• Education fix: all in it together • TSA still hiring • Work to make walking safer • Kokua the truck drivers Education fix: all in it together “Education which was once a pathway for the privileged few has now
• Education fix: all in it together •
TSA still hiring • Work to make walking
safer • Kokua the truck drivers
Education fix: all in it together
“Education which was once a pathway for the privileged few has now become a highway for the masses.” Several decades ago, this was the first sentence of a position paper I wrote focusing on the dilemma of the dysfunctional public-education system not only here in Hawai‘i, but throughout the USA.
Today, a nationwide concern is reverberating primarily in response to a recently released documentary, “Waiting for Superman.”
Let’s face it. It will take some major paradigm shifts to “fix” the problem, but along the way, let us remember some of these simple truths: 1. Education begins at home and must be continually nourished in the household. 2. The process of learning can and should be interesting and stimulating, urging the students to WANT to acquire more knowledge and skills. 3. The emphasis of education should be well-rounded to include ways in which each child may realize his/her full potential academically as well as socially, and to be self-reliant, “wealthy and wise,” if that were possible, to boot!
These tasks are shared responsibilities of the home, the school, and the community through varied inter-related commitments and collaboration, ad infinitum. The more we try to compartmentalize “whose job it is to do what” the more we continue to place the responsibility on somebody else’s shoulders.
Plain and simple, we’re in this together. It’s time to be a part of the solution rather than merely pointers of the problem.
That’s a good place to start and to stick with.
Sincerely,
Jose Bulatao Jr. (retired educator), Kekaha
TSA still hiring
As a follow-up to the September 30, 2010 article titled “TSA job fair attracts hundreds,” the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at Lihu‘e Airport (LIH) would like to express our sincere appreciation to the County of Kaua‘i’s Office of Economic Development and the WorkWise Center for their continued partnership in supporting TSA-LIH in the recruitment of Transportation Security Officers (TSO).
Today, approximately 48,000 TSOs serve on TSA’s frontline in 457 U.S. airports. TSOs use their training and experience to effectively and efficiently screen approximately 2 million people a day.
The hiring process is a series of steps that take an average of 3-6 months for candidates to complete.
To ensure a candidate’s success through the hiring process, it is vital that the candidate remains engaged via the Candidate Dashboard (https://tsajobs.tsa.dhs.gov/candidatedashboard/) and continue to check their e-mail for important updates.
A brief overview of the steps is noted below. These steps must be completed in order.
1. Completion of the computer-based test;
2. Acceptance of the contingent offer and submission of the Fair Credit Report Act Authorization Form and the Authorization for Release of Information Form. This will trigger a credit history check;
3. Completion of the assessment (interview, color-vision exam and collection of fingerprints);
4. Completion of a medical examination;
5. Submission of the Electronic 86 – Questionnaire for a National Security Position.
Successfully completing all steps will render a candidate eligible for a job offer.
We thank you for your interest in the success of the TSA’s mission to protect the nation’s transportation systems to ensure the freedom of movement for people and commerce.
Sharlene K. Mata, TSA U.S. Federal Security Director
Monika Mali, TSO Hiring Program Manager
Work to make walking safer
I really did walk one mile to school each way when I was younger, and I used to have a home within one mile of the three local schools. In Kalaheo, however, the distance between our house and the school, along with the unsafe walking conditions make it where most parents in my neighborhood drive their children to school. After being on the Safe Routes to School Task Force, I wanted to find a safe way to let my youngest child walk more to and from school. This year, I started letting my son out of the car up the street from the school. At first, he was so used to being dropped off and/or picked up by me or other parents that he was upset. Then, a few days later, when it was raining, he was upset when I drove past the stop on the way to school. He and his friends actually now enjoy walking home together. Papalina Road is still dangerous, but more kids are exercising! Please help us make streets safer so that walking/biking/exercising on the way to and from school is easier! Mahalo!
Susan Smith, Kalaheo
Kokua the truck drivers
This is the fifth year for National Truck Driver Appreciation Week on Kaua‘i, designated by the American Trucking Associations.
Sept. 19 through Sept. 25th was the week to show appreciation to our many truck drivers. A Tow In Paradise gave out free drinks and snacks in Lihu‘e and Kapa‘a. “Mahalo” to Ron Wiley who “told the world” each morning on Kong radio and to The Sign Machine for the donated banner. Remember to continue to show your appreciation to our truck drivers by letting the truck driver out into the flow of traffic in front of you. Never pass or enter a lane in front of a truck, they take twice as long to slow down or stop because of their weight and shifting gears.
If you cannot see the driver’s face in his side mirror, then he cannot see you. We can all work together to keep everyone safe on our roads.
Roger Ridgley Jr., Kapa‘a
