Charter schools can be excellent

John P. Milon presents a persuasive case for charter schools, saying that many parents don’t believe that the state Department of Education can deliver reasonable education ("Charter schools just allow DOE to avoid its responsibility," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, March 26).

However, he proceeds to take his argument through a confusing route to reach the baffling conclusion that charter schools should be eliminated.

Milon is right about the fact that, on the whole, test scores of students at charter schools are no better than those at regular schools.However, it’s not a fair comparison because regular schools receive 50 percent more funding than charters on a per-pupil basis.Still, a number of charters are successful, and their students score high in standardized tests.

Charter schools that are characterized by continuing low performance should be eliminated. However, the state has abdicated its responsibility in this area, so the charters that are failing are allowed to continue.

Successful charter schools offer a worthy alternative in public education.

John Kawamoto
Kaimuki

College graduations a better indicator

High schools always boast about what percentage of their graduates go to college ("More grads are bound for college," Star-Advertiser, March 23).

This is not the statistic that matters.

What matters more is what percentage of their high school graduates actually graduate college — what percentage earn a college degree.

The percentage of students who finish college would be a much truer indicator of whether high schools prepared their students for college. Starting college is one thing; finishing is the real goal.

And if two-thirds of the Hawaii high school graduates who go to college go to the University of Hawaii, this should encourage the Legislature to actually fund UH at a level beyond mere survival.

Dawn Garbeil
Kailua

Homeless at Capitol are an opportunity

Just watched the news today, oh boy. About the homeless who need a place to stay. And though the news was rather sad, I just had to laugh.

The state Capitol has become a refuge for the homeless. The remedy is a proposal to modify the hours that the Capitol is open.It seems the homeless are using the facilities there to keep themselves clean.

For every problem there’s an opportunity. Perhaps this is a chance for state lawmakers to find a solution to Hawaii’s homeless epidemic. They are right there on your doorstep. Talk to them, instead of about them.

Dawn P. Hayashi
Salt Lake

HART needs to be upfront about costs

I applaud state lawmakers for requesting an audit of the rail transit project ("Measure calls for rail audit," Star-Advertiser, March 25).

I am from England and am used to rail as a successful mass-transit alternative. I supported the rail here in Hawaii, but I cannot understand the total lack of responsibility by the rail authority. Why cannot the public know exactly what the financial situation is?

I was a successful businessman all my life and could always say where the money went — how much and to whom it was paid. Your article says that the Hono-lulu Authority for Rapid Transportation cannot tell exactly where the money went in some areas. Does that not mean they are hiding something from the public?

Enough is enough. Be honest and upfront and let the public and legislators know.

Toby Allen
Hawaii Kai

Light rail would make more sense

Many letter writers act as if there are only twooptions to deal with the massive cost overrun for Oahu’s heavy-rail project: pay the massive cost overrun or abandon the project and write offthe loss.

However, there is a viable third option: Convert to lightrail (streetcars) now using what has been built for the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transporta-tion.

As the formerattorney for Stop Rail Now when the project was adopted all those yearsago, it was no real secret that the cost sold to the public then was ridiculously understated, and it was questionable if the project would everget enough riders.

It is time to stop the pretending and convert to lightrail.Light rail would be a fraction of the present projected cost, andMililani and Wahiawa could be included with west Oahu while still savingmoney.

Light rail could have special express routes and serve a majorityof people on Oahu.

Earle A. Partington
Makakilo

Many homeless just need to reach out

I’m always hearing a lot about the homeless.

It’s not an external issue. I really do believe the solution for the homeless population is something internal.

I have faith that once one is willing to get help for his or her need — reaching out to get support and engaging in groups — then the percentage of homeless will drop.

Michelle Rivera
Kaneohe

Pot’s drug status should be changed

Froma Harrop should give more credit to the Rand Paul, R-Ky., Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Cory Booker, D-N.J., bill ("Half a heart on marijuana better than no heart at all," Star-Advertiser, March 21).

Reducing cannabis (marijuana) from its current discredited classification as a Schedule I substance alongside heroin will allow a chain reaction of credible drug law reform, all by itself.

Like the original experiment with alcohol prohibition, the sequel has been not only a failure; it’s one of America’s worst policy failures.

Cannabis prohibition has been reinforced by lies, half-truths and propaganda, perhaps none worse than the Schedule I lie. America cannot move forward without fixing that blatant injustice.

Stan White
Dillon, Colo.