Use Kakaako station for educational use

Having driven by the Kakaako Pump Station often, I wondered why it wasn’t put to use.

When I first saw it as a child, I was impressed with its clean and simple design, especially its stone structure, which looked so perfectly carved. It showed me the ability of mankind to think and create a beautiful structure that still stands out and above today’s commercial buildings of various designs.

The article on the station by Robert M. Fox and David Cheever presents the 1990 proposal as still having the most appropriate use (“Pump station should become education site,” Star-Advertiser, Keep Hawaii Hawaii, Jan. 6).

What better way to educate our people, adults and children, of its important history of use and design and share with visitors? 

Soo Myung Ferrante
Palolo

Brinksmanship replaces negotiation

Washington has replaced Hollywood as the producer of Western-themed movies. In this instance, the screenplay changes as the tension builds toward a showdown about the debt ceiling and all of its complex issues.

Watch for more posturing to satisfy self-righteous positions and winning at all costs. Protecting the common good of the nation is not a factor in these negotiations. Brinksmanship and intransigence are the norm. We are headed for another “shootout at the O.K. Corral” with a bunch of ersatz cowboys.

Tony Locascio
Waikiki

Don’t add another test to student load

Providing access to the ACT exam is a waste of taxpayers’ money (“Access to ACT exam will benefit students,” Star-Advertiser, Our View, Jan. 7). Why spend “initially” $882,000 to test students (and costs may increase later)?

Testing takes students away from valuable classroom instruction. A better solution would be to analyze the ACT exams beforehand and adjust the curriculum used to teach to ensure students are taught the necessary material to satisfactorily score high on the test.

I am not implying that the ACT test itself should be taught. No amount of testing will ensure that a student is prepared for college unless changes are made in teaching the correct material.  If a student has a desire to attend college, he or she needs help to ensure they know what classes to take. This material is already available so testing is a waste.  For individuals who have no desire to attend college, no amount of testing will change their goal. 

John Gallagher
Ewa Beach

State should raise minimum wage

Recently, the Star-Advertiser published letters from readers about issues they want the Legislature to address in this year’s session (“Letters to the Legislature,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 30). I was surprised that increasing the state’s minimum wage was not one of them.

Low-wage workers who are at the bottom of the economic ladder are in dire need of help, and I hope that the Legislature would give them much-needed financial relief by raising the minimum wage. The state’s minimum wage was last increased to $7.25 in 2007 and since then, it has not been adjusted to keep pace with inflation. Raising the minimum wage would mitigate the negative financial impact caused by the expiration of the “payroll tax holiday” and also help move such workers out of poverty.

Those who opposed increasing the minimum wage argued that employers, especially small businesses, can’t afford to pay higher wages because they stymie economic growth and destroy jobs.

However, research shows that higher wages could actually create jobs by bolstering consumer spending.

Rod B. Catiggay
Mililani

Legislature should consider gaming

Both new Senate President Donna Mercado Kim and potential Speaker of the House Joe Souki have previously made it known that they are open to and will consider bills promoting different forms of gaming in Hawaii. There will be a multitude of bills that will be introduced and lobbied for to legalize the lottery, para-mutuel sports betting, shipboard gambling, casino gaming, etc. Bingo as a fundraising event for churches and other charitable groups should also be legalized.

We have the highest cost of living, pay the highest taxes and pay the most for gas. There is no relief in sight, and some forms of gaming will give us a big break. Let’s keep our gaming dollars here in Hawaii instead of going into the Las Vegas economy. It’s time for our newly elected officials to get off the fence and vote positively for gaming. The very vocal minority on this issue, those against gaming, the “tail,” should stop wagging the dog, the silent majority who want gaming.

Steven T.K. Burke
Pearl City

Sowell disrespects office of president

I was appalled by Thomas Sowell’s column (“Random thoughts on life, tolerance, guns and more,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 29).

He comments that President Barack Obama disdains successful people and does not respect America’s basic values. These statements have no factual basis.

Sowell’s insinuations are disrespectful and snide. Sowell belongs to Stanford’s Hoover Institution, which is known as a conservative think tank. This esteemed Institution, I presume, is respectful of the office of the president and would not support these offensive remarks.

Sowell needs to be reminded that it is an American value to respect the office of the president.

Obama was elected to this office once and a second time. He deserves our respect.

J’accuse.

Mary I. Piette
Kailua