• Charter school alternative • Frightful night out • Killing not the answer • Libby broke the law • Goias family needs a hand Charter school alternative My son was checked out of Kapa‘a Middle School to the Myron B.
• Charter school alternative
• Frightful night out
• Killing not the answer
• Libby broke the law
• Goias family needs a hand
Charter school alternative
My son was checked out of Kapa‘a Middle School to the Myron B. Thompson Academy mid-eighth grade due to similar issues as stated by Tonia (“School staff should just do their jobs,” Letters, June 17).
In our case, besides report cards, I would call quarterly meetings with counselors and teachers for student progress. It was at one such gathering before entering the meeting site that the counselor Mr. Long commented that “If Pohaku didn’t straighten up, they were going to make him a parking stall” indicating the student would not be moving on to high school. Outraged that I had not been earlier contacted with these concerns as I left specific instructions as well as adequate contact information and knowing that some of these very same staff members were actively trying to unseat the principal, I removed Pohaku that day from KMS. It was the principal, Ms. Bode who mentored us for the remaining school year, she made the final assessment, and Pohaku went on to ninth, 10th, now 11th grades at the MBTA where he holds a 3.2 GPA. Ms. Bode was absolutely the best. Unfortunately, she was unfairly pressured by staff that did not like the strict style or character that Ms. Bode possessed. These same staff members did everything they could to bad mouth, degrade the years of excellent service and work that this principal had already in place long before the trouble-making staff came aboard. Eventually they succeeded with their shibai, and another principal was placed. Charter schools are the new age in education and I challenge parents, who have the best interest of their student family members in mind, to seek out this college prep alternative. For $150 a year, the MBTA student gets a laptop with all Hawai‘i teachers, students, online curriculum, and Kapa‘a campus site for tutor support. Parents, you may be pleasantly surprised with the options you have to choose from.
Debra Kekaualua
Kapa‘a
Frightful night out
On Friday night (June 15th) my friends and I were enjoying a night out with the girls at a Po‘ipu nightclub when a fight broke out. Tables were flipped over, broken glass was everywhere and we were all caught in this brawl between two men with no way out.
There was only one security guard in the club and as he tried to break it up, he was cowardly struck in the face by one of the brawlers’ friends. I hope his pay reflects the risk he has to take.
In the process, several innocent people were hurt and this could all have been prevented if the club hadn’t been so packed. The signage on the wall said 180 capacity although it was clear that there were over 300 people. Is there any agency regulating this? What if a fire broke out? With the four security guards there, that would mean that with two people watching the door and two watching the back, how many are there watching the inside?
Out of the last eight times that I went to the club, six of them had fights and on a couple of these nights, there were multiple fights going on at the same time.
I hope that revenue isn’t placed above the wellbeing of patrons. I wonder if someone from the Fire Department or liquor commission is doing anything if this has to happen on a weekly basis.
Tee Miranda
Lawa‘i
Killing not the answer
We have three cats that we rescued from the Kaua‘i Humane Society while living on Kaua‘i plus one rescued from Port Allen and two from PMRF (“A lot like herding cats,” Letters, June 18). The last three were dumped there by folks who didn’t want them, but were too lazy to take to the Humane Society. If these cats had just been killed because nobody wanted them, we would never have experienced the love they have given to us and they would never have lived the happy lives we have been able to give them.
The cats released by the Humane Society are spayed or neutered to prevent them from procreating. If everyone would spay and neuter their pets, the cat problem would eventually cease to exist. But, just blatantly killing innocent animals is not the answer. You say you love cats — then why don’t you actively help with a spay/neuter program instead of advocating killing cats?
Linda Reagan
Carrollton, Va.
Libby broke the law
We have seen and heard some opinions recently that Scooter Libby should be pardoned or have his sentence commuted by President Bush.
I think this would be hazardous to the health of our rule of law.
Judge Walton judge wrote, “I just think blue-collar criminals are entitled to the same kind of justice as white-collar criminals.”
That is exactly right. Libby is a convicted felon, sentenced for obstruction of justice, lying and perjury, and received a 30 month sentence with the shorter sentences to be served concurrently.
It shouldn’t matter that he worked for the president and the vice president. It shouldn’t matter that he was an “important” person.
Libby should do the time just as any of the rest of us would.
Gy Hall
Kilauea
Goias family needs a hand
I would like to comment on the article of the homeless family (“Homelessness hits hard,” A1, June 17). My heart goes out to the Goias family and the daughter who loves her mom. I wish I had it, what it would take to help this displaced family to build their home. It was mentioned that even a one bedroom would be acceptable. But how would they all live in a one bedroom with all the construction going on on Kaua‘i isn’t there a contractor or more that can help this family with their need? I believe with all the moneys spent hotel to hotel can be well spent on a mortgage. I remember Kaua‘i too, when helping those in need came from the heart. Today, where are the hearts of Kauaians? Why is it all about money? I tried to pay for two rooms for this family at Kaua‘i Palms and also at the Kaua‘i Sands and was told there were rooms available until the first of July. When the family went there to check in, the family was told that there was no availability because the place was going to be fumigated (Kaua‘i Palms). At Kaua‘i Sands the family was told they could stay for only three days, after the woman told me I needed to put my monies into the Goias account. I know this grandmother and she works hard for her money, to ensure shelter for her ‘ohana, and also for many on the island of Kaua‘i. She always has a kind word, always asks how anyone’s family is doing. Come on Kaua‘i, this is one of your own families. Why should they leave their roots and start again on an island foreign to them? This woman is dedicated to her ‘ohana, her job, and to many subscribers of the newspaper that receive home delivery. I feel for this grandmother/mom. She must be lonely, uncared for, shattered in a million pieces inside not knowing where she will shelter her ‘ohana when they wake-up.
Yvette Nakihei
Wailuku, Hawai‘i
