Projects of value will find support

If the Polynesian Voyaging Society is of interest and value to some in the community, then the society should go out into the community and solicit funds. If the interest is there, then let that support the society.

Programs that serve small groups of people should not be supported by my tax dollar.

Let those in the community who believe this has value come up with the money to support it.

Bring kids back, not prisoners

I applaud Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s intentions to bring back our prisoners from Arizona but I don’t understand how we would be able to accommodate them in our already-packed prison in Halawa.

We tend to forget that these individuals are incarcerated because of what they have done to society. We sometimes view them as poor, mistreated, helpless individuals, rather than as rapists, extortionists, thieves, drug dealers, wife abusers or child molesters. Has anyone forgotten the victims of these incarcerated individuals, many who will serve an emotional life sentence?

It would be much more productive to think of ways to bring our own children back to the islands instead of losing them to the mainland because we lack what the mainland has to offer in affordable homes and opportunity.

Build more prisons here

Kudos to Gov. Neil Abercrombie for his commitment to bring Hawaii citizens home from mainland prisons. Private prisons exist for only one reason and that is to make a profit. They have no vested interest in either humane treatment of prisoners or rehabilitation. They just want more customers (prisoners) so that they can increase profits.

Housing prisoners so far away so that it is difficult, if not impossible, for their loved ones to visit is cruel and unusual punishment and a barrier to any possibility of rehabilitation. Also, prisoner abuse is much more likely to prevail when there is no one around to advocate for the prisoners.

It seems that we need to build more correctional institutions in this state and every island should step up and assume its part in this responsibility.

Coach McMackin is paid too much

I totally disagree with any consideration to extend Warriors head coach Greg McMackin’s contract. A salary of $1.1 million is obscene, especially in these difficult times when the vast majority of Hawaii taxpayers are finding it hard to get by. This is notwithstanding the fact that only a fool would consider paying a college football coach a lot more than the president of the United States or even the governor of Hawaii.

Poor habits have consequences

Regarding a recent article about obese people blaming everything and everyone but themselves for their condition ("The McVictim Syndrome," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 13). I am a smoker — have been one for many years — and I find it very difficult to abstain from smoking. Do I get special consideration from airlines or hospitals because of this? No, and nor do I demand any. If people choose to overeat and underexercise, they need to face the consequences of that behavior just as well as I will face any consequences of my smoking cigarettes.

Volunteer to help a child in need

Thank you for the awesome articles on the Felix consent decree and the state of special education in Hawaii.

Being an educational assistant for the Department of Education for the past 2 1/2 years, I find the job challenging but very rewarding.

It’s hard work teaching children with special needs, but I come to find out that if they work hard, they will learn as much as other students.

But children need the support of teachers and school staff and help from their parents, the community and local businesses.

I would suggest that parents, grandparents, retirees and students volunteer to tutor a child in need. One hour a week can go a long way to help a child learn.