'RANDOM CHAOS'

THEORY OF EVOLUTION CRITICISM UNFOUNDED

It's surprising to me that Mr. James Roller is arguing against the theory of evolution when it is clear that he doesn't even know what the theory is about.

"Random chaos," as he asserts, is not the fundamental idea of evolution. Genetic drift, gene flow, natural selection and other mechanisms that power evolution may be stochastic, but that's a far cry from the "random chaos" that he claims.

His assertion that evolution is dressed up in "false scientific integrity" is false, as there are massive amounts of peer-reviewed studies and evidence supporting the theory, which include, but are not limited to, molecular and fossil data. Ignorance of the evidence does not mean lack of the same.

Furthermore, evolution has nothing to do with the origin of life and does not state anywhere that human life was a result of "random chance" and makes no comments on the existence of God or a higher power.

The real reason intelligent design is kept out of the classroom is that it's not science. The theory of evolution is testable, falsifiable and has evidence to back it up. Intelligent design has none of these qualities.

DOE SHORTAGES

MAINLAND-TRAINED TEACHERS AVAILABLE

While the governor, legislature, DOE and teacher's union continue to argue about how to solve the problem of teacher and administrator shortages, no one seems to be considering an untapped resource.

Many educators living in Hawai'i have had numerous roadblocks placed in their path to employment. They have credentials from other states, often accompanied by many years of experience.

These qualified and often experienced teachers and principals want to work in Hawai'i but face rules and requirements that tell them that "their services are not wanted/needed."

If the DOE would just recognize education, certification and experience acquired in other states, many of these teachers and principals could be in our schools quite quickly.

I speak from experience. When I planned to return home five years ago, I inquired about both teaching and administrative positions in our public schools. I am certified as a teacher (science and math) and a principal in Washington State. I was given the list of requirements to accomplish, was told that I would basically have to start "at the bottom" and received the definite impression (via phone, mail and in person) that there was little interest in hiring an "outsider."

After my experiences, I have spoken with others who have similar stories. What was particularly unsettling was that I was a returning "local" who was essentially being told "no thank you."

Let's change the rules about hiring qualified teachers and administrators, trained on the Mainland, who can do much to alleviate our very real shortages.

AYAU DECISION

JUDGE EZRA REVIEWS ALL AVAILABLE MATERIALS

I was saddened to read the Jan. 5 letter entitled, "Judge Ezra vs. Hawaiian beliefs." I'm certain professor Jon Osorio is aware that federal as well as state judges are prohibited from publicly responding to personal attacks, or the reasons for rendering decisions.

Professor Osorio writes, "In less than an hour of the court's time, Ezra demonstrated the inability of the American judicial system to deal with issues of religious belief." Those who have appeared before this judge know that he painstakingly reviews all materials available to him before rendering any decision.

The "less than an hour" comment assumes that Judge Ezra rendered an off-the-cuff opinion. Nothing could be further from the truth. I can assure professor Osorio and your readers that David Ezra, as well as our other federal judges, reviews all materials relevant to making any decisions. It entails hours of preparation.

Interestingly, prior to the ruling regarding Hui Malama, it's my understanding that the court ordered the return of the artifacts in question. Mr. Edward Ayau saw fit to disobey that order and voiced his opposition based on his religious beliefs. Mr. Ayau apparently believed he had every right to disobey Judge Ezra's order. It seemed he was willing to pay the price for that civil disobedience.

History tells us that people engaged in civil disobedience are prepared to accept the sanctions that accompany that conduct. There is always a price to be paid for martyrdom.

FORBES CAVES

REBURIAL QUESTIONS

If the Forbes Cave burial artifacts were reburied in their original location, why can't they be found again? Is it because they were not? If that is the case, then whoever reburied them also committed a disrespectful act.

SPYING

CONGRESS MUST OK SPECIAL PROSECUTOR

So glad to read the Jan. 18 editorial "Gore's call on Bush is beyond partisanship."

The speech was indeed remarkable, showing clearly how violative of the Constitution, how threatening to our civil liberties, is the warrantless spying on Americans authorized by President Bush.

And how good it would be to read that our two senators and two representatives in Congress will actively support and vote for the appointment of an independent special prosecutor to investigate the spy matter.

PROTEST END

C-SPAN2 DEVOTEES SHOULD COME TO FORE

In February, Hawai'i's cable TV audience will lose the best show in town — C-SPAN2 (the U.S. Senate, BookTV, a multitude of Washington events) — in order to clear space for a sixth channel devoted to 'Olelo (local public-access TV, already filling five cable channels). By state DCCA mandate, Oceanic "must carry" this additional 'Olelo. I'm told the trade-off of C-SPAN2 was decided inside Oceanic.

It's a sad day for news junkies. We will lose 12 hours daily of the most praised, most thorough, unedited and unbiased federal government news on the TV dial. Adding insult to injury, it will be replaced by a vastly inferior product ('Olelo means well, but it ain't no C-SPAN).

I hope I'm not outraged alone. I hope other C-SPAN devotees will let their displeasure be known at the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and at Oceanic Cable — and quickly.

These are all public service programs and the public served should have a voice. Perhaps we shouldn't be made to choose at all. But forced to choose, more 'Olelo versus C-SPAN2? No contest, in my mind.

CORRUPTION

LET’S HAVE LEGISLATION TO PROTECT CONCERNED CITIZENS

(Editor’s note: This is another in a series of letters from previous Advertiser Community Editorial Board members on the 2006 Legislature.)

Being asked for a wish list for the 2006 Hawai'i legislative session is easy: I could ask for peace in the world, no more drugs in our communities, clean politicians, good education for our kids and lower gas prices.

But the real world is accomplishment in the present. And therefore I wish for our legislators to listen to their customers.

We can all say “toss the bums out” in the next election. However, the men and women in our Senate and House are in positions of trust and power only because of the electorate.

So what do we tell them?

First, we all need to vote and be active in the the political process.
Second, the Legislature in 2006 has to realize that Hawai'i nei and its people are not pawns in a Democratic/Republican/public unions power, money and ego game. Rather, we want our elected officials to represent the best we hope is in all of us.

Sure, education, drugs, maintenance of our municipal infrastructure and sense of personal security are important, but just crafting legislation to show voters that the folks downtown are not asleep at the wheel is not the way.

It is almost as bad as having them write laws that cost taxpayers loads of money and only serve to re-elect a politician.

How about legislation that would protect concerned citizens against retaliation and reprisals in the workplace when they report a crooked politician, union boss, supervisor or just plain old-fashioned corruption?

That is a realizable goal for the 2006 Legislature and would show immediate results.

GIVE KIDS A GOOD START

EARLY EDUCATION IS ESSENTIAL

In 1997, the state Legislature passed Act 77, establishing the Good Beginnings Alliance to coordinate the statewide initiative for early childhood education and care. Considerable progress has been made since then with only modest public and private funding.

Last year, for example, the alliance facilitated programs to support statewide community capacity building, professional development and parent education. The alliance offered leadership to the state P-20 Initiative, aiming at seamless transitions from pre-kindergarten to college. We partnered with programs for school readiness for all and programs for Native Hawaiians. We inaugurated a program to bring young children to the prisons to play with and bond with their incarcerated fathers.

But all that is not enough. Four out of 10 children entering kindergarten are reported by teachers as not prepared to succeed in school and disadvantaged for success in life. These children look around the classroom at their classmates who have received a quality preschool experience and say to themselves, “I’m dumb.” They are behind and too often they stay behind.

There is a mountain of research showing that a strong early education does give a good start for young children. They are more successful in school, are less likely to repeat grades, and contribute to the learning experience of their classmates. High-quality preschools have been shown to have long-term financial benefits leading to adults who are less likely to be involved in the criminal justice and welfare systems.
Hawai'i must move up to the next plateau.

Some 40 years ago, I served as chairman of the Hawai'i Visitors Bureau. We were a nonprofit sales and marketing organization with questionable annual funding from the state Legislature. As a volunteer organization, we had no responsibility for the quality of the visitor experience. Hawai'i welcomed 700,000 visitors that year. We were good, but not good enough.

The Hawai'i Tourism Authority, with dedicated state funds from the transient tax, now has the ability to coordinate programs affecting visitors, from encouraging them to come, to visitor satisfaction after they arrive. They have been able to segment the market and contract with targeted sales agencies. In 2005, over 7 million visitors came to Hawai'i. The Hawai'i Tourism Authority has been successful.

Early childhood needs an early learning authority with a dedicated source of state funds. Currently, there is no “home” in the state government for early childhood; no “one-stop shop” to coordinate the myriad of programs that affect the health, education and safety of young children. One dollar today saves society seven dollars over a child’s lifetime.

All Hawai'i’s young children need and deserve a good beginning for a successful and happy life.