PROPOSED PROJECT WOULD BENEFIT AREA

Regarding the opposition to the River Street project described in two recent articles (Island Voices, "Housing project wrong for Chinatown," March 28) and ("200 rally against proposed homeless project," March 29), the facts should be clarified about the Housing First model.

"Potential" problems are feared from people involved with the proposed project. These problems are, and have long existed in close proximity to schools, temples, etc. Without direct intervention, those who inspire fear will continue to be "free to roam with little accountability." Housing First significantly reduces these problems.

Data show this model has been highly effective in many urban areas. However, it must be established specifically in the area frequented by the targeted individuals. Despite other services for the homeless and disabled in this particular vicinity, the project would not be "inappropriate" when this population is still so substantial.

Compassion and aloha for our fellow human beings who need our help would most certainly enhance the "character" of Chinatown. River Street would become more, not less, "attractive" by the project's presence. There is overwhelming, documented support for it from those of us who live, work, and/or worship in the area.

FURLOUGH FRIDAYS

SHORTENED YEAR WILL AFFECT AP TESTING

With Advanced Placement testing right around the corner, every AP class is preparing for the end-of- year assessment tests.

As a public school AP chemistry student, I can't help but wonder if we are ready for these tests — not because of poor teaching, but because of the furloughs which have placed us at a major disadvantage.

We must pay $86 to take the test, and money nowadays is scarce. If we have to pay this large amount, we should be ready, but how can we expect to be fully prepared if the school year was cut short?

Private school students without furloughs surely have a superior lead over us, being that they are given the class time needed to learn and master the necessary criteria.

I feel that the furloughs have affected our class time tremendously. We are often rushing to get through the chapters in order to stay on schedule.

It is unfair to expect us to compete with students who have had more instructional class time, and as a student, I feel that I am being cheated out of this test (and money), and out of my education.

We will see how well we do once testing is completed. The analysis will show how essential instructional class time is, and prove yet another point on why these atrocious furloughs must be demolished.

STUDENT WANTS DAYS RESTORED TO CALENDAR

As a junior attending 'Aiea High School, I'm constantly trying to maximize my education because of the deletion of school days (furlough Fridays).

While other students talk about the joy of extra days off, I strongly disagree with the idea of Hawai'i settling for the perpetuity of furloughs over the next school year.

I've witnessed the majority of students stress over senior projects, Advanced Placement classes, and homework that teachers expect to be completed by the next day because there is simply not enough time to teach students effectively.

From my perception, school is not just a place for academics, but also a place where the future is created. It's an escape from home, and where friendships are built.

Seventeen furlough days can negatively impact a student's life in diverse ways. Four years of high school rapidly ticks by and with the furloughs, it seems the days go by even faster.

The senior year is supposedly the most memorable in high school, but we are being robbed. The government needs to get it together and place the budget cuts elsewhere, and not at the future leaders' expense.

DHS SERVICES

CLOSING OFFICES JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE

It is so sad that they will be closing some health services offices. This doesn't make any sense. How can a program with a staff already overworked with applications be cut? How does the system work better? I just can't see this being better; I see it getting worse.

How will the elderly be taken care of? Some didn't plan to live this long or get sick along the way and need total medical and living care.

We have so many people on welfare who are able to get out and work.

The welfare for some of them should be put on a timetable and not be a lifelong plan for collecting benefits. Certainly, some of them need it, but many just abuse it.

I hope our representatives in government step forward and stop this plan. Everyone should think very hard and be wise to the fact that some day you will get old — maybe fall on hard times and not have enough money to survive.

DISAPPOINTED

ADVERTISER DID NOT MENTION KUHIO DAY

You really let me down this time. Let me tell you how.

My driver's license expires soon (at my age it happens every other year) so last week on Friday, March 26, I took the bus into town and went to the Satellite City Hall in order to get it renewed. I had spent quite a bit of time on my hair and makeup, and wore my most photogenic outfit. Getting "gussied up" at my age takes a lot of effort. Why did I bother? Because they would be taking my photo for the new license.

So I walked from the bus stop down to the office, arrived at about 2:30 p.m. and much to my dismay, found that the doors were locked. There were a number of signs posted on the doors, but nothing about why it was closed. I had read the morning paper from cover to cover and there was no mention of it being a holiday, so what could it be?

I went back to the bus stop, and caught the bus back to Waikíkí. I finally got the answer to my question when the bus driver told me it was Kuhio Day.

I depend on The Advertiser to keep us informed about events and activities in Honolulu. It seems to me you should have told us that it was a holiday, and printed a list of what would be opened and closed that day. Please, next time let us know.

MORNING SHOWS

MAKING JOKES DOES NOT CONSTITUTE NEWS

David Shapiro struck a nerve with his column about the sad state of affairs in the TV news.

He has put in print what I and many others have been complaining about for some time. The morning news shows (all of them) are shameful. We get virtually no news; however, we do get to see three or four supposed reporters having a good time. They make jokes, pausing occasionally to give us a weather/traffic report. They relax on a couch and play with their pets. We do get great coverage of "American Idol" and "Dancing with Stars," but nothing that can be construed as news.

Chris Archer (Letters, March 31) says we are, "stuck in the past." This may be true, but if they do not get rid of the talking heads and get real reporters, there will soon be no viewers. Whatever happened to the Barbara Tanabes? Why does it take four people to do a news show when Joe Moore can do a show virtually alone? Mr. Archer needs to rethink news programming.

POLITICAL VIOLENCE

ACCUSATION OF PALIN, GOP IS NONSENSE

In his accusation of Sarah Palin as an accessory to violence directed at Democrats (Letters, March 30), Justin Hughley refers to the "Republican strategy" to incite violence. This submission is utterly inconsistent with common sense.

While it is true that a majority of violent acts have been directed at Democrats, some have been directed at Republicans as well, and members of both parties have decried such acts and are calling for prosecution of their perpetrators to the fullest extent of the law. To suggest that any political party condones violence in the furtherance of its cause is both dangerous and inciteful in itself.

As for the accusation of Palin, it too is ludricrous. Mr. Hughley seems to have forgotten that little thing called the First Amendment right to free speech.