Judiciary working on restitution problem

I would like to thank the Star- Advertiser for bringing the issue of restitution to the public’s attention.

Clearly, offenders’ failure to fully pay court-ordered restitution is a difficult, complex and long-standing problem, but one that absolutely has to be addressed because of the hurtful impact it has on victims and because non-compliance with court orders undermines public trust and confidence in the justice system.

The Judiciary is committed to identifying and implementing improvements to our restitution process. A restitution working group has already been created to improve the Judiciary’s restitution accounting system and ensure that our collection efforts are well-monitored and evaluated.

The working group will also consider and implement short- and long-term solutions, such as enhancing restitution collection efforts, intercepting defendants’ tax refunds, allowing defendants to pay online and making the process easier for victims to seek restitution in the civil courts.

Rodney A. Maile
Administrative director of the courts, Hawaii State Judiciary

Improve education in all areas of learning

The state Board of Education wants to de-emphasize social studies in order to pump up math and science.

Wouldn’t it be better to have a Board of Education whose members offer a vision to improve education in all areas of learning?

As a university professor in computer science, I would like as much as anyone for students to come to college with a better understanding of math and science, but I reject the idea that we should give up on other subjects in order to achieve this goal. American education is in trouble, but it is not because we are teaching too much history, geography, civics and social studies.

I call on the governor and the BOE to give students and teachers a means for achievement in all areas of learning, and to stop spending their time figuring out how to cut their losses.

Scott Robertson
Waikiki

Cutting of tree was carefully considered

In response to the letter by Bob Loy of the Outdoor Circle on the trimming of the banyan tree at The Barclay ("Huge banyan tree was butchered," Star-Advertiser, Letters, June 17): The board of The Barclay worked with a board-licensed arborist for more than six months on the safe trimming of our banyan tree.

The tree had several compromised limbs and a root system that was uplifting a number of slab foundations. Also, the health of our residents was being compromised due to massive bird droppings and the encroachment of the tree limbs onto lanais.

The letter also stated that the trimming of the tree would have a negative effect on our property values. I’d be interested to know what certification Loy holds that allows him to render such an opinion.

Loy’s opinion was based on aesthetic value only. I suggest that he be better informed prior to making his opinions known.

Al Serafin
President, board of directors of The Barclay

Don’t give up on Abercrombie yet

I once heard someone say, "Nothing is ever accomplished by a reasonable man." If that is true, Gov. Neil Abercrombie should accomplish a lot.

I voted for Abercrombie with reservations. I know from personal experience that he is more likely to preach than to listen. And despite his confident and combative demeanor, he doesn’t always do his homework or have his facts straight. But I thought, and continue to think, that he was the best gubernatorial candidate available at the time.

With all the problems facing us and all the conflicting opinions about what needs to be done, it would be easy to end up doing nothing at all. We need someone willing to "damn the torpedoes" and move ahead. I am willing to give the governor the benefit of the doubt until the next election.

James B. Young
Honolulu