Nicotine gums and patches still worthy

The news brief, "Rough patch for nicotine no-smoking solution" (Star-Advertiser, Off the news, Jan. 12), made reference to the Hawaii Tobacco Quitline’s use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), i.e., nicotine gums and patches.

It is important for residents to know that the Hawaii Tobacco Quitline closely follows the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ public health service clinical practice guideline that recommends the use of NRT based on studies proving its effectiveness.

We recognize that there is no magic bullet for overcoming nicotine addiction, and that quitting is difficult. It is our experience that the best, most consistent success in changing behavioral habits includes medical intervention, such as NRT and one-on-one counseling from well-trained counselors to help smokers set and stick to a quit plan — which is exactly what the Quitline offers.

Since its inception in 2005, the Quitline has answered calls from more than 20,000 people state-wide. Smokers who fully enroll in Quitline services are up to 13 times more likely to quit tobacco for good.

Loretta J. Fuddy, ACSW, MPH
Director, state Health Department

Break up HECO or make it public

The article regarding HECO’s proposed rate increase because of new PV installations again highlights the absurdity of our electric utility monopoly controlling both power generation and distribution for most of our state ("Rate increase blamed on sun power," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 6).

In all fairness, it puts HECO in an untenable situation when every watt saved by energy efficiency measures or renewable energy installations results in lower profits and less money available for system maintenance and operations.

Ratepayers are penalized when their conservation efforts serve only to drive up the cost of every kilowatt hour they use.

HECO is an investor-owned company. It cannot be faulted for making every effort to maximize return on investment for its owners. But it cannot effectively serve the interests of both stockholders and ratepayers under current regulations.

The state Public Utilities Commission should insist that HECO divest itself of its generating capacity as soon as possible, combine its operations into a single multi-island utility district with uniform rates, and focus on improving service and moving toward a renewable energy future.

If HECO balks, as it has in the past, it is time for Hawaii to seriously consider whether having a privately owned electric utility is in the state’s best interests. The most progressive utilities in the country are publicly owned. Perhaps ours should be, too.

Alan Ewell
Tantalus

Using less power seems to be futile

I give up. Leave the lights on 24/7. Run the air conditioner even when no one is home. Heck, why not run it with all the windows and doors open? What’s the point of trying to cut back or conserve energy, when Hawaiian Electric Co. is just going to screw us no matter what we do?

Rick Winslow
Kaneohe

Teacher tenure about due process

The idea of ending teacher tenure is unfair and premature.

It is premature because we have yet to come to an agreement on a fair and effective system for evaluating teachers. The majority of teachers are not against evaluations; we just want it to be fair and constructive.

Movies like "Waiting for Superman" portray tenure as a system that protects ineffective teachers. This simply is not so. We have already a Professional Evaluation Program for Teachers (Pep-T) system that (when used correctly by administration) can help struggling teachers or pave the way for them to move on. Most teachers I know are in favor of a fair and effective evaluation system that includes mentoring for struggling teachers.

Right now what tenure does is allow teachers due process and protection against parents and administrators who sometimes can be intimidating. In a litigious society such as ours, we need and deserve due process.

We go through a very rigorous "probation" and are evaluated by administration in a system that is more intensive than most occupations must endure.

Lisa Lessing
Sunset Beach

Drivers’ main rule is to pay attention

You can make all the laws and rules you want restricting this or restricting that, but what good is it when people will just ignore or unintentionally break them and get caught less than 1 percent of the time? Rules and laws are only for people that will follow them.

When operating a vehicle on public roads, the top responsibility is to pay attention. The only way public roads will be safe is when people remember that driving is a responsibility — it’s not suppose to be fun, comfortable, luxurious or relaxing. A vehicle is an implement for transport.

Things can happen in a split second, and your responsibility is to be ready when they do. That’s why you had to apply, pass a written and practical test before being issued a license to operate.

Put that phone, music player, book or any other distracting device away and concentrate on your task of operating that deadly weapon in public. Engage your brain before putting your car in gear.

Russ Maeshiro
Kalihi

Choice belongs to the individual

Whose choice is it?

Pregnancy involves choices, and is already covered by medical insurance.

Birth control — and abortion — also involve choices.

Everyone should have legal, medically safe options, covered by insurance, and easy access to accurate information about the options. The choice to use an option, make an insurance claim or not, belongs to the individual — not to an employer, not to a legislator, not to a neighbor.

Michelle Baie
Downtown Honolulu