Letter
to Editor
GOVERNOR
IS DOING THE RIGHT THING
by Anonymous
APRIL 14,2001 - I am a student at UH-Manoa, & I
understand the plight of the faculty. But I also
understand that Governor Cayetano is trying to do what he
believes is the right thing to do, for all of Hawaii. I
just hope the strike ends soon.
Letter
to Editor
STRIKE - COMPROMISING & PUTTING THINGS ON THE TABLE
by Ruth H. Fullaway
APRIL 10, 2001 - Compromising can be done on tenths of a percent without jeopardizing
our three goals. For example retroactive 1.9 for 1999, 1.9 for 2000, 2.8
for 2001, and 2.9 for 2002. (plus equity increments of course)
To back down on any whole category of demands will severely erode the
power of the union (HSTA). If the table is indeed open it is now possible to put on the table Pay
or Partial pay for the striking days.
If the Governor (causer of the strike) is successful in having members
pay for own medical costs a reimbursement can also be put on to the
table.
The message that Pay and respect in (and out) of the classroom is very
much tied together needs to be publicized more in articles and HSTA
public statements.
A little more well written information releases on the subject of pay
and the consumer price index (inflation) that has reduced teachers
buying power over the years is in order.
If the Governor has indeed gone down to a 12 % package we should be
able to go up to 26 % in an expanded package.
Letter
to Editor
RAISING THE AGE OF CONSENT
by Randy Prothero,
Mililani Resident
Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Peter Carlisle testified Thursday March 1, 2001 in the State House
Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs hearing. He spoke against three house bills that were
submitted to raise the age of consent in Hawaii from 14 to either 16 or 18. He suggested that the
legislators should study what the other 49 States use for language in their laws. He stated that the
current bills being introduced may be well intentioned but were poorly written. He felt that they
should sit on the issue and come back with better legislation next year, leaving the current laws alone
for now.
Now for the punch line! House bill 162 which he thought was written worst, was taken from the existing Hawaii Revised
Statutes in its exact language. The only change in it was to change the age from 14 to 18. If the law
was so poorly written, why did he not feel the need for fixing the current law?
If language in the law is a problem, as a lawyer and prosecutor he should have offered the committee
language that he felt would make the new law enforceable. If he felt 18 was too high, he should
have offered his opinion on what he thought was reasonable.
I was amazed to hear him quote a lack of statistical data to support the need to even raise the age of
consent at all. How is this for statistical data? Hawaii is the only state to have the age of consent at
14. California one of our countries most liberal states is one of a dozen states that has the age of
consent at 18. New York, Texas, Illinois and several others have it at 17. The age of 16 is the
lowest any other state has. Some states do have provisions for a lowered age in the case of
marriage. During hearings in the Senate on a similar bill, he stated that we wouldn't be able to
enforce such a law. How do prosecutors in the other 49 states get their job done?
As someone who voted for Mr. Carlisle, I am shocked and disappointed. How can anyone defend
the current law? We don't allow 14 year olds to drive cars, smoke cigarettes, ride bicycles without
helmets, see an "R" rated movie without an escort or even pump gas in the family car. The same
14-year-old who is legally protected from making their own decisions on just about everything else,
can legally be preyed upon by adults for sexual relationships. This is wrong! Only a lawyer could
defend something as ridiculous as this and try to make it sound reasonable.
SHAKESPEARE'S "A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM" TO BE PRESENTED IN MILILANI
The Mililani High School Performing Arts Center will present "A
Midsummer Night's Dream," William Shakespeare's classic comedy, on March 16,
17, 23 and 24. Performances will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the school
cafetorium.
Set in the 1960's, this tale of mixed-up lovers and magic fairies
draws on a time when young people were breaking away from authority and
exploring a new way of looking at the world. A younger generation
interprets the song lyrics, Do You Believe in Magic?" on many levels.
The play is directed by Michael Cowell, actor, writer and drama
educator. Set, lighting and costume design are by award-winning Wayne
Kischer. Music from Jimi Hendrix to the Beatles will be featured. Love,
Peace and Fairies! It's Groovy, Baby!
Tickets may be purchased at the door before performances at $5.00 for
adults and $3.00 for students and faculty. Tickets are also available
in advance from Mililani Tri-School actors.
The Mililani Performing Arts Center is one of a number of Learning
Centers established by the Hawaii Department of Education to provide
educational opportunities for high school students in specific areas of
special interest. The play is the first attempt in many years by public
high school students to stage a full-length production of a work by The
Bard.
For further information, please contact Michael Cowell at Mililani High
School, 627-7747, or 945-2920.
Letter
to Honolulu
Advertiser
MANSHO DESERVES BETTER TREATMENT
by A.
Kakazu
City Council members were delighted to see Rene Mansho
capture the attention of the eager media writers. They see
that the media have put aside the collective misdeeds of
her colleagues for the moment, so the council joined in to
punish Mansho and show the city that the council will not
tolerate rule violations by council members.
I
wish there were some way the council actions against
Mansho could be tossed out.
Like
one of her most productive predecessors, Toraki Matsumoto,
Mansho has done a ton of good in her district. She was
guided by her overpowering desire to serve her
constituents; whatever she did, she worked for the best
interests of her community.
In
fact, she might have tried to do too much. She established
college scholarships for teens, worked in various aspects
of senior citizen programs, upgraded facilities in the
neighborhoods in the entire district, etc. Nothing was
done for personal gain. Her constituents appreciated her
work; no one ran against her in a couple of elections.
Mansho
gave up a promising career as a schoolteacher and
administrator to take on her present position. We were
fortunate she remained in office this long. Unfortunately,
she is not eligible to remain in her seat for another
term. We will have great difficulty finding a replacement
as qualified and as willing to serve.
Mansho
will pay back whatever the Ethics Commission says she
should. I feel the additional fines are excessive. I think
they should be suspended. The council members should back
off. Rene Mansho deserves fairer treatment from her
colleagues.
SUMMARY
OF CENTRAL OAHU REGIONAL PARK ADVISOR COMMITTEE MARCH
12 MEETING
Softball - Phase 2 will finish the 4 baseball/soft ball
fields. A center bldg will provide a concession area &
restrooms/changing rooms.
Tennis - There will be 25 courts, to be
built in phases. First phase will include 11 courts.
Archery - Initially, 10 rows will be
developed. Ten more will be developed in an adjacent area.
Shooting will be away from homes.
Phase 2 status - Fields will be ready
in late June or early July. Tennis facility might be ready
in April 2002. Design of aquatics facility to move forward
this year. A combination community center, ballroom dance,
& art center facility is being discussed/planned.
Softball fields will be lighted. Soccer fields won’t be
lighted. Community gardens are planned for the lower edge
of the park as well as a tree farm.
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Letter
to Editor
DISAPPOINTED WITH
GOVERNOR
by Hidemi Kondo-Hackett
APRIL 9, 2001 - I am really disappointed because the Governor said " I don't care" on
the TV
news.
It is his responsibility. I never heard
Governor say "I don't care" before. It sounds so low-class.
That is why he does not want his people
to be educated. That is why Hawaii's economy is so low
where it just depends on tourism of Japan.
Hawaii needs to grow. The governor should think about his people more seriously by
looking at the big picture.
Letter
to Editor
LEGACY
by James Landers
APRIL 11, 2001 - This is without a doubt the worst possible legacy a governor could
have.
Letter
to Editor
EDUCATION GOVERNOR
by Betsy Kodis
APRIL 8, 2001
- Isn't this the man who said he would be the "Education
Govenor"?
How quickly those words are forgotten. I hope the public remembers if Mr.
Cayetano seeks any other public office representing the state of
Hawaii.
Perhaps it's time to look at impeachment for breach of promise.
KUNIA ORCHID SHOW TO BE HELD
MAR 16-18
KUNIA, HAWAI`I - The Kunia Orchid Society's annual orchid show will be held on Mar 16-18 in the rustic Del Monte Kunia Gym. The show is being dedicated to the recent passing of two of its members, Tom Reis & Waichi Takemoto.
The highlight of the sow will be an American flag donated by U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink, which will be displayed & presented to the owner of the orchid plant judged "Best in Show."
In addition to display of plants, the show will include educational lectures, demonstrations, & hourly door prizes. Show times will be 9am-5pm on Friday &
Saturday, & 9am-4pm on Sunday.
Admission is $2 at the door. For more info, contact Callman Au, Show Chairperson, at 623-8585.
LIONS
BENEFIT SUNDAY BREAKFAST TO BE HELD APRIL 1
MILILANI - The Mililani Lions will be holding their annual
Benefit breakfast Sunday on April 1 at the Mililani High
School Cafeteria from 6am-11am.
The
breakfast will consist of scrambled eggs, rice Portuguese
sausage, blueberry muffin, coffee, tea, and juice. People
can either eat in the cafeteria or there is take out
service available. The cost is $5.00 per ticket and they
can be purchased from any Mililani Lion or by calling Alan
Chinen at 627-7275 or Dick Crislip at 623-8437.
Money
derived from the breakfast goes back to the community in
the form of community projects for six area schools and
Mililani Town. This past year the Lions donated a total of
15 concrete benches to 2 area schools and the Mililani
Town Association, restriped the High School Parking Lot,
painted 16 classroom at Mililani Waena school, built
storage cabinets for Kipapa Elementary school, made picnic
tables for the YMCA and assisted in getting a bus stop for
the residents of Olaloa. All of this made possible through
the communities support of our benefit breakfast.
Donations
are also accepted and used eye glasses can be dropped off
at the door. Anyone interested in membership in the BEST
Lions Club in Hawaii may also contact the above mentioned
Lions or any Mililani Lion.
PEOPLE MAKING
NEWS
MILILANI -
Kahi
Hernandez & Jarrett Razon were named to the
Allstate Boys Soccer Team, & Jeff
Yamamoto was named co-coach of the year... Mele
French, Jennifer Iha, Mallory Iha, & Eryn Kishimoto
were named to the Allstate Girls Soccer Team. James
Uson was named co-coach of the year...Britney
"B.J." Shimamoto
was named to the Allstate Girls Softball Team...Andrew
Delos Reyes was named to the All League wrestling
team...Brandi
Horikawa & Stephen Gregory of
Mililani High School were awarded Sterling Scholar Awards
in computer science & visual arts, respectively...Justin
Iwase scored a hole-in-one on Mar 20 on the
141-yd 6th hole at Mililani Golf Club using an 8-iron...Former
City Director of Finance Roy Amemiya Jr has joined
City Bank as vice president of business & consumer
lending...Edouard
A. Gremlich was
appointed president of Castle & Cooke Resorts...Brenda
Mahoney joined
Castle & Cooke Homes as a real estate agent...Cherell
T. Hane was
named direct marketing assistant at Hawaii Host...Quincy Solano placed 3rd & Lance
Tomasa placed 7th in the boys 1 meter diving event
at the Local Motion State swimming & diving
championships at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatics Complex. Nathan
Lee placed 7th in the 100 meter breast stroke...The
MHS varsity pep squad placed
3rd at the OIA championships held at Radford H.S. The jv
squad placed 2nd...Janis Kinmore
& Robin Boolukos were named realtors of the
month by Castle & Cooke Homes...Teana
Vann was named realtor of the month by Castle &
Cooke Realty...Monalisa Sabo
was named realtor of the year by Castle & Cooke
Realty...Dawn Tamashiro was
promoted to human resources mgr at Hawaiian Bldg
Maintenance...Kristen Shimizu, Kerin
Kanno, & Kerrin Shimizu were honored at the 4-H
food show competition held at Pearly City H.S...Ala Kayatani scored a hole-in-one on
Feb 24 on the 217-yd 4th hole at Hawaii CC using a 5-wood.
MILILANI BIRTHS
MILILANI, HAWAII - Kiana Malia Mee
Bow Chung, born Jan 5 to Tracy & Herb Chung...James
Michael Hansen, born Jan 21 to Laurie & Jim T.
Hansen...Isaiah Joseph
Duenas Rogers, born Nov 1 to Jessica & William
Rogers...Brenden James Koichi Yocom,
born Jan 9 to Linda & James Yocom Jr...James
Gariel Korzenko, born Jan 11 to Sandra & John
Korzenko...Blake Herbert Kilohana
Chun, born Jan 19 to Twila & Todd Chun...
SUMMER ARTS
PROGRAM REGISTRATION
Student in grades 1-4 may enroll in the Central District's
Fine Arts Summer Program which will run gtp,June 13 to
July 17. Registration is on a first-come first-served
basis. Call your school
for more info.
UNIFIED
TAEKWONDO IS FOR EVERYONE
by Kelimia Mednick
MILILANI -
April 5, 2001. Taekwondo (pronounced tay-kwon-doh) is the Korean art of self-defense: “Tae” means foot,
“Kwon” means hand, and “Do” means way of life. Together the philosophy and
practice of this ancient martial art will develop you physically, mentally, and spiritually, according to Unified
Taekwondo Owner and Master Instructor Ik-Mu Kang.
“I was drawn to Taekwondo at age eleven,” Kang explains, “I couldn’t believe the explosive
power of the athletes’ high kicks and their ability to break boards and brick with hands and feet.”
Kang is an eighth degree black belt.
When you enter his second floor studio in Mililani, you see students of all ages and
backgrounds practicing and learning kicks, punches, and sparring
combinations in an atmosphere of high energy, alertness, honor, and respect.
“Parents are pleased with the positive impact that Taekwondo has on their children,” Kang
says. “The focus and attention required in this martial art, boosts the skills of students – many try
harder in the classroom and with surprising results.”
Second degree black belt Justin Castillo is one of Unified’s competent instructors who assist
Kang. His black belt ranks him as one of the best and most proficient in Taekwondo in Hawaii:
“I love to see the little kids get a ‘kick’ out of doing their movements correctly,” Castillo says, “And we
reward everyone after they pass their tests with a new belt.”
Novice students must first earn a white belt before they can begin testing and advancing to
higher level belts: yellow, green, blue, red, and black with varying degrees that must be tested for in
between.
“This sport requires intense dedication and concentration,” asserts Castillo, “So we all have to
try a little harder to benefit fully from the positive effects that repeated practice involves.”
Recently, Taekwondo received worldwide attention in the 2000
Olympics.
“In terms of popularity, Taekwondo outranks all other forms of martial arts -- jujitsu, aikido, karate –
Taekwondo demonstrates a more traditional style of martial arts in its discipline and
all-encompassing power,” Kang states.
Indeed, world-class popularity has attracted many to this powerful sport.
Students become graceful, well-developed, and more self-confident as they face their challenges squarely in class, in
competition, and in the outside world. “The ability to defend oneself and knowledge of being
physically fit is an important asset to anyone at any age,” Kang supports, “It teaches you to overcome
the feeling that you are vulnerable while maintaining self-control.”
If you would like to stand taller, build character, see your child develop a ‘yes I can’ attitude,
or just want to release everyday stress in a healthy way, Unified Taekwondo is the answer.
“You can feel the inner winner come out with us,” concludes Kang.
For more information, call 627-1202.
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