Race to the Top has a downside

Is Race to the Top another naked emperor ("School reform quixotic, report declares," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 13)?

I suspect that, like myself, many Hawaii teachers have mixed feelings about both Race to the Top and the dismal appraisal of it in the study conducted by Elaine Weiss.

Some good is certainly coming out of Race to the Top, at least at my high school. But at what expense?

Cut our rosters in half and double our preparation time and we’ll make something happen with all of the new 21st-century initiatives. Otherwise, we’re going to have to settle with the situation we’re currently dealing with: Burnt-out teachers who are putting in 70-hour work weeks and still not performing to their own or anyone else’s satisfaction, and an overheated, newfangled curriculum from which much of what was good in the old has largely vanished.

Andy Jones
McCully

Syria another victim of ‘bystander effect’

Almost 50 years ago the murder of Kitty Genovese made a huge impression on me as a 10-year-old.

The fact that dozens of people apparently watched as a young woman was brutally stabbed to death while no one came to her aid was a shocking introduction to a concept later termed the "bystander effect."

We are currently having that situation with Syria. Only now nations are watching as helpless people are being slaughtered.

We should hope that we are never in the same situation as the Syrians because we certainly couldn’t expect anyone to help us.

Mark Doo
Nuuanu

Alzheimer’s article was educational

Many thanks to Carlyn Tani for her article, "When Alzheimer’s Strikes" (Star-Advertiser, Insight, Sept. 8).

In clear and simple language, Tani tells the complex story of a patient and family dealing with Alzheimer’s. Though written dispassionately, her account resonates and evokes empathy and compassion.

The story of Clara and Mark Olds’ journey describes inevitable moments of decline and disrepair.In so doing, it addresses in direct and non-academic fashion the issues significant to the debilitating deterioration of Alzheimer’s.

Told through the lens of the courage and acceptance maintained throughout by the Olds family, Tani’s account is a poignant tale which is as informative as it is moving.

Marcia Wong
Chinatown

Bill 59 is worthy and constitutional

Bill 59 does pass muster ("Council bill bans lying down on sidewalks," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 9).

I thank Honolulu City Councilman Stanley Chang for taking the lead in the introduction of this bill and commend him for this bold step to address the issue.

I have been peddling this bill idea for some time now. It is in effect in Berkeley, of all places, and in San Francisco andPalo Alto, Calif. It has passed multiple court challenges and is constitutional.

I can assure you this bill is supported by stakeholders on Oahu who are sick and tired of people blocking the sidewalks and as a result, scaring away tourists.

If this worthy legislation fails to pass, frankly we are doomed to fall victim to inaction and fear. All of us on Oahu will suffer the economic consequences.

Dave Moskowitz
Waikiki

Don’t alter zoning for industrial park

Regarding Gordon Pang’s article, "Zoning change sought for industrial park work" (Star- Advertiser, Sept. 5): As designed, the ponding and runoff system proposed for the Kapaa Industrial Park expansion cannot handle all the pollutants the industrial park would generate, only 29 percent to 54 percent of metals. The remainder would eventually work their way downslope into Kapaa Stream, Kawainui Marsh and then into Kailua Bay.

The Kapaa Quarry area has experienced 24-hour storm events exceeding 25 inches. The 1989 storm overflowed the marsh and flooded Coconut Grove. If this expansion is approved, overflow would contain even more industrial pollutants.

At a time when millions of dollars are being spent to improve Kawainui Marsh and nearshore habitat, the City Council should consider the economic and environmental impact on the area and vote to deny the expansion.

Pauline Mac Neil
Kailua

It’s not fair to deny gays equal rights

Sonny Pasion’s complaint against our Congressional delegation’s support for same-sex marriage is misinformed ("Congress delegates betrayed voters," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Aug. 26).

Not only "straight" people pay taxes and are entitled to benefits. So do gays, who only desire to be treated like everyone else.

Hawaii, through its Legislature, has already chosen to grant gays and lesbians their just, equal rights by recognizing civil unions. By taking one more step to recognize their union as a legal marriage, with no change in state benefits, Hawaii will allow these citizens equal federal rights and benefits that they paid for but are denied by a compromise Supreme Court decision on the Defense of Marriage Act.

It is neither fair nor Christian to punish them more for want of a simple name change.

Francis M. Nakamoto
Moanalua Valley

Gay marriage issue could have waited

Our governor has decided to waste taxpayer money by ordering a special session of the Legislature for a non-critical issue.

The gay marriage issue could have waited for the regular session.

This government has no regard for the use of taxpayer money.

Bob Dukat
Pahoa, Hawaii island