Language lessons lead to learning

It’s great to see the efforts by Kalakaua Middle School to devise a program that reaches out, in a sensitive, effective way, to an important part of its student body: The English language learner (ELL) population.

The idea is that non-English-speaking students need more focused attention to get acclimated, so they spend their first two years in a peer-group "newcomer center" to study English and learn about the American educational approach.

Creating a less intimidating environment for these students — who, after all, are in a challenging age, under the best circumstances — makes sense. Kudos to Kalakaua — delivered in any language they prefer.

For a barking dog, try counseling

A ordinance approved last year by the Hawaii County Council bans incessant barking, crying or howling by dogs, and police have impounded five noisy canines while one family has cut a plea bargain involving dog counseling, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Henry and Lindsey Kapu have paid $575 in fines for the barking of their two Italian sheepdogs. The Kapus also have turned to counseling by Carl Oguss, who operates the East Hawaii Dog Psychology Center, while dogs Kala and Kamakani are urged to put a zipper on their barking during a six-month probation.

"If the Kapus re-offend within six months," Oguss told the Journal, "then the matter will be revisited."