SPECIAL OLYMPICS

NEEDY ARE BEING HURT BY BOE'S DECISION

When the going gets tough, the needy get hurt. That's the message sent by the Board of Education's decision to cut $130,000 from Special Olympics Hawai'i's budget. This money gives mentally and physically handicapped students and adults a chance to participate in sports, to socialize and to have a community in which they are welcome and can compete.

For these people with special needs, Special Olympics is very often the only place they will ever have the chance to be part of a team, much less to win a medal and feel that they have succeeded. It is often the most important social part of their lives.

The Department of Education spends $2 billion a year, $42 million on state-level administration, and $12 million on athletics; $130,000 is less than 1/10 of 1 percent of the DOE budget.

For the Special Olympics organization and the disabled people who so happily participate all year long, however, that small sum of money is vital. Please don't hurt those who are least able to help themselves.

GIVING BACK

POSITIVE EXAMPLES OF FARRINGTON PRIDE!

I was overcome with Farrington Pride when reading the article that a former Governor, Michael Gangloff, donated $200,000 to the physical education and athletic department of his alma mater.

The last time I saw Michael was on one of my morning walks in Foster Village several years ago. He was part of a crew installing a cement driveway to one of the homes. It is great to see Michael as a successful president of a construction company and, more importantly, sharing with his former high school.

The only thing that was a blow to my fragile ego was to read that he now has a son on the JV team — 1991 (the year Michael graduated) was a few years ago and I have gotten a lot grayer since!

I also remember when coach Randall Okimoto was a senior at Farrington. He mentioned to his counselor, Les Nakama, how one day he would like to return to Farrington after college to give back to his school. A big mahalo to you, Michael and Randall, for following your dreams, achieving your wish, and being positive examples of Farrington Pride!

TRANSIT

OTHER WAYS BESIDES RAIL TO REDUCE TRAFFIC

As alternatives to rail or elevated freeways, why not address the actual problem: Everyone is trying to get in and out of town during rush hour. Instead, we could use the money that the city is collecting for rail to reduce the cause of traffic itself.

For example, we give companies $50,000 per employee who is moved to an office in Kapolei, and the employee should get some of that, too. Or give companies money to change an employee's schedule to 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., or night shift. There are many employees doing things that don't need to be done between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Give companies $50,000 per employee to switch to a four-day workweek. They work earlier and stay later, which also reduces traffic even on days they work.

Switch government offices to seven days a week, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The entire island would become more productive and even save office space. And people wouldn't have to take work off to go to a government office anymore.

There are probably tons of logistical concerns and difficulties, but surely not as many as there would be to build rail.

TEACHER DRUG TESTING

DOE, UNION HAVE BEEN CYNICAL, NOT GOVERNOR

Richard Miller's Island Voices column accusing Gov. Linda Lingle of an, "overtly cynical strategy, designed to win political points," was off the mark.

Gov. Lingle's support for random drug testing is simple: It is one mechanism to provide keiki with a safe learning environment.

Over a six-month period, four Department of Education teachers and two custodians were arrested on drug-related charges. In response, the 2007 Legislature was poised to pass a bill to require random and reasonable-suspicion drug testing of teachers. The bill died because the DOE and unions said they would address drug testing in collective bargaining.

The DOE testified that its employees in seven bargaining units were covered by agreements that provided for drug and alcohol testing and they were negotiating similar provisions with three other unions.

HSTA President Roger Takabayashi testified, "HSTA has already included language in its contractual proposal for a drug-testing program designed to achieve the same ends as those set forth in the bill."

The United Public Workers voted for reasonable-suspicion and random drug testing for blue collar, nonsupervisory state employees, including its 2,831 DOE employees. Is there some reason blue-collar DOE workers should be tested but teachers should not?

If anyone has been cynical or political, it is the HSTA and DOE leadership. Let's hope they live up to their agreement by implementing the random drug testing their members approved.

HOMELESS

ATTACK UNCALLED FOR, A DISGRACE TO OUR ISLANDS

Before the start of the Aloha Week Parade, a man, who appeared to be homeless and in his late 40s, stood at the entry of the Waikiki McDonald's facing Kalakaua Avenue.

He was not bothering anyone, nor was he offensive (i.e., smelly, loud or unsightly).

Shortly after, I saw the same man talking to another man in his late 40s or early 50s. In a matter of seconds, the second man shoved the homeless man out the door, punched him in the stomach several times, kicked him into the street and swore at him continuously.

Despite the homeless man's cry for help, the second man chased him down Lili'uokalani Avenue while onlookers watched in horror.

If this man had an issue with homelessness, killing one of them would not have solved the problem. He had total disregard for this homeless man, his 'ohana and for our state's No. 1 industry, tourism. His actions were uncalled for.

I am a part-Hawaiian woman, 48 years of age, and I was born, raised and educated here on O'ahu, and this kind of action is a disgrace to our homeland. What this man did was not pono.

It is my hope that the homeless man, as well as our visitors to the Islands, will not think less of our beautiful state just because of one man's inability to express aloha.

HTA

REX JOHNSON E-MAILS A GLOBAL EMBARRASSMENT

The news that the Hawai'i Tourism Authority board never reviewed the content of Rex Johnson's controversial e-mails brings into serious question how they could have arrived at a credible decision investigating his admitted mistake in judgment.

If Johnson's e-mails contained inappropriate racial and sexual references, the board has little basis to continue to endorse him as CEO of one of Hawai'i's most important and relationship-sensitive industries. It's a global embarrassment to Hawai'i and an insult to the values of everyone who believes that all people deserve to be treated with respect, equality and dignity.

Whether or not Johnson wrote the message text himself is irrelevant. If he forwarded the e-mails, most people would have little doubt that he did not find the content objectionable. It makes one question even more whether Mr. Johnson has the core values, professional judgment and plain common sense to lead and inspire his staff to make unbiased, responsible decisions.

The integrity and decision-making ability of the HTA board should also be the subject of serious review. There is no room in America today for CEOs or board members who feel justified in putting profits and growth before zero tolerance for racial and sexual prejudice.

If the allegations are true, Mr. Johnson should be terminated immediately. Contrary to what the board may think, no one is irreplaceable.

Too often it appears that business decisions today are based on money, politics and self-serving relationships. It's time HTA and others who endorsed Mr. Johnson's alleged good character come to realize that Americans want change and are willing to do what is necessary to bring our country back to the core values and ethics that made us strong.

We need only look at today's stock market to see the results of our lost values.

VOTERS

FULLY INFORMED PUBLIC CRITICAL TO GOVERNMENT

Thank you for printing the excellent commentary, "Vibrant democracy needs informed citizens," by Lyla B. Berg (Island Voices, Sept. 16).

As a pastor and former educator and as a mother and grandmother, I totally agree that a democracy of activist citizens is the only way to ensure government heeds the voice of the people.

We must continue to encourage others: our immigrant populations, those for whom English is a second (or third or fourth) language, those who are economically disadvantaged as well as women and young people, to realize not only the importance of voting but also the importance of being voters who are fully informed and actively involved in the political process.

ROYAL HAWAIIAN BAND

WANTS MORE HAWAIIAN MUSIC IN REPERTOIRE

I'm getting older and I can't get home but every four or five years.

When I do, I enjoy listening to the Royal Hawaiian Band, especially at Kapi'olani Park and in the afternoons at the mall.

The last time I heard them, there was very little Hawaiian music. One time, only Hawai'i Pono'i.

What will it take to put the Hawaiian back into the Royal Hawaiian Band? More Hawaiian would make this old lady very happy.

Thank you, or should I say mahalo? Is anybody listening?