DON HO PERSONIFIED HAWAI'I'S ALOHA SPIRIT

We were fans of Don Ho and enjoyed his shows during visits to Honolulu. We also cherish our collection of his songs.

We extend our deepest sympathy to the Ho family. Don Ho personified the aloha spirit.

Aloha, Don!

HSTA CONTRACT

ILLEGAL DRUGS HAVE NO PLACE IN OUR SOCIETY

Instead of maintaining a neutral stance on random drug testing as part of the state's pay raise ratification process, the Hawai'i State Teachers Association should have taken the high road and helped negotiate a workable random drug testing program for its members.

The recent cases of teachers who allegedly used or sold drugs shows that there is a problem. Teachers should set an example and do the right thing. If you don't do illegal drugs, you have nothing to hide.

Approximately two decades ago, SHOPO was faced with a similar situation. We heard the "hue and cry" about how our police officers felt that their "civil rights were being violated" and that they enforced the laws and were above the scrutiny of the public and shouldn't be subjected to random drug testing.

SHOPO hammered out a workable random drug testing program, with all the necessary checks and balances, with protection and rehabilitation provisions for our members.

Our SHOPO negotiators went statewide and explained the program to our members, they accepted random testing and voted in favor of it. Illegal drugs have no place in our society, period.

KUDOS TO THOSE WHO VOTED 'NO' TO DRUG TESTS

I applaud those teachers who voted against the contract that tied a random drug testing to pay raises.

Shame on Gov. Linda Lingle for asking teachers to give up their constitutional right to privacy. And shame on the Hawai'i State Teachers Association for forwarding a drug-testing proposal (the details for which will be worked out later).

Those teachers with the fortitude to not compromise their dignity and rights with their no-vote to this un-American policy have demonstrated that we are the "home of the brave." It appears the rest have forgotten that America is the "land of the free."

Law enforcement and other authorities are not allowed to randomly search your pockets, randomly search your car or randomly search your home. Probable cause is required, and in most cases, approval from a judge in the form of a search warrant.

PARENTS WANT TO KNOW THEIR CHILDREN ARE SAFE

As a parent of an 8-year-old, I find it ridiculous that there would actually be an opposition to the the testing of our keikis' teachers.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could go to work knowing that the fine men and women who have chosen the profession of educating our young ones were indeed abiding by the laws of the state of Hawai'i? I applaud all the educators who stepped forward and approved their new contract.

TEACHERS HAVE NO REASON TO OPPOSE TESTS

Would someone please give me a valid reason why teachers are so opposed to random drug testing?

What do they have to hide? It is hardly a violation of their Fourth Amendment rights. No one is coming into your house unwarranted or seizing personal belongings.

All that is required is a urine test ... oh, and don't do drugs.

If teachers opposed to the new random drug-testing requirement are mad at anyone, be mad at the teachers who brought the scrutiny on the teaching community.

I have read that some teachers think this will deter some people from becoming teachers or cause some teachers in Hawaii to quit or leave. If your conviction for teaching is that weak, then you shouldn't be a teacher.

WHY DO TEACHERS THINK DRUG TESTS INSULTING?

Why would teachers resist random drug testing if they are not using drugs?

Why do some of them think that it's insulting and demoralizing to their profession, and why would it be more difficult to recruit teachers from the Mainland? Do teachers think they are better than the rest of us? Where is their dedication to and concern for students?

Some organizations have had random drug testing of their employees for years. I think it would be wise and beneficial for all other professions, including doctors, lawyers and legislators, to be subject to random drug testing.

If a person is not using illegal drugs, there is no reason for resisting drug testing, especially given the high number of crimes caused by substance abuse.

DRUG-TESTING PROGRAM ABOUT PROTECTING KEIKI

This is in response to Coleen Ashworth's letter (May 2) regarding random drug testing of teachers and what she calls a "violation of the Constitution."

Her letter is proof of the constitutionality of the policy. The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable search. What is unreasonable about random drug testing for teachers and other employees with access to our children? Why wouldn't she support a policy that protects our children? If the current system is sufficient, as suggested in her letter, then we would see more disciplinary actions from the Department of Education, not the Honolulu Police Department.

I have worked for several large corporations in Hawai'i that have random drug testing. If teachers are looking for sympathy to avoid testing, please look somewhere else. Teachers serve the general population and are paid by our tax dollars.

The lesson Ms. Ashworth should teach her children is that everyone is accountable for their own actions and there should be zero tolerance for drug use.

If those teachers who oppose drug testing had played a more active role in reporting their peers, this provision might not have been necessary.

Bravo, Gov. Linda Lingle, for putting the focus where it should be — protecting our keiki.