Bond deal misused to convey false notion

Your commentary noted that the state’s bond sale was no big deal ("The sale of bonds wasn’t all that," Star-Advertiser, Off the News, Dec. 7). You’re right, and it was misused to claim Hawaii’s finances are in great shape.

In 2011, Moody’s was probably not considering some major looming impacts on Hawaii’s economic future when it de-rated our bonds from Aa1 to Aa2.

Moody’s was understandably "spooked," as you say, by the state’s financial condition then, and it’s certainly no better now.

The elephant in the room is the coming perfect storm of growing rail debt, long decaying infrastructure, and Hawaii’s waning influence in Congress.

We have already seen earmarks cut back. U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye’s ability to direct federal money to Hawaii is ending. When it inevitably does end, Hawaii will be left with four junior members of Congress, with little influence on anything.

Farsighted leaders who are willing to make hard choices might still turn things around. But without that, Hawaii may well be looking at its own fiscal cliff in a few short years.

Brian Barbata
Kailua

Bond sale showed confidence in Hawaii

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s "Off the News" item about the state’s recent bond sale included a strikingly poor comparison that I felt compelled to point out for future coverage ("The sale of bonds wasn’t all that," Dec. 7).

Regardless of one’s point of view on the intricacies of bond issuances and how government is financed, the paper’s choice to compare the state’s record-low 2.60 percent interest rate to the Federal Reserve discount rate (0.75 percent) was misleading to readers.

The discount rate is a mechanism by which the Federal Reserve expands or contracts the supply of money in the U.S. economy. The only entities that can access it are financial institutions (e.g., banks). A far better comparison would be the "benchmark" 20-year U.S. Treasury, which on that day yielded 2.31 percent — a mere 0.29 percent better than the state.

At the very least, the Hawaii interest rate is a clear sign of confidence in our state.

Kalbert K. Young
Director, Hawaii Department of Budget and Finance

Don’t go easy on puppy mill manager

Judge Glenn Kim will be sentencing David Becker, the manager of the Waimanalo puppy mill, on Dec. 19.

I hope and pray that he takes into consideration the suffering that Becker inflicted on these innocent and helpless animals.

At the plea hearing, Kim said that "after all, these are misdemeanor offenses" ("Puppy breeder pleads no contest to 153 counts of animal cruelty," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 5). Yes, these are misdemeanor charges, but please remember that there are 153 charges, not an isolated one. These living and feeling creatures cannot be thought of as just animals, as though they have no value.

This is not just about whether or not one loves animals. This is about what kind of a society we want to cultivate. Kim can either send the message that this kind of behavior is acceptable, which would be a travesty, or put other unethical breeders on the alert that there will be consequences to those who treat any living creature inhumanely.

Ginny Tiu
Hawaii Loa Ridge

Concert cancellation was disappointing

I am disappointed in the schools superintendent’s decision to cancel the Gift of Hope Charity Concert based on one man’s letter before thoroughly investigating the basis of the complaint.

It is disconcerting that one activist’s false claims and threats of litigation can shake our government officials’ sound judgment and mislead the media to inaccurately report on this issue.

The benefit concert was never a church fundraiser, and always benefited Mercy Ships, a nonprofit organization providing medical care to Africa’s destitute poor.

Despite "separation of church and state" concerns, I do not see how this concert was deemed inappropriate because religion wasn’t forced on anyone, tickets were available in other venues besides New Hope and all proceeds went to Mercy Ships.

I hope this misunderstanding is cleared soon and look forward to seeing New Hope partner with Moanalua High School again in the future to bring back this annual tradition.

Roniza Trinidad
Liliha

Scott’s column would be good for students

The first thing I read is Susan Scott’s column, "Ocean Watch."

It’s almost like being there on her boat, the Honu. It should be required reading in our schools.

Barbara Ikeda
Mililani

Teacher evaluation working at pilot level

I have been a teacher for nearly 40 years — 16 years in the classroom — and I am excited about having a system in place that allows teachers to evaluate their skills, be deliberate in their practice and help them move forward as effective teachers.

Mountain View Elementary is one of the 81 schools that have piloted the new system for over a year now. Like any professional who takes pride in their work, I know my skills are always evolving. Through use of the research-based Charlotte Danielson classroom observation framework, I am doing two things: assessing myself and moving forward — looking at the characteristics of the next level.

What I appreciate about this is that it is targeted at educators and is therefore designed to help encourage teachers to reach that "distinguished" level.

I commend the Department of Education for recognizing the complexity of the profession and the efforts put forth to improve the art and science of teaching.

Judy Courtot
Mountain View, Hawaii

Jones Act keeps jobs in United States

Republican U.S. Senator wannabe John Carroll has taken aim at that "job-killing regulation," the Jones Act ("Suit filed against U.S. government over Jones Act," Star-Advertiser, Nov. 30).

The law, which Carroll believes is unconstitutional, requires U.S.-built ships with U.S.-citizen crews carry all cargo from the mainland to Hawaii.If Carroll is successful, he’ll be in the company of good Republican "job creators" by shipping American jobs overseas.

Without the Jones Act, the cheapest game in town would be a Chinese shipping company using Chinese ships and Chinese crews to carry cargo from the mainland to Hawaii at the lowest cost — at least until political tensions or world events cause the PRC Central Committee to halt the service.But that couldn’t happen. Could it?

Creighton W. Goldsmith
Nuuanu

FROM THE FORUM

"Teachers union rejects contract offer; talks to resume in January," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 10:

» Not available until Jan 11? I guess they’re all headed to the bowl games, or maybe to Las Vegas. If the Hawaii State Teachers Association was really serious, it would have accepted the state’s offer to resume negotiations on Dec 19.

» With this economy, the teachers are lucky to have a job at all. Union or no union, wait until the economy gets rolling again, then flex.

» Playing the game of chicken in the negotiations could result in another last best-and-final offer for the next contract. Thumbing their noses by refusing another December return to the bargaining table is not thinking of its members. The current protest will not restore a contract for the current period. Teachers, blame your own leadership.

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"1,743-acre buy likely to boost local farming," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 11:

» Grow local, support local and lessen our dependency on imported food.

» Now if we can just save the land on the Ewa/Kapolei plain from development

» Actually Hawaii imports 85-90 percent of its food because it is cheaper for the consumers. That will change only if there is a huge calamity that disrupts shipping.

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"Environmental groups sue over new solar rules," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 12:

» The state Tax Department established the rules years ago, yet Gov. Neil Abercrombie accuses taxpayers and solar companies of cheating, even though they are following the rules. The Sierra Club should add libel to it’s lawsuit.

» Gov. Abercrombie might be better served by getting the government out of the subsidy game in the first place. Let the free marketplace decide what works and what doesn’t, and don’t take away the people’s income in the first place. But don’t get ticked off at those who agree to play the game by the rules set forth.

» Rep. Denny Coffman has it wrong. The state Department of Taxation submitted a bill to the Legislature last year trying to spell out what the governor has done administratively. The Legislature rejected it, meaning it was content with the policy that was in effect at the time. Coffman tried to spin it but can’t pull it off. The state should simply follow the federal way of determining tax credits. You don’t see the president running around calling anyone cheaters. Only our governor resorts to such childish actions.

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"UH sports sacked for a loss of $1.8M in 2012," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 13:

» Eliminate some administrative positions throughout the University of Hawaii system to make up the deficit. Start with the many public relations positions.

» When Stevie Wonder comes and does his benefit concert, the UH will be back in the black again. … Huh? You mean he’s not?

» The athletic department needs to be run like a business. Maybe new Athletic Director Ben Jay with his financial sports business background will be able to turn things around. All I know is if football is the main revenue generator, Coach Norm Chow and his staff better get off their okoles and just win, baby.

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"City to sharpen evacuation plans, tsunami signs," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 13:

» Oahu will post new evacuation signs? This is the bureaucracy that fails to post correct airport signage, readable street signs at every intersection, and adequate highway warning signage (open or closed in case of an accident), and that post sign after sign in front of each other so you can’t read beyond the first one, will leave up construction zone signage months after the project is done, and fails to take steps to protect signage from vandals. Now they will post new hurricane evacuation signs? Give me a break.

» How about paving and fixing the roads?

» They tell people to evacuate Waikiki and then there is complete gridlock on Ala Wai Boulevard. All the signs in the world won’t help that. We need a bridge over the canal — probably a University Avenue connector, at least.

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"Donovan to head Cal State Fullerton athletics," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 14:

» Good for him!

» Jim Donovan says going to Fullerton is just like going home. When will we learn that we need people at UH who consider Hawaii home?

» Donovan made the dull summer of 2012 into an exciting time. We owe him thanks and cannot wait to see what else he will spoil in California.