CONTRACT AWARD

TED LIU SHOULD BE PRAISED, NOT CRITICIZED

I have had the opportunity to serve with Mr. Ted Liu as a member of Gov. Linda Lingle's cabinet for the past five years.

I can say without reservation that Mr. Liu has been an outstanding public servant who considers the best interests of the community in implementing programs to increase renewable energy, encourage science and math learning in our schools and enhance Hawai'i's global presence in the international community.

I say this because Mr. Liu has recently been the target of a vindictive and politically motivated attack launched by Sen. Donna Mercado Kim. Ms. Kim's efforts have failed to note that Mr. Liu's award of a contract to launch an alternative energy program using hydrogen as a fuel source was done to obtain the best value for the citizens and taxpayers of Hawai'i.

Procedural corrections in the mechanics of the contract award already have been made. Mr. Liu deserves praise for the forthright manner in which he has championed the development of alternative energy programs in our state.

We are darn lucky Mr. Liu has chosen public service as his calling. He deserves to be praised, not criticized, for his accomplishments.

EGG THROWING

SAINT LOUIS STUDENTS' APOLOGY WAS A COP-OUT

First, I was not the model student while at Saint Louis. I've had knuckles and open palms whacked with a ruler and had to bend over the desk for the paddle numerous times for fighting, so I may not be the best one to say this.

However, I am disturbed and dismayed by the nonapology tendered by the four students concerning the recent egg-throwing incident.

Having someone read your apology and not delivering it yourself is not an apology — it is a cop-out.

Not apologizing to the residents of Lanikai and Mr. Gerard Jervis for your actions is the height of arrogance, no matter what your lawyer says.

The fact that the school administration would accept these actions as the end of the matter, and that their lawyer and parents would not recommend or demand a personal apology, not to their peers, but to their victims, demonstrates how low our lack of civility to one another and acceptance of personal responsibility has sunk.

Hopefully, these four individuals, deep inside, know what the right thing to do is and act upon that knowledge.

If not, they will be either running and hiding from responsibility, or deeply regretting their lack of action, for the rest of their lives. Think about it.

NO CONSIDERATION FOR JERVIS OR FOR LANIKAI

The so called "letter of apology" read by Saint Louis School president Walter Kirimitsu was the worst excuse of an apology I've ever heard.

It is very apparent that all Saint Louis School wants to do is protect its image. The apology did not even take into consideration the residents of Lanikai and Mr. Gerard Jervis.

CAMPUS FIGHTING

PEER MEDIATION COULD HELP HAWAI'I SCHOOLS

Recently, two articles about fights at middle and high schools were printed in your paper. One reason given for the fights is a lack of school resources. The principal of 'Ilima Intermediate noted that the school is a good one and that it will take faculty, parents and community involvement to help improve things.

It is ironic the articles were printed on the heels of the Peer Mediation Conference, attended by some 75 middle- and high-school students.

Peer mediators receive training to help students hear each other's perspective and find common ground before the conflict escalates. The students they mediate with generally respect the process and appreciate getting help from their peers.

In schools with peer mediation programs, administrators report a consistent decline in physical altercations on campus. Teachers report that peer mediation has helped reduce school violence and maintain a safe and peaceful school environment.

Established in Hawai'i schools 21 years ago, peer mediation was intended to help administrators keep the peace on campus.

In the ensuing years, however, budget cuts and new priorities resulted in reduction or elimination of resources for peer-mediation programs in many public schools.

If the 'Ilima Intermediate situation is an indicator of things to come, perhaps it is time for more students, parents, teachers and administrators to embrace peer mediation in the schools.

OHA

CEDED-LAND SETTLEMENT BETTER THAN NOTHING

Nothing can bring back what has been lost over the past 30 years, but the ceded-land settlement that was held by the Senate was better than nothing.

Do the Hawaiians who opposed the settlement think they'll get more money by holding off? No!

At least with this settlement, there would be proceeds and income annually and steadily to build financially for the future.

You know what is really shameful: the supposedly Hawaiians who are against building for the future, who spoke against settling 30 years of pilikia.

Forgive, live, move on and grow; stop the "woe-is-me" syndrome. All you anti-OHA folks out there, this is the best darn leadership and administration that OHA ever had. They're not perfect but they're on the right track of supporting the support groups and organizations. A lot of you against OHA received such support. Shame on you!

KALAKAUA AVENUE

TOO MANY PARADES IN WAIKIKI THESE DAYS

One parade, two parades, three parades too many.

How many parades does one state and city have to tolerate before it becomes too much?

I work on Kalakaua Avenue and it is never a good day when there is a parade on the way.

Please tell me how to address the lawmakers of Hawai'i to put a limit on and start scaling back some of these parades. Say "no" to more parades.