR URANIUM

It's the same old story on roads, healthcare, education, public safety, parks, the list goes on. We send our money to Honolulu, but we don't get much of anything back. We Neighbor Islands are treated like poor relations.

I am especially upset about the non-funding of a bill, (HB 1452, Rep. Green) that initially started out to test all suspected depleted uranium sites in Hawai'i. The bill was stripped down to just one site on O'ahu then sailed through several committees only to be de-funded in the middle of the night. We are getting the short end of the stick in many areas where our safety may be in jeopardy.

The bill to test all sites and personnel for DU is crucial to our well-being, more important than anything, since some contamination has already been discovered. HB 1452 cannot wait until next year and I urge everyone in the state to call or e-mail all representatives, to hold a special session and fund this bill! Please email: sens@capitol.hawaii.gov and reps@capitol.hawaii.gov. Then educate yourselves about DU.

WEST O'AHU

RAIL SYSTEM THE BIG PIECE MISSING IN STORY

Tuesday's May 8 article, "West O'ahu: Life's about to get a whole lot better," makes some very good points.

However, we're puzzled that an article about improving the quality of life in West O'ahu failed to mention the city's High-Capacity Transit project.

Representatives of the University of Hawai'i, the James Campbell Co. and other West O'ahu stakeholders recognize the benefits a rail system will bring West O'ahu and have given it their steadfast support.

Your article ignored the elephant in the room.

IRAQ

COL. YINGLING GOT HIS FACTS WRONG IN COLUMN

Col. Paul Yingling, in his commentary on May 9, had his facts wrong.

Competent generals have been driven out of the military service by the George W. Bush administration. A few of the generals are now speaking out about the debacle that is Iraq. Col. Yingling is also incorrect in his assertion that the generals did not explain the folly of the W administration's plan to invade and occupy Iraq.

General Eric Shinseki, before he was pushed out the door, warned that while the U.S. military could invade and overthrow in a walk, the U.S.A. did not have the troops and resources to sustain a prolonged occupation and rebuilding effort. General Shinseki's vision of the U.S. military, contrary to Col. Yingling's plan for a massive occupational force, is a lean, efficient, mobile quick-strike organization built for quick transformation from battle to peacekeeping and humanitarian aid and back.

Col. Yingling's bid for promotion is doomed to failure if he can not get his facts straight.

NFL FOOTBALL

BAD BEHAVIOR DEMANDS A CHANGE IN PRACTICES

In lieu of the recent negative publicity generated by some of the players of the NFL, I beg to ask this question of the commissioner:

Is the league doing enough to prevent future mishaps and ill behaviors by its players? Recently, numerous radio talk show hosts have publicly criticized Pac Man Jones, Michael Vick, Tank Johnson, and Chris Henry for behavior off the field.

All are deserving of all punishment levied against them, but is the money that will be withheld from the players during their suspension be used to fund better practices that allow the league to gain qualitative information about its players prior to being drafted?

It is the responsibility of Mr. Goodell and the league to implement better assessment tools to help the league procure individual players that have a better sense of valued conduct both on and off the field. Whatever practices are in place at the present time need to be re-evaluated.

DALAI LAMA

NO REASON TO FEAR INSPIRATIONAL LEADER

I am puzzled as to why Ed Enos seems to be so "disturbed by the idea of busing 1,000 public and private school kids to hear the message of the Dalai Lama" promoting peace and love in this crazy world we're creating. He fears it will bring God into their lives, violating separation of church and state. Mr Enos, Buddhism does not worship a deity so is not, by definition, a religion. It is a philosophy and only adds to our world's desperate need for peace and love.

Our youth are bombarded by violence, fear, confusion, and questions as to how to live amidst it all and if the Dalai Lama can touch people in only a positive way, then I say let's bus everybody to see him.

The ACLU spends much energy to protect the rights of speech to those who spout hatred and violence, yet seems to fear the Dalai Lama. Go figure.