Linguistic diversity should be valued

School authorities on Lanai reprimanded a family’s Hawaiian-speaking children for not using English ("Lanai mom sues DOE for failing to provide immersion program," Star-Advertiser, Nov. 1).

This experience is indicative of a social climate that continues to disregard, even penalize, the use and learning of languages that are meaningful to the people who live here.

The school’s offer of psychological rather than pedagogical assistance is particularly disturbing. Speaking another language is not a mental disorder.

How much does it really take to give dignity to speakers of other languages and value their skills as assets that make our islands resourceful and contribute to the well-being of our communities? It’s our kuleana to aloha this linguistic diversity in classrooms, at work, in our neighborhoods. Educators and policy- makers should not deprive community members and their keiki these opportunities. Rather, they should do everything in their power to prepare them for a world that thrives on the ability to communicate in multiple languages.

Angela Haeusler
Hawaii Kai

Is HCDA doing its due diligence?

I wonder if the Hawaii Community Development Authority has completed a comprehensive analysis of the age and the current and projected capacity of Honolulu’s sewer system as it relates to the significant increase in condo development it recently authorized in Waikiki and Kakaako.

I’m reminded of the recent accident that occurred at the Sand Island wastewater plant.

Also, has HCDA completed a comprehensive analysis of the number of vehicles on our roads today and the number that would cause serious gridlock, as we often see happening today?

Last but not least, has HCDA conducted a comprehensive analysis of our drinking water supplies and whether these increased condo developments will have any detrimental effect on usage and supply?

I hope the HCDA has requested these studies and can show them, if asked, to demonstrate that they are more interested in these systems working smoothly for our residents than just the increased tax revenue the projects will generate.

Harlan Dismuke
Ala Moana

SHOPO president needs reality check

I have a few comments and questions about the senseless ad on Oct. 30 from State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers President Tenari Ma’afala, in which he said that the Honolulu Police Department is "human too."

» Maybe there are so many 911 calls from the "rich, poor, strong and weak" because of the revolving-door-of-crime syndrome in the state. The perpetrators never really get prosecuted, convicted or sentenced for their crimes.

» I did not read one word in Ma’afala’s ad saying that violence against women (or men) is never OK with SHOPO, or that any HPD officer who engaged is such violence will be held accountable by harsh discipline and/or termination.

» Why does SHOPO support funding useless rants by Ma’afala instead of funding yearly mandatory classes on domestic violence for every HPD officer?

Nancy Manali-Leonardo
Waikiki

Chow showed lack of loyalty at game

I have remained faithful to University of Hawaii athletics for more than 30 years.

However, watching head coach Norm Chow’s sideline conduct on Saturday night against Utah State was undesirable.We love it when he goes after the officials, but going after special teams coach Chris Demarest with a hateful demeanor is way out of line, especially with an audience.

Errors do happen in a game; it’s expected.Get up and keep trying.Find the positive. What happened to, "I’m not a quitter?" Obviously, Demarest was abandoned on Saturday night.

Chow was dissatisfied, it’s understood. What we saw were fangs showing and a finger elevated to the face. No staff member should be pounced on with such a loss of composure. Loyalty is disappearing.

Robert Rosin
Waipio

Students first, or athletes first?

With the latest round of news from the University of Hawaii-Manoa athletics department, I’ve been wondering: Is it "student-athlete" or "athlete-student?"

Lloyd Nakahara
Mililani

Arnold will be first off the sinking ship

Star-Advertiser writer Dave Reardon hit it right on the nail when he said former University of Hawaii men’s basketball coach Gib Arnold threw his staff under the bus ("No matter who is to blame, UH has itself another mess," Star-Advertiser, Further Review, Oct. 31).

When the NCAA takes action on the infractions, it’s every man for himself. He will be the first off the sinking ship.

Herbert Ishida
Mililani

Let’s try ferries to ease Oahu traffic

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s solution for reducing the cost of rail for the nine stations, by breaking it up into three separate packages, isn’t going to work.

Three smaller packages won’t reduce the cost in any way.It’s like putting things on layaway. The price is going to be the same no matter what.

The city should take its losses and shelve the whole project and really consider an Oahu island ferry system.

More than just "TheBoat," such a ferry would give riders a choice to bring their cars and bikes.The ferry would go from Ewa Beach to town and Hawaii Kai to town.

That’s all you truly need.It would be a whole lot cheaper than this rail project, faster and easier to implement, and maintenance would be cheaper, too.

Teresa Elefante
Kailua