SCHOOL CLOSURES

LET SMALLER FACILITIES SERVE THE ELDERLY

The problem of declining school enrollments brings up the possible need to close some of them. This is sad, as it is well known that students generally do better in smaller schools where they are known, and know others.

But there is perhaps an additional reason to keep them open. Our population is rapidly aging, and these underused schools could prove to be an ideal place for taking care of many of us, as our numbers increase.

Part of these underused school could serve as day-care centers for elders who still live at home, or with their families but need to be helped or watched. Some of the schools could be used as complete care facilities rather than take up hospital space.

And able older residents could serve as tutors and mentors and teacher's aides in the classrooms. Such interaction would be good for both the young and the old.

These ideas are now being used in France to good effect. We too should consider them.

KOKUA

EMPATHY NEEDED FOR THOSE WHO GO MISSING

This Thanksgiving, my 86-year-old grandpa disappeared from the care center where he lives. Frantically, our family notified the police and began to search on our own.

I am writing this because of the disappointment we came across while searching for him throughout the community. The private investigator and the police department did everything they could do. They were professional and compassionate which brought some comfort and confidence that he would be found.

The disappointment came from the individuals in the community working at places such as grocery stores, gas stations, recreation centers and fast food joints. It seems that it is a policy to have a manager's approval of any kind of sign that is posted; each and every one of the loyal employees insisted that we would have to come back the next day when a manager was available. There was little to no empathy and no exception to the rule.

It was a huge disappointment to feel that a community priding itself on "aloha" would not take a stand of compassion and humanity to bend a rule and possibly save a life. What if someone you loved was missing?

Fortunately, my grandpa was found and is now safe. I hope that this letter will help remind us that sometimes it is the simple gestures of kindness that can bring us together as a community and make the world a safer and nicer place.

LINGLE

GOVERNOR CAN LEARN ALOHA FROM OBAMA

Governor Lingle's no-show at President-elect Barack Obama's recent invitation meeting with a majority of our nation's governors will soon present an interesting situation. By not attending, the majority of the state probably feels she again snubbed our native son.

Citing her already-busy schedule that had to be postponed or cancelled, the meeting on the East Coast was just too far away and that the agenda concerning mass transit, energy conservation, the economy, jobs, healthcare, etc. was just not worth sharing Hawai'i's concerns.

Well, Obama will soon be visiting Hawai'i to pay tribute to his late tutu and to get some much-needed rest for himself and his family. Gov. Lingle has now extended an invitation to Mr. Obama to meet with her during his Hawai'i visit.

My guess is that he will make an effort to meet with Gov. Lingle or a state official even after being ignored, because Obama has the integrity of a true kama'aina with love and aloha for the people of Hawai'i. My hope is that Gov. Lingle will learn and be more respectful in the future.

DEVELOPMENT

ECOLOGY SACRIFICED FOR PROSPERITY ON MAUI

Maui is a very special place but the paving of paradise has already begun. Someday we may have to visit a botanical garden to see the extinct flora that once populated Makena's forest if developers get their way. But it doesn't have to be.

Look what we've done: Walmart, Costco, and Home Depot. Their expansive parking lots sparsely decorated with lonely trees. Concrete block towers line Kihei's coast fortifications against human view and access. Ecology was sacrificed for prosperity.

Maybe the answer is not only solar, wind and biomass but sharing. Sharing integrated communities serving all social classes with homes and shopping, greenbelts and bike trails coming together in one place. Maybe that is the answer to harmony between ecology and prosperity.

HAWAIIAN TELCOM

BANKRUPTCY CAN MAKE COMPANY STRONGER

While it is unfortunate that Hawaiian Telcom has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, it is a step in the right direction. The company will have a good opportunity to reorganize and should come through the process stronger and leaner.

One of the keys to a stronger Hawaiian Telcom is in the hands of the IBEW. It should be in a cooperative mood to offer concessions necessary for the company to operate in a more competitive mode.

If IBEW had handled things smarter when Hawaiian Telcom was spun off from Verizon, it may not have found the employer of its members in the weak financial condition it is in today.

This should also be looked upon as a positive situation that assistance may come from incoming President Barack Obama, who campaigned on a platform of helping and cooperating with America's workers. Plus, Obama campaigned for programs beneficial for community development. There are many communities in Hawai'i that are touched by Hawaiian Telcom and its employees.

A lot is at stake, but with the cooperation of all parties involved, a positive outcome should be reached.