Letters for Sunday, January 16, 2011

• Yes, we can • Borrero should still be coach • Why waste? • Let

up on the gas • Re-evaluate methods of motivating students

Yes, we can

While our Kaua‘i County government certainly appears to be working together without the animosities evidenced in prior administrations — specifically transportation department big wigs removal — I am still leery of the continuances of somewhat rampant unethical behavior that continues to wax and wane in our courts and state entities.

Having recently returned from eight months living on the Big Island, I was amazed to find Hawai‘i County provided free Hele On Bus islandwide, as well as a shared-ride taxi program where in my case for as little as four $2 ticket coupons, I was able to move from Home Panaewa to employment Hilo Medical Center, door-to-door service within urbanized Hilo or Kailua- Kona areas limited to 9-mile radius costing me $8 daily.

Kaua‘i bus cost would be $4 and inconveniences of either a route that doesn’t exist, inability to r/t due to similar nonexistent time schedules or a taxi fee of $60 with similar travel distance as the Big Island (Wailua Homesteads to Wilcox Hospital).

What is wrong with this picture you might ask? Having been a Kaua‘i Taxi and Kaua‘i Bus driver and considering our island size, why has this platform not been made available to our community?

There’s been 20 years of shibai and a lot of lagging game play. I am very hopeful Kaua‘i now has an administration and department team players moving towards “yes, we can.”

Debra Kekaualua, Kapa‘a

Borrero should still be coach

The situation between Coach Borrero and Kaua‘i High School isn’t really necessary.

I think that most of the coaches in the country have sworn on the field before. So I think that Borrero should be the head coach again.

Cy Morishige, Koloa

Why waste?

I agree with taking away plastic bags because you are wasting them by just throwing them away.

In my opinion, I think using reusable bags is a great idea because you (shopper) get to use them over and over again.

Getting rid of plastic bags in the household are even better when you have babies or small children in the house. It’s good because they can get their hands on them and hurt or kill themselves.

You can also save the workers some time when they put your groceries in your reusable bags. I would rather have reusable bags because I can reuse it over and over again and not waste plastic bags.

Kira Omo, Lihu‘e

Let up on the gas

Regarding the tourist who vowed he would never again come to Kauai, due to receiving a speeding ticket (“‘I will never return to Kaua‘i,’” Letters, Jan. 15):

Everyone who has ever been “pinched” shares your pain. The seeming “selective targeting” of “tourists” is apparent to Iowans passing through Missouri, Minnesotans passing through Illinois, and every other out of state traveler.

But as I sit looking out my window at a foot of Iowa snow, on the day before I leave for Kauai, I can only marvel at anyone’s “cutting their trip short” over a traffic stop.

So mahalo for the reminder; aloha for your journey; and let up on the gas, just as you would at home.

Suzan Kelsey Brooks, West Des Moines, Iowa

Re-evaluate methods of motivating students

As an educator, I am deeply worried by the numerous letters of support for Coach Borrero. While I agree with the general sentiment that termination of his contract is an extreme measure, to overlook the practice of swearing at students in practice and during games is inexcusable.

Parents, teachers, coaches and other authority figures shape the moral values of our children and stern reprimands can be made without the use of vulgar language, shouting, or causing students to feel threatened or unwelcome.

I respect Coach Borrero and the approach he is taking to this matter as documented in the Jan. 8 article in TGI, but ask that he and other members of the community re-evaluate acceptable methods for motivating students.

Marc Sicignano, Kalaheo