Give symphony venue priority

It is great news that the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra will once again take its place as one of Hawaii’s major arts organizations.

Congratulations to the Symphony Exploratory Committee, the musicians and consultants for their hard-headed realism, tenacity and passion.

However, as noted in a recent editorial, it is the city administration’s turn to play its role by making Blaisdell Concert Hall available to the symphony on a first-priority basis (“Help new symphony succeed,” Star-Advertiser, Our View, Feb. 1).

There is nothing wrong with the city trying to maximize revenue in the use of its facilities by visiting professional presenters. But it is wrong to relegate local arts organizations to second priority for time slots. Witness the symphony and “Lion King,” and next December, Ballet Hawaii and “Wicked.”

Negotiations among the city, local arts organizations and potential mainland renters can lead to win-win results. Now it seems to be a zero-sum game, where if one side wins, the other must lose. And that’s not pono.

A casino could help Hawaiians

The Native American casinos on the mainland are prime examples as to why Native Hawaiians should get together and set up at least one casino on Oahu. They are missing a great “bet” by not having such a facility.

Connecticut, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota are good examples on how such establishments further state revenues and yet greatly aid the native peoples.

Even states like Delaware and Pennsylvania, where horse racing is a base for gambling, find casino facilities a good revenue source.

Legislators bend easily on ethics

It’s strange that, in an election year, even the governor thinks it’s OK to bend the rules of the Ethics Commission through House Bill 2457 to be more lenient toward lawmakers and state employees, considering how much influence lobbyists already have on which bills are introduced and passed (“Lawmakers consider easing gift ban,” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 3).

That the Ethics Commission would make a last-minute decision to allow legislators to attend the “Taste of Ag” lobbyist party for the biotech companies reveals who rules the Legislature regarding GMO labeling bills.

We need to support lawmakers who have the fortitude and common sense to reject the rotten fruits of industrial agriculture and other corporate interests that compromise the will and well-being of the people. Kudos to Leslie Kondo, who is trying to do his job.

It is time to vote hypocrites out of office by putting decent people in their place who will not prostitute themselves to corporations.

Teachers will teach to the test

In Hawaii, politicians and others want to pay teachers based on their students’ scores. On the surface this seems reasonable. However, like many problems, this one doesn’t have a simple solution.

Across the nation, even in districts acclaimed for their progress, wholesale cheating has been discovered. When teachers must depend on good scores for a good paycheck, unethical teachers, and teachers in affluent neighborhoods, will be rewarded. Meanwhile teachers who teach students whose families don’t speak English, or don’t support their child’s education, will suffer monetarily.

Of course there are bad teachers. There are also bad policemen, corrupt bureaucrats and legislators in the pockets of campaign donors. These are all problems we must deal with.

Implementing merit pay will force teachers to spend even more time “teaching to the test,” and encourage them to manipulate test scores.

Blame fees on poor leadership

Every time I read a newspaper, new fees are being considered. The latest is a fee increase for parking meters in city parks.

It is obvious that we have failed leadership in government when it comes to managing budgets. What’s next — fees to enter parks and fees to swim in the ocean?

Hawaii residents pay some of the highest fees and taxes in the nation when it comes to electricity, gas, water, sewer and vehicle registration. Maintaining parks and putting plants and trees along freeways for the tourists is fine, but it should not be a fee burden to taxpayers.

Why not require welfare recipients and low-risk inmates in correctional facilities to help maintain parks? Volunteers would help. The cost? Zero.