Robotics programs help Hawaii students

Hawaii’s robotics programs are affecting more than 5,000 students statewide. We are confident these numbers will continue to grow rapidly.

The robotics community was fortunate to receive federal stimulus funds to help continue its efforts to offer Hawaii’s youth these important programs, which provide schools with the necessary resources to expand and grow their educational opportunities.

The overwhelmingly positive results from participants in these programs are evident through their post-high school choices, both academically and professionally.

We believe robotics programs have proven their worth for Hawaii’s youth.

President Barack Obama used the term "shovel ready" to show how he hoped the stimulus money would put people to work right away.

People across Hawaii "picked up their shovels," began work right away and, in the end, paved the way for our future STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) leaders.

Osa Tui
Coordinator, McKinley High Robotics

Glenn Lee
Coach, Waialua High Robotics

Dale Olive
Coach, Waiakea High Robotics

Jim Cox
Coach, Kapaa High Robotics

Keith Imada
Coordinator, Maui High Robotics

Record-keeping seems lax at some agencies

I am mystified at how our government can keep accurate statistics of the records they want to publicize and blame inadequate computer systems when asked for the records that are indicative of problems.

When asked for records on restitution for victims of crime, the Judiciary blames its poor computer system for not providing the statistics (How many cons owe how much is unknown," Star-Advertiser, June 26).

I seem to remember that funds for a new computer system for the Judiciary were allocated years ago. Now that taxpayers have been paying thousands for a promised new system for years, we find that the Judiciary cannot respond to hard questions on restitution.

Recently the front page of the Star- Advertiser had graphs with complete statistics of the number of cases involving citizens talking on their cell phones while driving. Granted, those statistics came from other agencies, but why are some agencies held accountable and others not?

Tracy Botelho
Ewa Beach

Music award deserved more press coverage

Ledward Kaapana gets national recognition and you barely recognize this in an obscure, brief article in the paper — no picture or anything ("Uku-lele musician named among nation’s top artists," Star-Advertiser, June 26).

With all the guitar players and musicians in Hawaii, this is of major interest and should have been a major story.

All the bums who perform despicable deeds are given many columns and pictures. It seems that your priorities need adjusting.

Roberta Sullivan
Mililani

Media won’t be fooled by hiding of homeless

It’s upsetting, and frankly wrong, that some are considering shuttling the homeless out of sight during APEC so the world’s press won’t be aware that we have the same problems as free societies all over the world.

And does anyone think that out-of-town reporters wouldn’t discover what had been done and make that the story? Besides, I don’t think it’s part of our ethos as a city.

If we only want reports of some fictional paradise, how will we keep the visitors from noticing our mostly potholed roads? And they’d better not read the paper, since there are those pesky articles about poor public education, those selfish teachers and the mean Hawaii State Teachers Association.

Maybe we should just give everyone new aloha clothing and lessons on appearing happy and content.

Bob Graham
Kahuku

Scent-tracking dogs will help in police activities

Kudos to the Hawaii County Police Department on the acquisition of a new black Labrador retriever scent-tracking dog.

This should be of great help to the police, especially on the Big Island where people often get lost at Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, Pohakuloa and Volcanoes National Park.

Having had first-hand experience with the magnificent canines in Vietnam, as well as with canines in the military police, I can testify how helpful those canines are, especially in police activities.

Al Eisner
Silver Spring, Md.