Poverty can be a vicious circle

Undoubtedly poverty drags kids down, but that usually begins with irresponsible, foolish and self-absorbed decisions by adults ("Poverty drags kids down," Star-Advertiser, Aug. 17).

My heart sinks for the mother of four who sounds like she is desperately trying to make a life for her family, but even more so for her kids who had no decision or choices in finding themselves impoverished.

It’s a shame for any child to grow up in a state of poverty, surrounded by so much affluence. The adults who make the decision to have children must make more prudent, competent and selfless decisions regarding family planning, employment and finances or this cycle is bound to perpetuate itself.

Pat Kelly
Honolulu

Kudos to Buffett for tax position

Thanks for publishing Warren Buffett’s comments about taxes (Star-Advertiser, Aug. 16).

One can only hope that the congressional super-committee, whose task is to find ways to reduce the deficit even further, has read them.

Shared sacrifice should mean that everyone gives up something — including the millionaires and the billionaires. The mantra of no new taxes is an insult to the intelligence of the electorate.

Ed Sullam
Honolulu

Testing fixation stunts creativity

The national fixation on standardized tests that assess learning on a narrow set of subjects (math, science, reading) is counterproductive, contends University of Oregon professor Yong Zhao, because it unintentionally displaces creativity and innovation, which are keys to success in the global marketplace.

Countries that exhibit high test scores are trying to encourage creativity and innovation. However, they are not able to because the style of education that teaches students to perform well on standardized tests has little room for either creativity or innovation.

Yet that is where the U.S. is headed, and Hawaii is following the national trend. Every public school in Hawaii is on the same path that leads to that dead end.

Hawaii’s monolithic school system should be divided into small, independent school districts. Hopefully, at least some districts would be courageous enough to buck the national trend and adopt a curriculum for the 21st century.

John Kawamoto
Honolulu

Coach showed nobody’s perfect

To err is human. The Kahuku coaches, in failing to report a drug offense to the school and proper authorities, made a mistake. They could have thought to mitigate the circumstance before it escalated to the problem it has become at their expense.

A coach could be a closer and more effective authority figure to the players in question. The error in judgment could have been construed as the more humane solution to the problem. They were wrong and dearly paying the consequences.

I have had four sons who played for Coach Reggie Torres. He cares deeply for the kids who play for him. He is also a strict disciplinarian. As a result, my sons maintained their highest grade-point averages, even with Advanced Placement classes. He is a life coach.

High school players will become men. They will learn even good guys make bad choices. As mere mortals, we may not be able to forgive the grave error. To do so would be too divine.

Vernetta A. Hall
Laie

Kailua, Lanikai being ruined

There are laws in place to protect the majority of citizens who do not operate illegal bed and breakfasts in Hawaii. Now, when the city is making a move to enforce those laws, the people who are breaking the law are angry that the law will be enforced.

Those of us who daily pay a price in quality of life because of illegal bed and breakfasts in our neighborhoods implore the city to enforce the laws. It has become increasingly difficult to drive out of Lanikai on weekends. Our streets have become a parking lot.

There are a number of businesses in Kailua that have completely disregarded the residents and environment in our community. The bed and breakfasts and kayak rental companies have turned Kailua Bay and the Mokulua Islands into an overpacked amusement park. The environment and majority of the people should not have to pay such a price for the profit of a few.

Kathleen Thomas
Lanikai