Radiography program one of best in nation

Graduates of the Kapiolani Community College Radiologic Technology Program are fully qualified to work as radiographers in the state of Hawaii.

Before graduates obtain a state license to practice, they must pass a rigorous national certification exam through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

Based on ARRT exam statistics, the KCC program remains one of the top radiography programs in the nation. For the past 10 years, 99 percent of its graduates have passed the ARRT national certification exam on their first try.

In addition to becoming skilled practitioners, the students are expected to abide by the University of Hawaii Student Conduct Code, which covers acts of dishonesty.

Graduates must also follow professional standards of ethics. Violators are subject to investigation and possible suspension or permanent revocation of professional certification.

Program faculty have taken the necessary steps to address the serious issue of cheating.

Kimberly Suwa
Acting program director, Radiologic Technology Program, Kapiolani Community College

Jiggering of tax code explains state surplus

The state reported that its audited financial statements for fiscal year ended June 30, 2013, shows that net assets increased by $307 million.

The governor earlier reported that for fiscal year 2013 the state had a budget surplus of $844 million.The governor credits economic improvement for these numbers.

Baloney.

Remember Act 105? Act 105, which the governor signed on June 9, 2011, suspended for two years (July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2013) 22 exemptions and deductions for the general excise tax and six exemptions for the use tax to which the taxpayers were entitled.

During those two years, sales to the U.S. government were subject to the general excise tax. Contractors did not get the GE tax deduction for payments to subcontractors.These are only two of the 28 exemptions/ deductions suspended during the two years.

Taxpayers need to be vigilant. Since the sun has set on Act 105, the governor will be looking for other sources of revenue.

Dennis Kohara, CPA
Kaimuki

HECO making money off some PV users

The Star-Advertiser’s article on photovoltaic systems eating into Hawaiian Electric Co.’s sales, while interesting, failed to mention that some PV ownersgenerate more electricity than they use ("PV systems eat into HECO sales," Feb. 5).

This excess belongs to HECO, which generates a "credit" to the PV owner’s account, which is then carried for 12 months.

At the end of the 12-month period, the unused credit balance is zeroed out; a new credit account is started with a zero balance.

A PV owner’s "credit" should be applied against the monthly net metering charge ($17). At the end of the 12-month period, any remaining credit would either be paid tothe PV owner or carried over by HECO.

It should be noted thatduring those months when the owner’s PV system generates less electricity than used, HECO charges them at its current ratesfor the net difference.

In the three years I have owned a PV system, HECO has "captured" more than $300 a year from my account for credit not used.

Donn Parent
Waipahu

DOE didn’t respond soon enough in case

Lynedon Van Ness’ case against the state Department of Education was caused not just by the vog ("Vog victim made poor decisions," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Feb. 5).

Rather, if you read the actual facts, it is clear that his asthma was exacerbated by his work conditions and these work conditions consisted of "unusually severe vog-polluted days."

The DOE did not transfer him until November 2006,even though the following had already occurred: Van Ness had notified his vice principal in December 2005 of his exacerbated medical condition; he was then put on only "light duty"; his transfer to Oahu was granted in March 2006, yet he was not transferred for eight months.

Bottom line: Van Ness was able to work while the vog was "normal pollution" and he had given his employer notice. But the employer’s actions were too little, too late.

Elizabeth Jubin Fujiwara
Labor attorney, Downtown Honolulu

McDermott should drop anti-gay efforts

As a resident of Ewa Beach, I am puzzled by state Rep. Bob McDermott’s constant efforts to oppose gay marriage and "Pono Choices" sex-education classes.

I served my country for more than 20 years to preserve and expand our freedom for equal opportunity, and was grateful when President Barack Obama finally eliminated "don’t ask, don’t tell."

Because of our country’s progress toward greater inclusiveness, my favorite niece was able to marry her partner after a long wait.

Let’s hope our elected officials will move toward justice and equality for all.

Col. John DeSaegher
U.S. Army (retired), Ewa Beach

Hawaiian Telcom hurt by cellphones

Your editorial about protecting Hawaiian Electric Co. ratepayers is right on ("Protect ratepayers as HECO evolves," Star-Advertiser, Our View, Feb. 6).

The same issue applies to Hawaiian Telcom in the face of rapidly growing cellphone use.

With respect to HECO, I believe solar users who rely on electrical backup should be paying a full share of building and maintaining the generating and distribution system. They should also be charged for the cost of generating the electricity actually used. Solar users who are totally independent of HECO should be excused from this cost.

I believe cellphone users rely on the landline services of Hawaiian Telcom. All large businesses and all emergency services must use land-line services. They receive numerous calls from cellphone users. The cellphone companies should pay Hawaiian Telcom for the landline service used by their customers.

Jim Pollock
Kaneohe

HECO not motivated to make nice with PV

Mark Ida had it right ("HECO has put stop to solar firm growth," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Feb. 3), and your story, "PV systems eat into HECO’s earnings" (Star-Advertiser, Feb. 5) confirmed what he said.

Reduced profit, no motivation. If HECO and alternative energy ever come to the altar, it will be a shotgun wedding.

Dick Boyd
Diamond Head

There is a downside to AC in classrooms

As a teacher, I certainly hope that air conditioning will not be mandatory in schools. Every time I come out of an air-conditioned room and into the heat, I feel sick.

Luckily, my classroom is naturally cooled by tradewinds. At times, my class does feel warm, but that’s part of living on a beautiful island.

Do students learn better with air conditioning? It depends on the students. My own children prefer natural air because they don’t like to come out of an extremely cold classroom into the scorching sun. Many times, I witness children having a runny nose and I think air conditioning may contribute to this. If air conditioning is central, one sick person could circulate germs everywhere.

Prior to air conditioning, old-timers learned in our public schools just fine. Just survey the leaders, professionals and laborers in our workforce today. Were they affected negatively by a lack of air conditioning?

Pauline Chu
Kakaako

FROM THE FORUM @ STARADVERTISER.COM

Readers of the Star-Advertiser’s online edition can respond to stories posted there. The following are some of those. Instead of names, pseudonyms are generally used online. They have been removed.

"Rescued hiker recounts ordeal on snowy volcano," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 3:

» An earlier story said that the rangers said they knew he was missing because he had registered himself. So this guy actually was smart enough to register — that may have saved his life. He just didn’t pay attention to the weather conditions, which he said next time he will.

» He could’ve done the same hike in the snow back in New York. It would have saved him money, too.

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"Mars shines," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 3:

» I’m a seriously old senior, as the majority of Hawaii residents are, and all I heard was a lot of yelling and screaming. This is halftime at a football game — have some marching bands, cheerleading exhibits, etc.

» Senior Hawaii residents are not the only people watching the Super Bowl. Can you imagine a group of 20- to 30-year-olds glued to their TV set at halftime because of a marching band? If they leave the room and come back for the second half, the advertisers lose out on people watching their halftime ads. That’s why they pay millions for a 30 second commercial spot during halftime.

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"3 churches agree to settlement over school rental fees," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 4:

» The fact that three of the churches paid something is irrelevant to any possible guilt. Anyone who knows about our legal process knows that it is most often less expensive to pay something to end it. The ongoing cost of lawyers and the negative publicity is far more costly than buying your way out.

» Even with this fiasco of the churches renting the public schools in the off hours, I think it is good use of public spaces and an opportunity for extra monies that can be well spent on the students.

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"Video attached to L&L email could trigger burger lawsuit," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 4:

» When things go good for others, every one wants to jump on the wagon. Not only in food but everything else. Money talks.

» Generally, excerpts of videos used for training purposes are OK, providing they’re for nonprofit, educational purposes. I’m assuming that L&L is not making any profit showing this video to its employees. But who knows — it depends on how fair use and copyright laws are interpreted. Cue the lawyers.

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"Rats: Waikiki’s rodents in residence," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 5:

» Great. The homeless, the panhandlers and now rats. Just one more reason for tourists to stay away.

» There is no excuse for this type of problem to exist in a tourist mecca. All the politicians are to blame for this problem and I’m sick and tired of listening to the people responsible putting the blame on each other while the rodents proliferate.

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"DHHL wants its documents secret," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 5:

» Time for the state to seize DHHL (the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands), and do a complete audit. The whole "experiment" to put Polynesians "back on the land to farm" has been a dismal failure, and the state has allowed it to be run by incompetent administrators for too long now. Now, DHHL is trying to play a hide the peanut shell game. Come on state: Do your fiduciary duty!

» Is today the first of April? This is so blatant and disrespectful of the taxpayers. Given the track record of this organization, this amounts to a license to steal.

» After decades of willful incompetence, DHHL is now trying to continue this chain of broken trusts by hiding all its evidence. This should be a no-brainer. Slam DHHL’s shibai request down and maintain transparency. Only then can its bureaucrats be held accountable for their continuing string of failures.

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"$2 million shortfall forecast for sports," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 6:

» After University of Hawaii football coach Norm Chow’s first season, only delusional fans were expecting a wonderful second season. Many of us were expecting a one-to-three-wins season with a significant drop in season ticket sales. Why Chancellor Tom Apple and Athletic Director Ben Jay were thinking differently is a mystery.

» If the sports area is becoming too expensive, then cut some of it. Don’t charge students more. UH is there to educate our young people; it’s not an entertainment organization. The taxpayers shouldn’t be asked for more and nether should the students.

» Eliminate music and all the arts. After all, UH is "not an entertainment organization."