DOGS SHOULD SEARCH SCHOOL LOCKERS
 
Who are these jerks claiming privacy violations for having dogs sniff lockers at schools. What kind of idiots are these people? They couldn’t be parents! They have to be peddlers of that horrible drug called “ice.”  

Don’t we realize that children as young as 11 and 12 years old are already addicted to this menace on society? Get real, folks!

Protect our children and yell in your approval for random searches with the dogs. It’s the best thing we have going right now.  

GORDON C. COCKETT, Lahaina

COMMUNITY SUPPORT IS OVERWHELMING

As the 2008-09 school year closes, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all who supported the “Safe Crossing Zone” efforts at the Lahainaluna and Kuialua Road intersection for our children and West Side residents.

For the past two months, Sergeant Ricky Uedoi, Officer Brandon Koyama and Officer Scott Perry have helped our children safely cross the intersection as well as direct traffic for the motorists exiting and entering this dangerous intersection during peak school hours. Having these three men here has given us all a sense of safety and security, as well as an awareness of how important it is to slow down, pay attention and work together as a community to make our residents and children feel safe. As for myself and my neighbors, we cannot thank you enough — we truly appreciate all your hard work and dedication!

Big mahalos go out to Principal Kaipo Miller of Princess Nahi‘ena‘ena School and his faculty and staff, Principal Marsha Nakamura of Lahaina Intermediate School and her faculty and staff, and Principal Michael Nakano of Lahainaluna High School with his faculty and staff.

Thanks to County Councilwoman Jo Anne Johnson; Representative Angus McKelvey; Mayor Charmaine Tavares; Brennon Morioka, Ed Sniffen and Charlene Shibuya of the state Department of Transportation; Robin Clark and family; Desiree Kaniho and family; Amy Cabingas and the Puamana Association; Stacey Shibao and staff/members of the West Maui Senior Center; May Fujiwara, Leilani Pulmano and members of Lahaina Bypass Now; Zeke Kalua of West Maui Taxpayers Association; Julie Sadang; Tommay Harbottle; Bob and Diane Pure and countless others who tirelessly and effortlessly helped support this issue.

With the continued support of our community, I hope to continue to obtain more safety measures at this intersection to assure that our children and residents stay safe as more and more children attend these awesome and unique schools.

Thank you again for all your help and support. My family and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

LISA CABINGAS & FAMILY, Lahaina

STERILIZE YOUR PETS

The staggering amount of deaths at the animal shelter each year seems to take the “humane” right out of Maui Humane Society. Unfortunately,
this will never change unless we, as a community, change the cycle of how we deal with Maui’s cats.

There are too many cats that are euthanized each year. Over 3,000 cats get put down every year at the Maui Humane Society, according to some
sources. This is because the shelter receives more cats than the amount adopted out.

There are also too many non-sterilized cats on Maui. These cats have babies, and then they have babies, which makes the shelter not have enough room available. One mother and all her babies, and their babies (and so on), could be responsible for 73,000 cats within six years!

Shelters try to prevent this by having adoptive pet owners sign a contract promising that they will come back to neuter/spay their pets, but even then, 10-50 percent of people don’t follow through.

Even though people say it’s expensive to neuter/spay cats, by not dealing with this problem now, the problem just snowballs. The amount of deaths is a higher cost.

A solution to this problem would be to have pet owners sterilize their pets. Also, the animal shelter should rethink its policy on adopting out cats that aren’t sterilized, because studies show that kittens can be spayed/neutered as early as six weeks old with no negative affects.

Fewer cats will equal fewer deaths.

The overpopulation of cats on Maui will only get worse unless we, as a community, fix this problem.

KAILEY SAGER, Seventh-grader, Lahaina Intermediate School

BAN SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES

Have you ever been out with friends and smelled cigarette smoke? It stinks and it is bad for your health. Smoking should be illegal in all public areas.

Most people agree cigarettes stink. It is also a danger to your health. Laws have been passed in 23 states banning the use of cigarettes in most public areas, but not all. The law has been a help, but it has not stopped smokers from smoking.

First, if smoking is illegal in all public areas, it would keep streets and parks free of the smelly smoke. No one likes the stench of the smoke. I should know — I have family who smoke.

Another reason is second-hand smoke. The no smoking law will keep our public free of the smoke. Second-hand smoke has been known to cause cancer and 50,000 nonsmoker deaths a year, and it is just as bad as cigarettes, which contain hundreds of toxins.

I know some people may object, but think about it. A clean, smoke-free city. No second-hand smoke polluting the lungs of our youth, and fewer deaths every year.

The solution? Ban smoking. It still would be legal to smoke at home. And smokers could still smoke in the designated smoke areas away from others.

So please hear me out. This is an issue to be solved. We can do it. Smokers, please smoke at home. Do not do it in public. Think about it next time you flick your lighter.

ANTHONY SALVADOR JR., Seventh-grader, Lahaina Intermediate School

PRACTICE TOLERANCE

Within America we have many problems. Our economy is bad and we are dealing with the war. But there is one problem we have always been dealing with: intolerance. How come after many years of conflict, we still cannot respect a person who is not our vision of normal?

There are countless reasons why tolerance is important, but one of my main reasons is that America is based on equality. If you act like you love your country, wouldn’t you follow the Constitution, which states, “All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

However, some think, “I am just joking; who can it hurt?” When you do make fun of people, it hurts them. It does not matter if it is because of looks or beliefs — it is wrong. People who do have tolerance issues should really think before they talk. Do they want to be treated that way?

Instead of complaining about this, we need to take action. We have to make this generation tolerant. To do this, we should make punishments more severe at school for intolerance. Video games and television also imply that it is fine to act like that. So ratings should be stricter. So if we can do that, it may get better.

So, in conclusion, we need to be tolerant. If you know someone who is like this, you need to let them know they need to show respect. Since we are going through such hard times, we need something as simple as tolerance, so please work to get it.

KIRSTEN GILCHRIST, Seventh-grader, Lahaina Intermediate School

MAHALO FROM THE LIS PTSA

Thanks to the generous support of local organizations, the Lahaina Intermediate School PTSA was able to show our teachers and staff how much they are truly appreciated for all the hard work they do each day educating our children.

The week started off with a continental breakfast on Monday, followed up with candy treats and “Apple for the Teacher Day,” and ended with a fabulous luncheon on Friday that included door prizes.

Mahalo to the following businesses that donated food and/or gift certificates for Staff Appreciation Week: Aloha Mixed Plate, The Bakery, CJ’s Deli & Diner, Cilantro Mexican Grill, David’s Happy Nails, Gazebo Restaurant, Kaanapali Beach Hotel, Lahaina Farms, The Melting Pot, Royal Lahaina Resort, Roy’s Kahana Bar & Grill, Office Max, and Safeway.

We understand the current economic difficulties facing businesses right now and are extremely grateful for the support you have shown our school. Our Staff Appreciation Week events would not have been possible without you.

LAHAINA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL PTSA 

SCHOOL APPRECIATES GENEROUS DONATIONS

On behalf of the King Kamehameha III School PTA, we would like to extend our thanks to you for your generous donations to our Staff Appreciation Week.

With your support, the PTA was able to serve much-appreciated continental breakfast and a delicious lunch to all staff members at King Kamehameha III School, along with small appreciation gifts during this year’s Staff Appreciation Week.

The teachers and staff of King Kamehameha III School always look forward to the prizes so kindly donated by our community, and it is usually the highlight of the celebration. Your donations added to the excitement and fun of this year’s event.

We would like to thank you to the following businesses for their donations: Leilani’s on the Beach for the yummy food donations for the luncheon, and the gift certificates from ‘Ulalena and Ruth’s Chris Steak House.

Both the PTA and staff at King Kamehameha III are very grateful for all the donations — especially during these hard economic times — and send warmest aloha to you all.

Best wishes to you, and thank you again for your generosity.

SONGJA MISKE, King Kamehameha III PTA President