Kang brothers seek more time

As the Kang family’s attorney, I believe a few clarifications are in order, as many people see the Kangs’ situation in a false dichotomy of legal or illegal ("Family fights disabled son’s deportation," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 4).

Under federal immigration law, the Kang brothers could legally obtain their permanent residency status through their father. Unfortunately, the Kang brothers became ineligible to adjust to permanent residency status as children, because while they waited for their paperwork to be processed, they passed the age of 21.

The Kang brothers are not asking to be rewarded for illegal behavior. They are not asking for special legislation nor special amnesty. They only ask that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security apply another part of immigration law that allows the government to hold off on immediate prosecution, as eventually the Kang brothers will lawfully obtain their permanent residency status 

Aiona honest about flu shots

Lee Cataluna stopped just short of calling Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona a liar because he advocated flu shots but didn’t get them himself ("Aiona’s U-turn on flu shots smacks of political hypocrisy," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 5). If you were to see Duke Aiona in person, you would see he is a specimen of good health. So if he, like myself, is healthy enough to fend off the flu naturally and had never gotten the flu shot or the flu for the last 25 years — but wants people who may be unhealthy to get one so they don’t spread the flu to others — is that grounds to jump all over him?

Aiona off-base about rights

Isn’t it interesting that Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona wants us to vote on giving equal rights to same-sex couples, but he doesn’t want us to vote on extending special rights, with the Akaka bill, to native Hawaiians?

Maybe that’s one of the reasons why people like Lee Cataluna say his actions "smack of political hypocrisy."

Perhaps Aiona doesn’t understand that civil liberties apply to all and are not subject to majority vote. That’s why they’re called rights. 

Go back to K-6 schools

With amazement I read about the multitrack schools having fewer instruction days than regular middle schools ("Law snarls schedules for crowded campuses," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 6).

Why would parents put up with their children getting shortchanged on a necessary education just because a community does not have enough classrooms?

Most elementary schools have grades K-6. Just revert back to the norm.

Djou ad unfair, misleading

Charles Djou’s attempt to mislead Hawaii’s voters into believing that Colleen Hanabusa doesn’t believe there’s government waste was both blatantly deceptive and a poor reflection of his character. ("Djou accused of using quote out of context," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 5).

Let’s debate the real issues and stop being dishonest with the public. 

‘Askable’ parents can help cut unintended pregnancies

The high rates of unintended pregnancy in Hawaii and the rates of women participating in risky behaviors during pregnancy are alarming ("Risks shroud births in isles," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 5). This is just the latest of many indicators that Hawaii’s young people need help protecting their sexual and reproductive health.

Earlier this year, the Hawaii Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that less than half of Hawaii’s sexually active teens were using condoms, ranking us last in the nation. Hawaii also has the 17th highest teen pregnancy rate, and the eighth highest rate of chlamydia, with most of these infections occurring among youth.

As a state, communities and families we must do better. Our young people deserve comprehensive and accurate sexual health education. Only through honest, age-appropriate information can we help our young people make healthy decisions today and later in life.

October is National Let’s Talk Month. We encourage parents to have open conversations about sexual health with their children. Being an ‘askable’ parent is essential to helping your child become a healthy adult.