• Knowledge is power
• Solutions to housing shortages
• Public charter schools
Knowledge is power
The state of Hawai‘i and even the county received millions of dollars in recovery act money. Did you know that the Department of Education received $34,976,427 by the reinvestment and recovery act on July 1, 2009?
If you don’t believe me check out the Federal Web site that shows how much money the state of Hawai‘i got to “boost jobs and the economy” at www.recovery.gov.
It says on the web site this grant is for elementary, secondary and post secondary education. What in the world did they do with the money, because they did nothing to help our children? Isn’t Hawai‘i receiving a bad education report card already?
Do your part and inquire, because as a citizen we are entitled to know, and if need be, report it to the federal government. Hawai‘i’s government is wasting the recovery act money.
More great facts to really make your blood boil: Department of Public Safety, $115,000; Health Department $160,000 plus $325,000; Department of Tourism $25.93 million plus $318,196 plus $250,000 plus $9,593,500; State of Hawai‘i Attorney General received $463,917 plus $6,424,438; Kaua‘i county received $72,000; Department to Education $348,600 supposed to be for special education children’s needs.
There are many more listed, check it out for yourself. All in all it shows four jobs were created in Kaua‘i and maybe a dozen on O‘ahu. Doesn’t this defeat the purpose of getting the $681,609,000 — this is grants alone, doesn’t include contracts and loans?
Melissa Cardenas Kalaheo
Solutions to housing shortages
Mahalo to The Garden Island for highlighting the difficult realities of developing affordable and sustainable housing on Kaua‘i. While the issues of housing prices and land development addressed by others are very real, we would like to underscore another approach to these problems through Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity’s work.
Unlike commercial land developers, Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity is a not-for-profit land developer, affordable housing builder, and low-income family service provider.
Kaua‘i Habitat has built 100 decent, affordable homes for low-income families on the island since 1993. With construction volunteers and generous support from donors in the community, Kaua‘i Habitat addresses the affordable housing crisis on Kaua‘i through collaboration and partnership with working families.
As a nonprofit builder, we are not constrained by needing to make a profit on the homes we build. We pass these savings on to the homeowners themselves who make monthly payments on a zero-interest mortgage, payments that average working Kauaians can afford.
Few builders can work the way we do. And as a small construction company, Kaua‘i Habitat cannot solve the entire affordable housing crisis alone. Still, it makes sense to maximize the impact we can have.
After finishing our 100th affordable home earlier this year, we made a pledge to build the next 100 homes in half the time. Our work is possible only through the support of individuals, businesses, and foundations that want to see solutions to Kaua‘i’s affordable housing shortage.
Stephen Spears, Hanapepe
Public charter schools
Over the course of the last few years, I have written the forum regarding alternative State of Hawai‘i public charter school options, or as I have coined the phrase, the new age phenomena.
Acquiring K-12 college prep education, the Myron B. Thompson Academy is a form of home school, without the challenge of teaching.
MBTA provides the curriculum platform to the student via a laptop issued to them. Parents/students/teachers have access 24-7-365. I think the school system should seriously consider following the MBTA methods and make statewide changes.
Parents and families would save, not having to pay soon to increase bus fees, lunches, school clothes or other associated expenses. Our college student through high school managed D to A-B GPA, he was eligible for Running Start Program, and this athlete was able to travel pursuing a pro/am bodyboarding career without educational disruption simply meeting the deadlines.
I encourage everyone who is worried about their children receiving a decent education to go online or contact the main Honolulu MBTA campus for information about the Kaua‘i, Maui, Big Island satellite campuses.
Furlough days do not affect MBTA classes or schedule.
Debra Kekaualua, Kapa‘a
