PUBLIC ACCESS CHANNELS AT STAKE

In the next two weeks the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is expected to make known the agreement it has reached with Oceanic Time Warner for their use of public rights-of-way to provide cable service on Oahu.

Such issues as upgrades to the system, connectivity between government offices and educational communication needs are expected to be addressed. Also at issue is the ability for the public to access the media through Ōlelo Community Media, the designated nonprofit provider on Oahu. In its proposal, Oceanic questioned the need for such services, suggesting the number of channels should be reduced.

Oceanic appears to be concerned with bandwidth and would like to reduce the number of channels it makes available for public use while it increases the number of "pay-per-view" channels offered, many of which are "adult" rated. It's hard to believe that many of the "pay-per-view" offerings are more important than the community's ability to speak out on issues concerning our island, our country and the world.

Oceanic has every right to receive a fair return for its investment, but it also has an obligation to support community access in return for its use of public land. Let's hope the DCCA has kept the public interests in mind and has negotiated fairly, but firmly to insure public access in the future.

JOHN W. BATES | Marketing manager, [0xd6]lelo

FURLOUGHS

TEACHERS SHOULD AGREE TO A PAY CUT

Furlough Fridays have understandably caused a furor and gnashing. The problem is that the teachers have not agreed to a pay cut. A pay cut is where you work the same hours for less pay. They have agreed to work fewer hours. They receive less pay and the state saves this amount.

Not a workable solution in the eyes of many, including me. The teachers should agree to a pay cut.

DAVID J. PORTEUS | Honolulu

OUR FUTURE DEMANDS DECISIVE LEADERSHIP

It's time for the governor and the HSTA leadership to lock themselves in a room and not come out until they've reached an agreement.

And please, stop the finger-pointing. There's enough blame to go around for everybody. All are soiled by the ignominious and ill-considered decision to use furlough days for teachers as a means to solve the budget crisis. This short-sighted and expedient measure has created an educational nightmare for our children and has held our state up to national ridicule.

Now is the time for bold and decisive leadership. All parties must make a commitment to find a solution to this very difficult yet not intractable problem. Our children deserve it. Our future demands it. For as the perceptive Greek philosopher Diogenes Lartius once stated, "The foundation of every state is the education of its youth." Given the nature of the many challenges our society faces today, we ignore this truism at our peril.

michael d. clark | Honolulu

SYMPHONY

BRAVO, BALLET HAWAII, FOR HIRING MUSICIANS

The news coming out of the Honolulu Symphony is a real blow to Hawaii. So in the midst of such difficult economic times, kudos go to Ballet Hawaii, which is hiring a full symphony (aka our Honolulu Symphony musicians) to accompany this year's "Nutcracker."

A symphony orchestra and dance is not just a luxury; it is a vital part of a thriving community and so important for the lives of our keiki (including those hundreds of disadvantaged children who get to experience the "Nutcracker" for free every year through Ballet Hawaii's Angel program).

This holiday season we can celebrate all that is good and beautiful as Ballet Hawaii brings some of the country's best artists to Hawaii to dance to the live accompaniment of Tchaikovsky's score. Who knows? It may be the last time for a while that we get to hear our symphony orchestra. Ballet Hawaii should take a bow. And we should be at the Blaisdell to support them as they keep important things alive.

ROBERT SANDLA | Honolulu

STATE LEADERSHIP

FUTURE GENERATION HAS BEEN SILENCED

Twenty-two percent of the Hawaii population is under the age of 18, according to the 2008 U.S. Census, yet the average age of state legislators is approximately 65. Data from the same census year reports that people aged 65 and older represent 14 percent of the population. There is an obvious discrepancy in representation in terms of age. As our state and nation make great strides in advancing minority participation in government we have rendered our future generation voiceless and given it little concern highlighted by furlough Fridays, poor student achievement, and a state Board of Education composed of many members with little regard to student opinion.

The youth acknowledged and embraced President Barack Obama's call for change in 2008. The future generation recognized the faults in our society and our government. They recognized the changing landscape of the 21st century and the need for our government to change with it not continue the status quo.

The 2010 legislative session will represent a pivotal point in Hawaii history. A growing billion-dollar deficit has defined the past two years and resulted in appalling decisions. We need our leaders, those that too spoke of change, to act. Fix the "pukas" and think not only of this generation, but also those to come.

MARK AOKI | Honolulu representative, Hawaii State Student Council