SCHOOL TEACHERS

AFTER FORCING DRUG TESTING, WHAT IS NEXT?

After the drug busters succeed in establishing mandatory random drug testing for public school teachers, what will come next? Pats on the back that the mess we call public education has been purged of druggies?

No, I think not. What will come next will be testing for dangerous ideas and incorrect thinking.

TEACHERS ALREADY ARE HELD TO A HIGH STANDARD

In light of recent events, I find it amusing how so many people are suddenly calling for "random" drug testing of teachers. Is it really going to be random? Is it really necessary to test the female second-grade teacher with 25 years of dedicated service?

If a teacher comes to school "under the influence," there are already measures to deal with this.

To those who say that teachers must be held to a higher standard, I agree. We already are! If a teacher coaches a sport (or advises a club) and is caught with drugs, he or she will not only lose the coaching job, but will face discipline from the Department of Education as well.

Yes, teachers may be using drugs. However, I know a lot more drug users who aren't teachers than are. I would gladly take a drug test if parents and students did, too.

PROTECTING CHILDREN SHOULD BE TOP PRIORITY

There is no reason to oppose drug testing! The excuses that I'm hearing make me sick to my stomach. Some say that it costs too much! So, I guess that the cost is not worth the future and safety of our children. Some say that it's demeaning or degrading. Degrading to whom? The ones who get caught doing the drugs?

I would think that protecting our children and the rest of Hawai'i would be the top priority, but what I see is just the opposite. Again, we are sending the wrong message to our children by behaving the way we are. It's time to take the lead, to teach and set a good example for our children's future. Don't wait until it's too late or for someone else to go first.

Take the lead! Be a leader not a follower. Make drug testing a part of our future, not drugs.

TRANSIT

HAMAYASU LETTER HAD FACTS OVER HYPERBOLE

Bravo to Toru Hamayasu, the planning division chief of the city Department of Transportation Services. It is good to finally see our city experts and professionals meet the hyperbole of the "more roads lobby" head on (Letter, Dec. 7).

The Tampa tollway has proven to be a graft-laden, scandal-plagued, money-draining embarrassment. Do any of these "more roads/anything but rail" advocates have advanced degrees or practical experience in engineering, public finance, planning, government auditing or transportation planning? If not, why should I find them credible? I, for one, am not fooled. While I expect full disclosure, fact-checking and vigorous discussion over the merits of this proposed rail system, I am going to defer to expert, experienced, professional testimony like Mr. Hamayasu's.

MAYOR SHOULD SURVEY DRIVERS ABOUT RAIL

I would really like to see a survey ask the question that the mayor seems to be avoiding: "How many people who are now driving to work are willing to give up their car to ride the rail?" The outcome of that survey should give a good understanding of whether rail will work.

It really doesn't make sense to be asking people who catch the bus, don't have a car or are not working in town if they will ride the rail.

IN MANY CITIES, RAIL IS A TREMENDOUS ASSET

I recently read about your proposed train service, and would like to add my two cents having had experience  before construction and after  using Washington, D.C., Manila, Bangkok and Hong Kong rail systems.

Although those systems were initially opposed by many as not likely to be used and financially unsustainable, my personal experience is that they are tremendous assets to those cities  moving many daily commuters, occasional residents and tourists  and serve to alleviate traffic congestion.

Nevertheless, they are all financially subsidized. However, in that regard, while visiting your beautiful city of Honolulu last week, I noted that your bus system is heavily subsidized. I was able to travel to many places on O'ahu  roundtrip  for only $1 (senior). I don't know of a better bargain than that anywhere in the world!

I'm looking forward to using the train in the near future!

KAMEHAMEHA DECISION

POOR STUDENTS GETTING A QUALITY EDUCATION

The recent decision by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Kamehameha Schools' policy of giving preference to Native Hawaiian students should have been 15-0 in favor.

The issue is not whether Kamehameha Schools should be for only Native Hawaiian students, but whether the school should "devote a portion of each year's income to the support and education of orphans, and others in indigent circumstances giving the preference to Hawaiians of pure or part aboriginal blood."

There will always be Native Hawaiian students attending Kamehameha Schools. It is those who are in the greatest need of the education programs of Kamehameha Schools who stand to lose if the Supreme Court should rule against Kamehameha Schools' policy of giving preference to Native Hawaiians.

Kamehameha Schools is doing what the state and federal governments failed to do  giving orphans and indigent Native Hawaiian students the best education possible.

GLOBAL WARMING

POLLUTION IS SLOWLY SUFFOCATING OUR EARTH

In response to W.D. Woodwards' letter (Dec. 4), rebutting overwhelming evidence that has indicated global warming because of carbon emissions, I would like to say, "Wake up." The only piece of evidence that Woodward sites is "the more than 17,000 scientists who signed a petition against the Kyoto Accord." Source? And how many of them were sponsored by big oil?

Global warming is happening, and we are slowly suffocating our planet. The sooner people recognize it and start helping the better chance we have of reversing this trend. I do walk to work, the grocery store and anywhere else within reasonable distance  anything further than a couple miles I ride my bike. I'm doing my part, W.D. Woodward. Please do yours!

EARTHQUAKE

POLICE COMMISSION THANKS HPD OFFICERS

Following the earthquake that shook the Hawaiian Islands on Oct. 15, several federal, state, city and county agencies, including the Honolulu Police Department, responded to this natural disaster commendably.

The Honolulu Police Commission would like to recognize and commend all of the agencies.

The Honolulu Police Commission would also like to take this opportunity to cite and recognize some first responders from the Honolulu Police Department. The watch commander on duty at District 8 immediately dispatched a patrol officer to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. HPD's Civil Defense coordinator contacted the Pacific Tsunami Center within minutes of the earthquake, and instructed an officer to coordinate with his watch commander to put out the "no tsunami generated" to all officers after that condition was determined by the Pacific Tsunami Center.

All HPD command staff personnel were instructed to report to work, many HPD off-duty sworn and civilian personnel reported to duty on their own initiative and an off-duty officer called KSSK and requested an advisory that residents should remain calm, stay off the roads if possible and limit 911 calls to emergencies.

The Honolulu Police Commission appreciates and is grateful to the men and women of HPD for their dedication to public safety and their exemplary service to the community following the earthquake.

MOANALUA

A GRATEFUL SON THANKS FOOTBALL TEAM, FAMILIES

Earlier this year, my mom, Candace Tiave, passed away from breast cancer.

This year, the Moanalua High School football team wore pink ribbons with the initials CT on their helmets in memory of my mom.

The Moanalua football team coaches, players and families also participated in this year's Susan G. Komen "Race for the Cure" in memory of my mom.

Thank you coach Arnold Martinez, coaches, players and families for remembering and honoring one of your most loyal fans and supporters.

I am grateful to all of you. You are winners!