Don’t reward disruptive students

Vicki Owens’ position regarding tolerance for normal rambunctious behavior is valid ("Misconduct rules overdue for review," Star-Advertiser, Letters, May 17), but so is Thomas Stuart’s concern for the interruption to learning by disruptive behavior in the classroom ("Lax discipline will be norm," Star- Advertiser, Letters, May 20).

I have taught at schools on the mainland that have only "in-school" suspensions.

On Oahu, I remember a single parent asking that the high school her son attended stop "rewarding" him with suspensions. He loved staying home all day. She could not take leave from work.

We need to keep the students with "exuberance" in school and their learning continued without interruption.

Students who are purposely acting out in order to be suspended and remain at home should not be given what they want. Keep them temporarily secluded but working on class assignments.

It never fails. They always promise to behave if they’re returned to the classroom.

Kahala Motoyama
Retired special education teacher
Manoa

Police officers meet highest standards

It seems that Sen. Will Espero has decided that he is going to personally attack Honolulu Police Department officers ("Proposals seeking better checks on isle police fall short," Star-Advertiser, May 23).

Espero said, "You only need a GED to be a police officer. Is that a high standard? I certainly don’t think it is."

I would ask if Espero, when he calls 911 for immediate police intervention, asks for the officer with the highest education, or is he relieved when the officer shows up and restrains the criminal?

Maybe the same line of education should apply to our legislators. Should they have high school degrees, maybe even master’s or Ph.D.s to be department chairs, since what they do affects the entire state?

When Espero calls 911, he is receiving the finest service available. The same cannot be said of our legislators.

Earl F. Arakaki
Ewa Beach

Are we becoming servants to the rich?

While attending a company convention in the Bahamas more than 50 years ago I overheard another attendee refer to the hotel service staff as "servants." And not in a nice way. We were shown the conditions under which some of those "servants" lived. They were no more than shanties.

As a transplant to Hawaii more than 52 years ago, I am reminded of the Bahamas, where the rich go to play.

All around us luxury stores, homes and condos are going up. Ala Moana is no longer a place I regularly go to shop. Ward Warehouse is to be replaced by condo towers too costly for the average family to afford. More and more individuals and families are forced to live on the streets.

Many work but still can’t afford a roof over their heads.

People who can afford multiple homes here and abroad have far too much time and obscene amounts of money. They play while their employees labor for a pittance. Is Hawaii to become the playground for the grossly rich and we the "servants"?

Kathie Young
Hawaii Kai

Handi-Van keeps seniors waiting

I have a chemotherapy infusion on Fridays and request a Handi-Van pickup at 2 p.m. Lately I have been told when I will be picked up, no matter what time I request. The Handi-Van is always at least 30 minutes late.

Last Thursday I called for 2 p.m. and was told there was only a 2:40 pickup available. I did call back and an agent who was far more understanding said I would be given a 2 p.m. pickup time.

I finished at 1:30 and went downstairs for pickup, but there was no van at 2 p.m. I called at 2:45, and the agent said the driver was just picking up his van and had to stop at Kuakini first. At 3:30 the van arrived. The driver said he doesn’t even start work until 3 p.m.

It’s a shame that Handi-Van can’t get its scheduling in order so us seniors do not have to wait for hours, especially after a grueling five-hour chemo treatment or other procedures.

Benay Smith
Waikiki

TPP will benefit the working class

President Barack Obama’s efforts to advance the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal overcame a major obstacle when the Senate voted to end debate on the bill, which indicates that its ultimate passage is a foregone conclusion ("Senate hands Obama victory on trade," Star-Advertiser, May 22).

This is a major victory for working-class families. TPP will widen the path of opportunity for economic growth, and the main beneficiaries are the poor and middle-class workers, thus alleviating the issue of income inequality.

Claims by TPP’s opponents (mostly Democrats) that the negotiations are conducted under the cloak of secrecy are untrue, as lawmakers can review the negotiation documents anytime. Further, the TPP agreement will be made public before Congress votes to approve it. They are using the secrecy argument to mask their real intention, which is to sabotage the deal.

The Democratic Party is supposed to be the party of hope and optimism. But the Democrats who voted against the deal have undermined the very causes they support.

Rod B.Catiggay
Mililani