Roadwork better done at night

I read with dismay that Kalanianaole Highway roadwork will commence from West Hind Drive to Hanauma Bay during the daytime.

As a small business owner in Aina Haina for the last 29 years, I have experienced similar roadwork in the early 1990s that stymied many businesses in East Oahu.

The roadwork froze business during the daytime hours, and medical office schedules ran late.

I would kindly askreconsideration for necessary roadwork to be done at night, to ease traffic to the general public, including local residentstraveling to medical appointments,therapy and otheressential needs.

Joyce Cassen, M.D.
Aina Haina

2 more teachers deserve kudos

Congratulations to Washington Middle School for winning first place in Hawaii MATH COUNTS! ("Washington Middle School adds fourth win to streak," Star-Advertiser, March 9).

As a retired teacher, though, I can’t understand why there has been no publicity about another stellar event in education.

The prestigious Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching were awarded earlier this month at the White House with President Barack Obama to 102 teachers, including the two Hawaii recipients, Laura Fukumoto and David Morishige.

The advancement of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) is crucial to the future of this country and cannot just be pushed aside.

Teachers such as these, who can inspire students to work hard to learn, to focus on a field of knowledge and master it to the fullest, should be recognized and supported in their endeavors.

Marilyn Kennedy
Manoa

UH-Hilo inspires doorgate scandal

Your commentary about the University of Hawaii-Hilo dormitory construction investigation truly says it all ("Better deficient than corrupt, but still," Star-Advertiser, Off the News, March 8).

But still, the flawed university construction apparatus continues as usual.

Taxpayers should know that across the street from the UH-Hilo dormitories sits a brand-new, $19.6 million, 44,000-square-foot student services center.

This three-story facility was completed last summer, and was set to be available for student use this past fall semester.

The only problem with this plan is the building never opened for student use and remains virtually locked down.

Reason: Somehow, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant doors were not installed.

So here are two multi-million-dollar neighbor island university structures inadequately built under the protection of the "deficient, but not corrupt" clause.

The UH Board of Regents should open another faulty construction inquiry, naming it "Doorgate at UH-Hilo."

Richard Dinges
Hilo

Fireworks bill should be killed

Honolulu City Council members Ikaika Anderson and Ann Kobayashi have introduced Bill 5 to bring back currently illegal fireworks.

Clearly this bill is for people who believe that firecrackers are not lethal enough.

This version of the Big Bang Theory calls for taking money, converting it into "permitted fireworks," and exploding it in impressive blasts that unsettle and maim people, wildlife and just about everything in the environment.

Bill 5 is currently deferred until the next committee meeting in order to work the bugs out.

I say, call the exterminator and kill Honolulu City Council Bill 5.

Stann W. Reiziss
Kailua

Stay safe when drinking alcohol

In reference to the article, "Cheers! Salud! Skoal! It’s time for a toast-off" (Star-Advertiser, March 9), here is my toast to think about:

If you become a drunken "Guinness Toast" contestant

And kill or injure any innocent soul

May you face a long time in prison,

And a lifetime of trouble and woe.

Nancy Manali-Leonardo
Waikiki