Letters for Tuesday, March 31, 2009

•KCA remains committed

•Will people get the point?

•Relay service valuable

•Questions linger

KCA remains committed

The purpose of this letter is to correct the rumor that Kaua‘i Christian Academy is closing.

In fact, the opposite is true in that the school is expanding its facilities on their 10-acre campus on Kilauea Road (aka Lighthouse Road). Final touches are being done to the new Pre-School building and plans are being finalized for the future gymnasium.

It is comforting to know that we have several options of education on beautiful Kaua‘i including public schools, private schools, charter schools, online schools and home schools. We are blessed to have loving teachers in each one of the categories.

For 36 consecutive years KCA has offered an educational alternative to the people of Kaua‘i, and this next year will be a year of growth in several areas.

Even in these economically challenging times, we remain committed to quality education for our own children, and the youth of Kaua‘i.

Jimmy Johnson, Kapa‘a

Will people get the point?

I had to laugh at the Sunday letter written by Phil Higginbotham (“How to achieve gay marriage in the U.S.”). 

I hope that people get the point he was trying to make. I would like to see a survey asking the question “Should people get ‘Special Rights’ based on their religion?” I think that many would answer “no” until they realize the question is really asking “Should gay people get the same rights as everyone else?”

Last week, Sen. Gary Hooser attempted to pull the civil unions bill from committee so it could get a fair vote from the entire Senate. Thirteen senators who had stated they supported this bill voted against pulling it for a vote using the excuse that the procedure allowing that should be used only in the event that a bill did not get a fair hearing. 

I believe it was pretty clear that everyone knew that there were three members of that committee that would never vote for any bill that expanded civil rights for same-sex couples. 

I fear that some of the senators who gave promises to our community that they would support this bill knew it had no chance of leaving that committee. A fair hearing was impossible.

One of two things happened last week. Either those senators made a promise they did not expect to keep or senators betrayed their ideals in favor of political process.  To those senators I say “Shame on you!”

Bruce Lenores, Kapa‘a

Relay service valuable

I appreciate Peter Brun’s letter “Beware of this car scam”  on March 16, alerting our community of yet another scam that happens.

However, please be aware that not all relay calls are scams.

There are thousands and thousands of people who may be deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech challenges that depend on and use the relay service on a daily basis.

There are also an untold number of people who use the relay services to make arrangements to visit our island. Their legitimate calls to businesses should not be assumed to be scams.

So, while it is important to be aware of scams, it is equally important to realize that the relay service provides a very valuable service, as well.

Larry Littleton, Lihu‘e

Questions linger

I am aware that the police are an easy target for criticism, but why is it so wrong to question what is being done to battle crime and drugs?

How on earth do you expect me not to? I am trying to bridge the gap as to why repeat offenders are constantly let out with barely any jail time. I am trying to bridge the gap as to why you think that SNL wasn’t making fun of our blatant crystal meth problem.

I live on the North Shore and constantly see repeat offenders roaming the streets again. Do we really see them progressing into pillars of society? They barely do 48 hours after being caught with paraphernalia or beating their girlfriend.

I am actually aware that the county prosecutors are responsible. I don’t think there is anything wrong with questioning how or why things are done the way they are.

I went to one of your community meetings, Darryl Perry, and you said you were always open to questions and comments. Do they always have to be what you want to hear? I am not trying to say that what police officers do everyday is not commendable, I am not trying to say that police offices don’t work hard, I am not trying to say that all police officers are bad, what I am trying to say is that there is a problem and what is being done about it?

My questions were still not answered.

Noelle Barnes, Hanalei