Reform system to aid youth offenders early

It is imperative that our legislators take to heart the article written by Judge R. Mark Browning, asking that judges and juvenile probation officers receive additional resources to help our juvenile offenders get the services they need to reduce recidivism ("Give judges and probation officers tools needed to help juvenile offenders," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Feb. 23).

As a former administrator who worked in both the juvenile and adult probation systems on Oahu, I know it is necessary to assess an individual as early as possible to determine their risk and needs and get them the services needed so they do not continue to reoffend and get deeper into the criminal system as adults.

The cost of housing youth in both the Kapolei Juvenile Detention facility and the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility is staggering.

If the monies could be diverted to the front end when the youths first enter the system, there would be a bigger bang for the buck.

Janice Yamada
Kaneohe

Protected bike lane sounds dangerous

I just read about a proposal for a protected bike lane between sidewalks and parked cars ("Council members welcome plan to cut vacant positions," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 27).

People entering and exiting parked cars can get hit by bicycles, and bicycle riders can get hit by opening car doors — a clear danger to both sides.

Paul Minczer
Makiki

Hawaii health system following wrong path

We now learn that the Hawaii Health Connector will be financially unsustainable once federal startup funding runs out.

This is only the first of a series of problems we will face with Hawaii’s health-transformation effort.

Hopes for controlling health care costs rest on three strategies: shifting more of the cost of care onto patients in the hope that they will become more cost-conscious of health care; reorganizing health care providers to deliver more coordinated care via patient-centered medical homes, and financial incentives to induce doctors and hospitals to deliver less care via accountable care organizations.

All the studies so far show that these strategies don’t work or will cost more to administer than they can possibly save by reducing health care utilization. The only proven strategies rely on administrative simplification and quality improvement driven by doctors and hospitals, not by insurance plans.

Unfortunately, Hawaii’s health-transformation initiative is moving in the wrong direction and cannot possibly work.

Stephen Kemble, M.D.
Makiki

Part-time workers need health care, too

"Cities skirt health law, cutting part-timers’ hours" (Star-Advertiser, Feb. 21) illustrates yet another flaw in the Affordable Care Act.

Our state has done the same thing for decades to the substitute teachers. Banks and businesses big and small have followed suit.

Part-time work is a fact of life in Hawaii and many people have spent their entire careers working two or even three part-time jobs.

A solution would be to impose a mandatory tax of $2 per hour for health care and then let each employee pick his or her own plan from the private market.

We need common-sense solutions that encourage people to seek employment, not discourage work and foster dependency. We need to close the loopholes that encourage the public and private sectors to limit hours. A bigger tax base benefits all and provides the money to maintain infrastructure and care for the sick and those unable to work.

Michael Barnette
Waialae Nui

All professions gain from evaluations

The article by Alan Isbell on teacher evaluations is unbelievably arrogant ("Current teacher evaluation system incredibly faulty," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Feb. 27).

Since he fails to suggest any alternative method of performance assessment, Isbell implies that teachers are perfect.

Well, I am a taxpayer and I don’t think anyone is perfect. I believe that evaluations are both good and necessary. Any process, including teaching, needs feedback to determine its effectiveness.

Isbell said, "Expect early retirements." Maybe he could be the first one.

Paul Tyksinski
Kailua

John Reppun a guy who deserves kudos

Thank you very much for putting the spotlight on John Reppun and the KEY Project ("John Reppun," Star-Advertiser, Name in the News, Feb. 28).

Here is a guy who has consistently practiced what he preached, and I can’t tell you how pleased I am to see him receive some recognition for his work in the Kahaluu community. I think for sure John is one of the modern heroes that he referenced in his comments.

Kalowena Komeiji
Nuuanu

Legislators should be paid minimum wage

MarshaRose Joyner wrote what I and, no doubt, countless working class women and men already know: Our elected officials and legislators are completely out of touch with the reality of living and working in this lovely place ("Minimum wage a women’s issue," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Feb. 25).

I propose they should all work for minimum wage. Then, they would understand the huge gap between what people who live and work in Hawaii earn and what it costs to live here. They also would understand a plethora of other issues the working class already well understands and deals with on a daily basis.

If our elected officials and legislators worked for minimum wage, they would understand the value of a buck, they would do their jobs much more efficiently and effectively, and they would raise the minimum wage to a true living wage immediately.

Karen M. Schaefer
Nuuanu

Minimum wage is for entry-level workers

The minimum wage is an entry-level wage.

It is for teenagers, students and part-timers. It is not meant to pay for an apartment rental, car or family expenses.

An employee learns at this entry-level job; gets more experience, skills and education; and increases his or her earning potential.

Jobs that require more skill often have to pay more than minimum to attract qualified workers.

Why should any employer be forced to pay more for a job that my teenage son or daughter can do?

Steve Togami
Kailua

Decorum nice but so is freedom of speech

A recent opinion about state Rep. Faye Hanonano ("Hanohano’s voice belongs in the mix," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Feb. 25), missed one glaring point — decorum.

In polite society, dignified behavior and polite speech garner respect. Knowing she is not representing Niihau, Hanohano’s words and actions do not foster inclusive participation in representative government.

On the bright side, it should not be missed by anyone that only through the free speech provided by way of the government she disparages may we all see her folly without bloodshed. For those freedoms I am thankful and would hope she learns from this experience and shows aloha to everyone.

Robert Stroud
Waikane

FROM THE FORUM @ STARADVERTISER.COM

"Hawaii was No. 2 in shark bites last year," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 24:

» We’re No. 2! We’re No. 2!

» This is bad for Hawaii. Tourists will think there are sharks at all beaches, including Waikiki. Now will we start hunting and killing sharks?

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"Researchers are urged to value native ‘science,’" Star-Advertiser, Feb. 24:

» Only a society that has forgotten that every other person around is alive due to antibiotics, vaccinations or modern medicines or techniques would pine for the days of loincloths, grass shacks and wise men channeling the spirits.

» It’s good to get information from a variety of sources. Worldwide understanding brings it all together.

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"Candidates try to distance themselves from the pack," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 25:

» Not much credibility here. Any of these kids who say they are going to Washington and end this or stop that are only showing their inexperience and naiveté. At best they will be one of 435 voices and the most junior of any. They will have no power and will not decide anything. The best we can hope for is that whoever is elected will do no harm and not embarrass the state.

» They all are Democrats. When they finish cutting each other to pieces, the Republican candidate will look like manna from heaven.

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"China training for ‘war’ on Japan, Navy expert warns," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 25:

» So, according to Capt. James Fanell, the director of intelligence for the U.S. Pacific Fleet, only the U.S. is allowed to be the big bully in Asia, with its oversized navy, bombers and subs. Take off the blinders. This is a planet with many countries, not just the United States.

» Considering we are all nuclear nations, with China holding huge amount of U.S. dollars, and we being their primary importer, I do not see China as another Russia.

» How about U.S. taking a more pro-active role in brokering a peace treaty regarding those islands? President Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize, but did he really earn it? I don’t think so.

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"Back pay on its way to teachers," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 26:

» $1,400 per teacher in back pay. That’s it? How about kicking in interest that would have been earned?

» This is one time it pays to be in a union. This fiasco would never have taken this long had it been Hawaii State Teachers Association members who were underpaid.

» Why are we paying an outside firm to do what the state is funded to do in the first place? If the state’s financial section cannot process these checks, maybe this portion of civil service should be eliminated and contracted out.

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"Possible Fale-Hee race could put gay marriage at center," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 26:

» If I could vote for Rep. Richard Fale, I would. Unfortunately, he is not in my district. Sen. Clayton Hee needs to be removed from public office. I am not a Mormon but I support traditional marriage.

» This kind of nonsense and lack of logic is the reason Republicans keep losing. They are so out of touch.

» Here we go again: a bunch of people putting their own religious view in front of others. Keep your personal religious views to yourself and out of government.

» It’s not about only someone’s religious views. For many it is about what’s normal, and has nothing to do with faith.

» There is no law that says we have to be normal. It’s about equality under law and respect for our system of government.

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"Isle Obamacare nonprofit afflicted," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 27:

» I give Tom Matsuda, interim executive director of the Hawaii Health Connector, credit for speaking the truth. Need more people like him in government. He is basically testifying that his job should be eliminated. How many of us would do that?

» How many of us would say that? All who work in private enterprise, because any bank account in private enterprise is a limited entity, not one in which one can think, oh, OK, let’s raise taxes.

» This type of information totally supports those people who have been critical of this program from the start. Just look at the numbers. What legitimate company would put up $200 million to start a program that can only generate $1 million year? On the national level the numbers are even more disturbing. President Barack Obama has spent more than $300 billion and it’s virtually assured that his signature program is not sustainable. His loyal supporters cling to the hope that all it requires are a few tweaks when a major overhaul is more like it.