EDUCATION

STUDENTS AND TEACHERS DESERVE MORE SUPPORT

I can't stop thinking about a letter (Aug. 9) that said football coaches deserve more money than Hawai'i's public school teachers because coaches are "doing their job" by winning games, but teachers are not.

Coaches select their players. If players don't have talent or don't excel, they get cut. The consequences for failure are harsh, and players have to work hard just to stay on the team.

Hawai'i's public school teachers can't pick students, but must strive to provide a quality education to each and every child regardless of his or her ability, background, native language and learning ability. Should we simply "cut" those who don't shine?

Coaches get lots of support, including financial backing, parental and even community involvement. They get team uniforms, equipment and other kinds of help, usually without having to ask.

Teachers rarely get the benefit of boosters or involved and committed parents. Teachers have to pay for school supplies out of their own pockets. Many work in run-down classrooms without air conditioning. They have the very unglamorous job of getting every child to learn — many of whom come from dysfunctional homes and rebel against being in class.

If we are serious about Hawai'i's future, don't our children deserve the same level of commitment in the classroom we provide them as athletes? I hope the answer is "yes."

YOUNG AMERICANS

MANDATORY SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY GOOD IDEA

In response to Ann Beeson's letter of Sept. 15 regarding mandatory military service, it would be good for our country to consider this concept in light of our failed policies in the Middle East and our tremendous needs at home.

As a military veteran (1960s-1970s), I would suggest that service be to our country and not just to our military.

For our sons or daughters who do not wish to serve in the active-duty military, other community-based service would be mandatory.

Serving at home working with vulnerable populations of children, parents, seniors is just as valuable as putting on a military uniform to defend our country.

The payback comes in educational experience, service to our population and infrastructure and an ethic of assistance, not just war and occupation of foreign countries.

The college and/or trade- school tuition for these young people could be paid for, in part or full, by these two years of mandatory service.

With nearly 4,000 American service members killed and 30,000 wounded in Iraq, such an alternative is worthy of consideration.

SUPERFERRY

PROTESTERS WILL BECOME PASSENGERS IN TIME

Years ago, when plans were under way to build a 7-Eleven store in Ka'a'awa, many of the surrounding residents protested because of the concern of increased traffic, more pollution, etc.

Since being built, people who protested against it patronize it today.

People who once protested against the H-3 use it today.

I guarantee that once the Superferry resumes service, those who protested against it will become regular passengers and will enjoy it very much.

ROCK DISCOVERY SHOWS NEED FOR ALAKAI EIS

I am troubled by the report on the accidental discovery (via the unplanned stranding of three pickup trucks on Maui) of plundered river rock to be taken aboard the Superferry.

Department of Land and Natural Resources Chairwoman Laura Thielen may have a point that poachers will violate the laws with or without it, but the Superferry offers a tantalizing means to do so.

Logically, new burdens on DLNR's overstretched enforcement division adversely affect our environmental protection.

The Superferry director of business development's response that "the company would be open to having its employees receive training from DLNR in recognizing possible conservation violations" is like the patient, upon discovery of a new ailment, trying to write his own prescription.

Yet the problem of detecting and enforcing against illegal intentional transport pales in comparison to the challenge posed by unintentional transport of damaging invasive species, which are undeterred by the threat of prosecution and not prone to masquerading as 900 pounds of rock.

The need for Superferry to undergo an environmental impact statement is not just a matter of law. The potential for harmful environmental impacts are legitimate, and not confined just to the Neighbor Islands.

UH FOOTBALL

INSULTED BY IGNORANCE OVER WARRIORS' HAKA

The University of Hawai'i's game against Louisiana Tech was a memorable game, but got off to a bad start with Hawai'i hitting the field with a 15-yard penalty.

The haka once again has caused Hawai'i to be in the hot seat. This issue has already been addressed and the haka was deemed OK.

So why a 15-yard penalty? As a native of Hawai'i, I feel very proud when I see our Warriors perform the haka. It is a part of our Pacific islander culture.

Shouldn't Louisiana have tried to understand what was going on first? I feel insulted because of the ignorance attached to it.

It's sad how accepting we in Hawai'i are of others' cultural practices, but we get penalized for displaying ours.

RECYCLING

NO SURPRISE MILILANI, HAWAI'I KAI CHOSEN

It's no surprise that our mayor chose Hawai'i Kai and Mililani to pilot the recycling program.

Look what we get on the west side: garbage dumps, landfills, bridges to nowhere, homeless ruining our beaches and parks, homeless shelters, public housing (future slums), little to no law enforcement.

Mufi, you just lost my vote. Thanks for nothing.

HI-5¢

SURPLUS SHOULD GO TO RECYCLING, GENERAL FUND

The news article on Sept. 17 about the fees paid on beverage containers ("City wants HI-5 cash for landfill neighbors") said that Mayor Mufi Hannemann wanted to use some of the state deposit surplus of $23 million to compensate the Wai'anae community.

Using this money for something other than refuse and recycling projects constitutes a tax.

Money for the Wai'anae Coast community should come from the general fund.

The HI-5¢ fee was implemented to encourage recycling, which would prevent the landfill from reaching capacity prematurely. The proper method in distributing this surplus would be to promote recycling, and return the remaining amount by means of the general fund to the people of Hawai'i.

YOU CAN STILL RECYCLE AT NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS

To those worried about their nickel deposit with curbside recycling:

While there is a law requiring you to pay a deposit when you buy your beverages, there is no law requiring you to put the containers on the curb.

The city is only going to get your deposit if you give it to them. You are still free to return your bottles and cans and recover your deposit at a recycling center. Or did you expect the city to send someone walking alongside the truck to personally reimburse your deposit?

While a bit inconvenient, the trip to my neighborhood center hasn't been a problem. The friendly workers have never complained about my request for a count, even up to the limit of 200 containers. Obviously, I don't get there often enough.

EDUCATION

NO ROOM IN TEACHING FOR DRUG USERS, ABUSERS

Whether or not the American Civil Liberties Union succeeds in its "trolling for teachers" publicity stunt to overturn a contract provision for random drug testing, three points are worth remembering: