Educational equity will help all succeed

HE‘E is a coalition of community organizations that provides a community voice for public education policy.

One area of focus has been on educational equity, as we are concerned for specified groups that need particular attention — students with disabilities, students who do not speak the language of instruction, students with socio-economic challenges, and racial and ethnic groups that have historically not succeeded in our schools relative to others.

We would like to thank the Legislature for continued support of the Department of Education amid a conservative economic outlook. In the state budget, the Legislature not only addressed ongoing basic needs but also, and importantly, included additional funding for Hawaiian education, special education and community engagement.

These resources, along with the increased salaries for teachers, will help all students succeed.

Cheri Nakamura

HE‘E coalition director

Makiki

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Aid in dying, ban on styrofoam fizzled

The Star-Advertiser article about the Legislature’s “epic fail” (May 7) barely scratched the surface of this session. While the article described the failure of the Legislature to address Oahu’s rail funding challenge, it merely alluded to the real problem: lack of political courage.

The article described state Rep. Angus McKelvey being replaced because “McKelvey’s colleagues complained he let them take the fall publicly for some unpopular decisions, including action to kill a bill that would have increased regulation of pesticides.” In other words, his committee members were loath to vote either way.

The same can be said about other important bills, most notably the bill on death with dignity and the bill to ban styrofoam food containers. These bills died in committee. Why? Simply because legislators lacked the courage to go on record.

The excuse that the bills were killed because they were flawed rings hollow.

The people of Hawaii deserve better.

Tony Turbeville

Makiki

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Remember failure come Election Day

The lamentable failure of the 2017 Legislature to resolve or achieve anything of importance mandates the eviction of every last representative and senator.

Sure, there are still some dedicated, competent, selfless individuals left, but they have been tainted by their failure to inspire or spark their spiritually exhausted, sclerotic colleagues. Enfeeblement is contagious.

On Election Day, be merciless and take as your motto the astringent demand of Oliver Cromwell to the Rump Parliament in the 17th century: “You have sat too long here for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!”

David Lee

Makiki

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Crucial data lacking in rail financials

The public lacks important data about Honolulu’s rail project. Either the media or the government, or both, have failed to reveal the many financial deals made with developers and related agencies, businesses and unions along with the decision to extend rail to Ala Moana and beyond, including the location of stations along the way.

Clearly, these deals would be jeopardized by a suspension of the rail system until its funding could be based on reasonable and feasible sources of revenue. What is the likelihood of expensive lawsuits should the rail project be temporarily stopped in its tracks?

We need the entire picture. Otherwise, fanciful theories, based on insufficient data, will abound about the refusal to halt or amend the project.

Good alternatives have been proposed, but government is not responding to them. The elevated railway is an aesthetic disaster as well — so “ground” it, at least.

Where is the governor’s voice in all this? He is supposed to be a logical thinker.

Jean E. Rosenfeld

Makiki

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It’s right time to put lottery up for vote

With everyone out there looking for money to fund the rail system, this is the right time to think about a lottery.

With all the bickering about who will pay for rail, this system will automatically figure that out. Whoever wants to buy lottery tickets will know where the money is going, and they’ll have a chance to win some back. It’s a win-win situation.

As for the few who thinks a lottery will bring unwanted trouble: What do the other states think? Nearly every state has a lottery.

We should put the lottery question to a vote on the coming election. There is nothing to lose. We can set up a lottery on a temporary basis and see what it brings. We can always scrap it.

Think about it. It’s time.

Wayne Nakamura

Aiea

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Freedom of speech not a criticism shield

Carl Bergantz spins his all-too-familiar rhetoric surrounding the importance of free speech from his one-sided perspective (“Colleges discourage truly free speech,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, May 5).

Freedom of speech does not shield anyone from criticism, nor does it require people to listen. While freedom of speech allows for open dialogue between various groups and parties, too often in these highly charged political times they disintegrate into personal attacks.

Why not take a good hard look into the themes and ideas you are promoting before scheduling a speech? I would also implore Bergantz to do some soul-searching on freedom of speech and think carefully about some of his societal accusations.

Ryan Tin Loy

Makiki