KAIMUKI HIGH SCHOOL

'WEST SIDE STORY' A MUST-SEE PERFORMANCE

I just saw "West Side Story" at Kaimuki High School. I immediately went to my computer to spread the word.

It is one of the best productions I have seen in Hawai'i —and not just a school performance. It was one of the best performances I have seen.

There are two performances remaining — Friday night and Sunday matinee. I strongly recommend that you catch one or both of the remaining performances. Bravo!

ROADWAY LANDSCAPING

OVERGROWN WEEDS HELP TO HIDE THE TRASH

Some letters have been written recently about the weeds and brush overgrown along our roadways.

I also find that disgraceful. However, we can look at it in a different way — it hides all the 'opala that is thrown out of vehicles or dumped purposely.

EXTREME WEAPONRY

GOVERNMENT REGULATION OF GUNS FULLY JUSTIFIED

I agree with J.B. Young's letter (March 2) in which he complains about the Second Amendment's being (mis)used to justify extreme weaponry. It all goes back to the need to read the whole sentence in the amendment, which is usually ignored by those who cite only the last part out of context:

"A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

The first part establishes the context for the second part, qualifying and limiting it, so that government regulation of gun ownership is fully justified.

It was state-sponsored militias that helped us to win our independence, but the amendment never intended that each individual in the country, outside any government control, should have the kind of extreme weapons that should be left in the hands of the regular military and police.

I, too, am tired of hearing the U.S. Constitution abused just because gun manufacturers want to increase their sales and escape sensible regulation.

ELECTIONS

EXCITING TIME FOR U.S., HAWAI'I, DEMOCRATS

As the good people of Ohio, Texas, Vermont and Rhode Island engaged in their primary elections and caucuses yesterday, I fondly reflected on the Democratic caucus in Hawai'i on Feb. 19.

Our caucus site at 'Aiea High School was brimming with excitement and people (933 from Districts 32 and 33) of all ages, who waited patiently for a very long time to make their voices heard.

As a lifelong Democrat who has taken part in many caucuses in Hawai'i, I was so excited to see the enormous number of people who were determined to exercise their democratic privilege and responsibility to vote.

As a result of these caucuses, Hawai'i has registered hundreds of voters, and the Democratic Party happily welcomed new members to its fold.

It is an exciting time for America, our state and the Democratic Party.

INOUYE, HANABUSA

ATTITUDE OVER DELEGATE VOTE IS 'INCREDIBLE'

Perhaps it is time for Sen. Daniel Inouye and state Sen. Colleen Hanabusa to remember that we elected them to represent our will.

I will remember their audacity come next election. Their attitude toward the people of this state is incredible.

We clearly prefer Sen. Barack Obama. I feel embarrassed for them, and will certainly never vote for them again.

TRANSIT

THEBUS BETTER CHOICE FOR ISLAND OF O'AHU

Mayor Mufi Hannemann's intent is very good to try to improve traffic conditions. Choosing a rail system for a small island like O'ahu may not be the correct choice.

People will need to drive and park at a location to board the rail, causing traffic. Unlike buses, the rail will not go into valleys, up and around mountainous areas or around the Windward side of the island.

To run the rail system during "quiet hours" will cause the community to grumble.

How much will it cost the rider?

A person will need a way to get to the rail depot. Only some people will ride their bike or moped. Now we will need to construct a depot parking lot.

TheBus system we have is good for our island, and only would be better with more buses.

LET'S MAKE BUS FREE FOR A YEAR TO CUT TRAFFIC

Funny how the conversation changed from whether we need a train to where should it go.

The mayor's panel of experts chose not only the most expensive but also the noisiest option with outmoded technology.

The project is not even rated by the Federal Transit Administration, yet the mayor wants to start construction. This leaves open the possibility that the feds will deny funding.

If the administration is willing to gamble on $700 million from the feds, why not make the bus free for one year, and see how many cars that would take off our roads?

EDUCATION

NEW COMPREHENSIVE AUDIT OF DOE IS NEEDED

I would like to clarify comments by Schools Superintendent Patricia Hamamoto in her Feb. 21 letter to the editor, "Independent audits key to accountability."

The superintendent's spin on this subject matter missed the point. A comprehensive management audit of the Department of Education in its entirety has not been conducted since 1973. Yes, there have been financial audits. Yes, there have been audits of other programs within the DOE, such as the constant harassment of charter schools and an audit of Kailua High School. The facts remain that, as a whole, there has not been a comprehensive management audit in a very long time.

Unfortunately, the DOE currently receives $2.4 billion of taxpayer funding without true accountability and transparency.

Superintendent Hamamoto has asked to be held accountable for her actions. Until this issue is resolved, the Department of Education will continue to cheat our teachers from the resources needed and our students out of a proper education.

The results to date continue to rank Hawai'i public schools well below the national average. Student enrollment has decreased while funding has increased. The funding is also unevenly distributed between the bloated bureaucracy and the classroom.

If the DOE is doing its job, it should not be afraid of an audit.

ENERGY

LEGISLATORS SHOULDN'T BE REGULATING LIGHTING

In response to Lynda Arakawa's Feb. 26 article, "Lawmakers may banish inefficient light bulbs," I would like to point out a few facts.

The Democratic majority in the House and Senate introduced 13 bills to mandate light bulbs, infringing upon my right as a citizen to decide how I want to run my household, which is not what elected officials are elected to do.

While there's no doubt that compact fluorescent light bulbs are more efficient than standard incandescent bulbs, there's also no doubt that standard incandescent bulbs are much safer.

Being that there is a 5-milligram content of mercury in each CFL bulb, legislators should be thinking about what they're going to do in 15 years when the mercury has seeped into our water system from people tossing them into the trash, which then was transported to our landfills.

By allowing the free market to work, individuals like me can purchase less-efficient yet safe lighting, while allowing individuals who care more about energy efficiency and less about safety purchase hazardous yet efficient lighting.

Let's keep the bureaucrats out of regulating lighting.

AIRPORT EXITS

FREEWAY SIGNS NEED INTERNATIONAL SYMBOL

We live near Middle Street and witness or hear cars swerving or colliding with others as they take the airport exit near Middle Street Wai'anae-bound.

These drivers have a difficult time determining where the airport exit is.

I have experienced a few close calls where cars swerve to the right to get into the airport exit lanes. I notice that the airport sign on the Middle Street overpass is skewed to the left, causing drivers to think that the airport exit is around the bend. They realize at the last minute that they are about to miss the airport exit.

When I travel to other cities, I notice that they have the international symbol for an airport (a plane) next to the airport sign. Can we help our international guests by adding a plane symbol on all of the airport signs?

Since we live here, we might not notice these small details. But a tourist rushing to the airport to catch a flight has a very small window to correctly exit the freeway.

TOURNAMENT

GIRLS BASKETBALL JAMBOREE ENJOYABLE

I am a member of the 'Aiea Middle School 14-and-under girls basketball team.

I would like to thank Mayor Mufi Hannemann for allowing us to play in the 15th annual Mufi Hannemann Basketball Jamboree at Manoa District Park Gym.

It was fun to play and enjoy an all-girls basketball tournament. I especially liked watching Jamie Smith and the Kuehu sisters up close.

It was also neat to make friends with other girls who enjoy playing basketball like me.