PLEASE HELP SEE THAT SCHOOLS GET $90M

Our state was given $90 million in the stimulus package to use solely for education to add to the funds we have. Our governor is saying that she is going to take the money and put it into the general budget to meet needs other than education. Can she do that? Can she be held accountable if she does that?

The governor is also talking about "cutting" teachers' wages and medical benefits by as much as 10 percent or more. This stimulus money could stop that.

Please help us in any way you can to see that the stimulus money goes to education in Hawai'i in addition to state funds, not in place of state funds. We just can't continue to perform as a school and state system without help.

Thank you for any assistance you can give.

FUNDS FOR EDUCATION SHOULD REMAIN AS IS

The worldwide financial crisis impacts everyone. On April 5, U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye stated that Congress passed the stimulus bill with the intent of education getting billions of dollars. Inouye added that "every penny was intended for education." His remarks were in response to Gov. Lingle's recent plans to use $90 million of stimulus monies intended for education to balance the state's budgetary shortfall.

I believe federal rescue dollars allocated for education should be used as intended by President Barack Obama. Teachers understand we all need to share the pain during this economic crisis, but Hawai'i's keiki should not pay.

GOOD SAMARITANS

MAHALO TO FAMILY WHO PROVIDED HELP

Many people would have walked right by. A young couple with their small son didn't — they stopped and helped my elderly mother-in-law as she was slipping to the sidewalk in front of Wal-Mart on Easter Sunday. Not only did they stop, they brought her a chair, a drink of water, helped her take some medication, used her cell phone to call for help and stayed with her until help came.

We were so flustered that we didn't get your names, and the only way I can think of to thank you is to write this letter. We truly appreciate your kokua and spirit of aloha. My mother-in-law remembered that the young woman said something to the effect that, "We are all here on this Earth to help each other." What a wonderful way to observe the Easter holiday! We are so thankful that you came by at the right moment.

UNIONS

WE NEED EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT

We need the Employee Free Choice Act because the current system for forming unions and bargaining is broken beyond repair. Corporations routinely harass, intimidate, coerce and fire workers just because they want the freedom to bargain for a better life — and even if companies get caught, they get little more than a slap on the wrist. This is counter to the intent of U.S. laws and must be changed by enacting the Employee Free Choice Act.

OBAMA CHURCH

PRESIDENT'S CHOICE NEEDS GOOD VALUES

We read that President Barack Obama is looking for a Christian church he and his family could attend on Sundays.

May I suggest a Christian church that teaches the Word of God from the Holy Bible. A church that believes life begins at conception and supports saving the life of an unborn. One that believes, according to the Bible, marriage is for one man and one woman.

Those are family traditional godly values that our president should consider.

MAUI CATS

CARING VETERINARIAN WILL BE MUCH MISSED

9th Life Hawaii and the cats of Maui have lost a friend. Dr. Tom Chlebecek, DVM, has been traveling to Maui from O'ahu for more than two years now on average every six weeks.

He has given of himself selflessly to sterilize the cats on Maui to humanely reduce the overpopulation.

After working a six-day week at his own clinic (Makai Animal Clinic) on O'ahu, he would fly over with a vet tech and perform sterilization surgeries at our sanctuary. All he asked for was reimbursement for the airfare.

Dr. Tom, as he likes to be called, is moving to Europe and we will sorely miss him. He has sterilized hundreds and hundreds of Maui cats and we need more vets like him. Imagine what a dent we could make in the cat overpopulation that results in so many cat deaths if every single vet on Maui donated two Sundays a year to hold a clinic.

Last time I counted there were about 23 vets on Maui. Dr. Tom, we need more vets like you and we will miss you. The board of 9th Life Hawaii and the volunteers who helped put these clinics together will all miss you. Thank you for caring.

PIRATE STANDOFF

CAPTAIN'S COURAGE SHOWS SPIRIT OF U.S.

Americans everywhere have great reason to be made proud by the story of Richard Phillips, captain of the Maersk Alabama cargo ship that was attacked by Somali pirates. Not only did Phillips offer himself to save the lives of his fellow crew members, but while in pirate custody he attempted to escape not just once, but twice. Phillips' actions prove that America is truly the land of the free and the home of the brave, where we can perpetually draw on immense reservoirs of courage, character and fortitude.

As I consider the events surrounding the Maersk Alabama incident, I can't help but recall the words of President John F. Kennedy: "The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender or submission." While thankfully few of us will ever experience the tribulation Phillips went through, we can apply that same spirit of relentless courage which refuses to give up in all areas of our lives back here at home. Let's not give up on our economy, on our community, on our children, or on our future.