Getting rid of potholes promotes driver safety

With a new governor and mayor, I hope they can fix the pothole problems on Oahu.

For years I have been reporting pothole problems, in particular Kamehameha Highway from the north end of Central Oahu Regional Park across Waipio Gentry, to Lanikuhana Avenue in Mililani and along both sides of Ka Uka Boulevard in Waipio. These are state and city roadways that are heavily used every day. Instead of keeping on refilling the holes, they need to be resurfaced.

Potholes damage tires and rims, resulting in claims against the state or city. More important, they are a safety issue. Filled with rain or water, you cannot tell how deep the potholes are. I have to choose which hole to avoid and which I can drive over. A smooth road means smooth driving.

Let’s teach people how to be good parents

Improving student learning continues to be a concern, but there’s no clear plan on how to do it.

Children have two teachers: one with a teaching degree and the other — the parent, a child’s first and most important teacher — with no teaching degree at all.

Doesn’t it make sense to develop a high school curriculum on parenting and educate these future parents on what their responsibilities will be?

Those knowledgeable in learning tell us that 50 percent of one’s brain cells are developed between birth and age 5, and the amount of that development depends on the amount and quality of a child’s exposure to sensory stimulations, i.e., what is seen, heard, tasted, touched and smelled. It’s this kind of information parents need to learn and understand. What better time to learn this than in high school before these kids become parents?

Birth document could be source of revenue

If the birthers want to cling to their doubts concerning our president’s citizenship, why shouldn’t the state make it a source of revenue?

Just ask President Barack Obama for his approval to release the documents they are seeking, then charge $2,000 a copy. The money could go to the many nonprofits that rely on state subsidies, all of whom had their stipends cut during the last downturn.

Kudos to those who helped foster children

On behalf of the state Department of Human Services, I want to thank everyone who improved the lives of foster children over the holidays, including our resource families who provide safe and loving homes.

On Oahu, Family Programs Hawaii and Honolulu Rotary Club sponsored a party for foster children and their resource families that drew 2,000 people.

On Maui, the Marriott Hotel donated boogie boards and other recreational gear for resource families with teenagers.

On Kauai, hundreds of foster kids received gifts from generous donors, such as Hanalei Bay Rotary Club, Susan Miura, Louis Soltren, Kmart, local police officers, Kauai High School staff members, Avon, the Retired Teachers Association and the Salvation Army.

And in West Hawaii, Volunteer Guardian Ad Litem Franz Weber donated many gifts for newer foster children whose names could not be submitted in time for the annual Toys for Tots campaign.

These are just a few examples of how our communities brightened the holidays for Hawaii’s foster children. Everyone’s contributions are greatly appreciated.

President entitled to vacation in Hawaii

Having just watched a segment on the news about the cost of the president’s Christmas vacation, I found the tone to be negative.

Is the president not entitled to visit the state of his birth once a year? Is he not entitled to expose his children to their heritage? Shall he remain cloistered in the White House for the next two years and spend his Christmas vacation in Peoria?

He has every reason to expect to spend his holiday in his birth state.