No valid excuse for thefts at schools

Regarding "Ex-worker at school accused of stealing $500,000" (Star-Advertiser, Nov. 5): This egregious behavior was preceded by two other incidents of public school funds theft and it’s incomprehensible why school administrators did not immediately perform due-diligence efforts in ensuring that all public schools are complying with rules, regulation and controls relating to financial matters.

The basic concept of internal control dictates that no one person should have complete control over financial transactions, which means that every aspect of the transaction — from point-of- cash collection to recordation and disbursement — should be done by different individuals to provide checks and balances plus supervision. Ostensibly, none of these procedures was followed and the alleged perpetrator was able to hide his illegal acts.

School administrators did not fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities as trustees to safeguard students’ financial interest by not implementing effective controls.

Schools Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi states, "Staff shortages have made enforcement tough." While this may be a valid explanation, it is not a valid excuse.

Rod B. Catiggay
Mililani

Carlisle ignored downside of APEC

Mayor Peter Carlisle’s fluff piece offered no real apology to residents for the severe disruption to their lives inflicted on them by the political powers that be in the name of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ("Hono-lulu proved it has right stuff to host … ," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Nov. 16).

These APEC "world leaders" and their banker buddies are the same people who have wrecked the world’s economy, ensured that the rich get richer, gutted the middle class and ensured that the poor get poorer.

No mention was made of businesses forced to close due to "security" and the loss of revenue, or of the people forced to stay in hotels because it was too difficult to access their places, or of the near martial law conditions downtown. And don’t get me started on the freeway closures.

As an opposing voice of truth and sanity, Eric Gill’s commentary that ran next to Carlisle’s was correct and right on the money on every point he made ("Oahu residents paid a high price for a bad deal," Island Voices, Nov. 16). Good job telling it like it is, Mr. Gill!

Gary N. Sparks
Waipahu

Public transit decreases traffic

The rail system is a great solution to Oahu’s traffic crisis because it will provide a new means of transportation that doesn’t require the use of roads.

I attend the University of San Francisco, and I frequently use public transportation because it’s convenient, efficient and cheap.

Critics may claim that building a rail transit system will not solve anything and that it’s too costly. However, as Oahu’s population continues to grow, what will happen to the traffic situation?

As a frequent user of public transportation, never once have I had to worry about traffic. Having public transport eliminates the need to own a car. As a result, fewer cars are on the road and the daily congestion decreases.

Reyn Nagamine
Aiea

Drug companies focused on profit

Over the last 30 years, pharmaceutical top managements have changed from physicians and scientists to business and financial people who must defend their numbers to stock analysts quarterly. The number of companies has shrunk drastically through mergers and acquisitions. The drugs in question are not blockbusters or targeted cancer drugs the industry finds so profitable, and their availability suffers benign neglect and low priority.

There are many possible solutions, but all require some form of government regulation. Solutions range from providing government incentives to smaller companies for providing the drugs, all the way to nationalizing their production. What’s lacking is political will.

These things don’t just happen, and if we want solutions, we’re all going to have to try and really understand their source.

The industry isn’t simply greedy. This is just what happens when government cops out.

Ken Rubenstein
Haleiwa

Ho‘opili not about old Hawaii values

In his commentary piece, Dean Okimoto unmasks himself: He’s one of the latest lobbyists for D.R. Horton-Schuler’s so-called "planned" community in Kapolei ("Ho‘opili serves as model for all developers," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Nov. 16).

The project, far from being a model for all developers, is one of the most ill-conceived of developer plans whose end result will be the destruction of the best farm lands left in Hawaii, no matter how one tries to disguise it.

The latest version of the plan now before the LUC is indeed "a myth … one based on falsehood and deceit," to use Kioni Dudley’s words quoted by Mr. Okimoto.

He implies that the plan in its present iteration will turn the clock back to old Hawaii values.

Nice try, Mr. Okimoto, but you should have your clock checked. It is in need of recalibration and probably a new pendulum and a good inspection by a qualified watch repair person.

Jim Anthony
Kaaawa

Andy Rooney was dear to WWII vets

I am a World War II veteran of the Mighty 8th Air Force.

My crew and I flew 30 combat missions in a B-17 Flying Fortress in 1944-45.

When I heard on TV that Andy Rooney had passed at age 92, I broke down like many veterans probably did. Andy was like a big brother to us all.

I still have a tattered issue of the Stars & Stripes newspaper dated Dec. 1, 1944. On the third page is an article by Andy, written in New York about prize fighting. Andy flew, like, six missions in 1943 with the 8th Air Force.

His weekly stint on "60 Minutes" will be missed by all of us from my generation.

Robert McCall
Ewa Beach