Age matters little for child’s education

I am an educational assistant for the state Department of Education. I’ve been working with kindergarteners for the last six years.

When I heard that the birth date for a child to start kindergarten was changed form Dec. 31 to July 31, I thought this absurd. I have seen that age matters little in the child’s education, especially in kindergarten.

I have found that when the child attends preschool or a parent works with them at home, the chances of the child succeeding in kindergarten increase.

I urge the DOE to start a pre-kindergarten class for children born between Aug. 1 and Dec. 31. It will help them get ready for school.

Alan Kim
Moiliili

Sex ed should be province of parents

So now we are teaching 11-, 12- and 13-year-olds alternative methods to have sex without consequences.

Is this because our kids are doing so well in mathematics, science, history and English that teachers have time to waste on something that should be the province of only the parent?

I no longer have school-age children, but for the first time in my life, I’m glad my grandchildren are not in school in Hawaii.

Marjorie Goodloe
Hawaii Kai

Planes flying over homes dangerous

Our hearts go out to the family of state Health Director Loretta Fuddy, who died in a recent aircraft disaster.

The cause of the disaster? Engine failure.

I can’t help but think: What if it had failed over a neighborhood and crashed into a home or school? Tragedy compounded.

Two years ago, the FAA changed the flight path of jets approaching Honolulu Airport. Instead of arriving over water, they come in over Oahu’s densely populated valleys. Here in Palolo, on the Koko Head side, we now have jets thundering overhead at all hours, day and night, sometimes less than one minute apart. The FAA’s reason? It’s safer.

Safer for whom?

Loren Madeiros
Palolo

Snowden broke his oath to hide secrets

I found the article about Edward Snowden’s progression to sainthood to be very offensive ("Pardon Edward Snowden," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 25).

Anyone employed in government security has signed an oath not to reveal the contents of classified information and acknowledges very severe penalties if he or she were to do so. A very substantial effort is made to keep all security information compartmentalized and secure.

If you read the white papers of foreign militaries, the hatred toward the United States is astounding. Snowden’s distributing of classified information to the world was pure betrayal and may affect the safety of every U.S. citizen. He should suffer the consequences of his betrayal.

Milton Allione
Kailua

Mahalo and aloha to writer Cynthia Oi

Aloha to Cynthia Oi.

We were saddened and disappointed to read that she will no longer have a column in the Star-Advertiser. She has been a must-read because she supports her ideas with well-reasoned thoughts and facts.

I wish her well as she moves on.

Mandy Bowers
Manoa

(Editor’s note: Cynthia Oi is retiring.)

Vehicle theft ruined family’s vacation

I have great memories of Hawaii, especially going there to avoid a harsh Canadian winter.

That’s why this year’s Christmas present to my daughter and spouse was a week in Waikiki, a dream vacation.

When their rental car was stolen and all their money and charge cards were stolen at a popular beach park, that dream vacation became a nightmare.

Imagine for a moment all the hasslesof no driver’s license or charge cards. My daughter was told by police that this popular beach park is known for visitors having their cars stolen.

If it’s a known problem and Hawaii doesn’t solve the problem, what message are you sending to tourists? I suspect tourism is vital to Hawaii’s economy, so crime needs to be addressed.

To all the locals and police who helped my kids, Merry Christmas. To the thieves: Merry Christmas — and may the magic of Christmas change your ways.

Joe Creron
West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

Convicts better off than isle students

Does anyone else find it ironic that death-row prisoners in Baton Rouge, La., won a lawsuit because the prison cells get over 88 degrees?

I used to substitute teach in Central and LeewardOahu. My son and now my grandson go to Campbell High School.It gets over 88 degrees in the classrooms,and our kids are not convicts but wonderful students.

Perhaps Hawaii students need to pursue a lawsuit in order to get the same rights as death-row convicts.

Lizette Haneberg
Hawaii Kai

Ads inside buses are mostly bus ads

Would the mayor of this beautiful city take the time and for a day or two — with the City Council — take field trips riding TheBus, please?

What he would find: lots of advertising space inside the bus, 80 percent unused, and what ads that exist are mostly bus ads.

We are a captive audience and I love to read the ads. He would have to put together a great sales team to fill the spaces. Why not start there and see what revenue comes in?

If he is not interested, then a warning: He might push the bill through, but without the great sales team mentioned above, he would have the same situation outside.

Hanna Heintz
Makiki