DRIVING

HIGHER MINIMUM AGE WILL AFFECT MANY ISSUES

Benjamin Bystrom's April 28 letter advocating raising the age for driver's licenses stated that it would address problems related to education and traffic congestion. I agree with him, but also believe it would also have a significant impact on other problems in our society.

Gas prices are at an all-time high with no end in sight. Reducing the number of drivers would reduce the demand for oil, not to mention greenhouse gases.

In addition, adding those riders to mass transit would create a greater chance for success of any version of mass transit.

Young drivers, because of their lack of experience and maturity, are more accident-prone. Insurance rates are much higher for those families with drivers under the age of 21. Eliminating this high-risk segment of the driving population should lower rates for everyone,and provide needed resources for families with teens.

Most importantly, drug abuse, alcohol abuse and unwanted pregnancies among teenagers would be dramatically affected by raising the driving age. The freedom and privacy afforded by having access to a vehicle allows teens to engage in activities they would not get away with at home. Parental supervision of teen activities would be encouraged by having Mom or Dad provide the ride.

As Mr. Bystom stated in his letter, most advanced countries require someone to reach the age of 18 before allowing them to take on such a large responsibility. Let's step up to the issue and raise the driving age.

DAMIEN MIRACLE

TOGUCHI HAD POSITIVE IMPACT AS A TEACHER

Mrs. Audrey Toguchi ("Damien credited for cancer cure," April 30) was my teacher at 'Aiea High.

She was one of the few people who had a positive impact on my life.

I feel this "miracle" could not have happened to a better, more deserving person.

What I gained from her was the importance of good values and self worth.

Some of her iconic quotes that I remember included "You're special," "the way that is the way is not the way" and "the only dumb question is a question you know the answer to."

Thank you, Mrs. Toguchi! Mr. Smiles is smiling right now!

RON MENOR

IRRESPONSIBLE TO DRIVE WITH ONE CONTACT LENS

I have been wearing contact lenses for more than 30 years and never have I been able to drive without prescription lens, let alone just one.

Having a backup pair is a necessity, as losing them is almost as guaranteed as losing in Vegas.

Sen. Ron Menor's explanation of driving with one contact lens doesn't make sense.

On top of that, I could never sit through a concert with one eye almost in focus and the other totally out of focus without getting a massive headache.

People who wear contacts always have a pair of glasses standing by. Why didn't he wear his glasses?

And to be driving his kids on the freeway in said condition after one or two glasses of wine is irresponsible.

SEN. MENOR HAS MANY EXCUSES FOR DUI ARREST

I guess we do have a double standard — maybe even a triple standard. Ron Menor has more excuses for his DUI arrest than a politician — oh wait — he is a politician.

Bad contact lens, fractured foot; then why is he driving? And he states he had his children with him doing 30 mph on the freeway.

If these are the kinds of decisions he makes, then he certainly does not deserve your vote next election. Vote for the alternative candidate, people of Mililani/Waipi'o.

In politics you only get one chance — look at Nixon, and the other politicos who lost their credibility.

NEED FOR HOMES

OHA, DHHL SHOULD WORK COOPERATIVELY

The Hawai'i section on Sunday, April 27, made for some frustrating reading. Challenges with ceded lands issues, beach evictions and continued confusion on the OHA charter ("Dispute arises over whom OHA serves").

In the OHA article, former Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Chairman Ray Soon was quoted as saying that OHA and DHHL should work more cooperatively. I could not agree more.

With OHA's financing and DHHL's land management and development focus, we could see much of the undeveloped homelands developed with infrastructure. Once infrastructure is set, homes can be built privately and with the assistance of nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity.

The Habitat partnership with OHA and DHHL has been a vision that has seen some movement, but has never really taken hold. We'll continue to keep this vision in prayer in the hopes that the combined leadership within OHA, DHHL and the Legislature will rise to meet such a fundamental need for our neighbors seeking simple decent homes.

PUBLIC EDUCATION

ISLE DOE SHOULD BE DISMANTLED, REPLACED

John Penebacker, a member of the Board of Education, inadvertently delivers some dreadful news in his April 16 letter to the editor.

He rebuts columnist David Shapiro's assertion that the Department of Education has not acted on recommendations made in a 2005 program audit. Instead, Mr. Penebacker assures the public that actions have been taken to correct the deficiencies identified in the audit. A reasonable conclusion is that Hawai'i's public school system is now operating at its optimal level.

Nevertheless, the quality of public education in Hawai'i remains at a dismally low level. Hawai'i ranks 47th among all states, according to the most recent test of academic achievement reported by the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

The dreadful news is that 47th place is optimal for Hawai'i's school system.

The children of Hawai'i do not deserve to be victimized any longer by Hawai'i's failed public school system. It should be dismantled and replaced with something that works.

PRESIDENTIAL RACE

FLORIDA AND MICHIGAN VOTES SHOULDN'T COUNT

I read Harry Boranian's April 28 letter and have to take issue with his notion that Florida and Michigan votes must be counted.

The Democratic Rules Committee, of which 11 members are part of Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign, agreed these two states would be sanctioned if they held their primaries early.

Florida and Michigan did so at their own peril, and the price is being paid.

Sen. Barack Obama was not even on the ballot in Michigan, so how can you allow an uncontested vote count when two people are running?

Is this what anyone would accept as fair? I don't think so.

Both Obama and Clinton agreed to these rules, so fairness demands that Clinton give up this ridiculous fight.

There is no media outcry, there will be no media outcry, for they understand true fairness.

FAMILY PROMISE

1,500 VOLUNTEERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY

I had the honor of spending this past Saturday evening with more than 200 true heroes. The event was the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner for Family Promise, and the heroes I refer to were 220 of the nearly 1,500 volunteers who make Family Promise a reality.

Family Promise is a little-known, nonprofit organization that works with nearly 60 churches, synagogues and temples to house homeless families with children.

These loving, caring volunteers help feed and house homeless families in their places of worship. The goal is to help these families find permanent homes, and Family Promise has done so with astounding success.

These volunteers serve without recognition or fanfare. They work for love and because they know it's the right thing to do.

These are spiritually motivated mothers, fathers, grandparents and children who saw a problem, came up with a solution and take action every day to make a real difference in people's lives.

To all 1,500 heroes, those in attendance and those who weren't, I extend a heartfelt mahalo for the inspiration you provide, and more importantly for showing all our citizens how they can make a real difference in our community.