ATTENTION TO FLAWED STUDY IS A DISSERVICE

The Honolulu Advertiser does a disservice by giving such prominent coverage to Education Week's flawed study on graduation rates. The report relies on estimates to conclude that only 63.9 percent of Hawai'i's class of 2006 graduated on time. The correct figure is 79.2 percent, according to a Department of Education system that tracks individual students throughout high school.

By giving credibility to an inaccurate report, The Advertiser sends the wrong message to educators who are working hard to ensure all students graduate on time.

Hoping to put an end to the various graduation figures reported by states nationwide, the federal government has mandated all school districts to determine graduation rates using the same formula.

The rules mirror Hawai'i's methodology, proving that the state's calculation is on target.

Maggie Cox | Member, state Board of Education

KAKA'AKO

PROBLEM IS HCDA, TIES WITH DEVELOPERS

Mr. Ho (Letters, June 15) and Ms. Wong (Island Voices, June 16) have some valid points. However, there are many aspects of Kaka'ako re-development about which they are way off base.

The main problem now, and always has been, is the HCDA and its cozy relationship with developers who maintain that they cannot "make any money" without building luxury condominium apartments and who are allowed to evade the requirement to provide "affordable" housing.

We are also fighting a perception that "affordable" housing equals "low income" housing, when "affordable" housing means that it is supposed to be within the reach of regular families, like teachers, firemen, police, construction workers or any other of us who make Hono-lulu work. Why should we be banished to the 'Ewa plain so that Kaka'ako can be filled with apartments for retired empty nesters and Mainland and other offshore buyers?

We should follow Maui's lead and mandate 50 percent affordable housing and strictly ensure that the affordable units are in Kaka'ako, not somewhere else.

Lastly, the Moana Vista project is not an "affordable housing" project. It has been a victim of the downturn in the economy and is temporarily on hold for entirely different reasons.

Jack Arnest | Kaimuki

WAIKIKI PARKING

LOCAL FAMILIES WILL NOW PAY A RANSOM

The disenfranchised families of O'ahu lost a friend on June 9 when Duke Bainum passed away. Sadly, a key city service died the next day when amended Bill 25 passed.

The City Council and Mayor Mufi Hannemann only saw numbers on a budget sheet with Bill 25. The issue was low-cost access to Waikiki recreational areas by local families. The council could not understand the public rage over this rather minor budget item.

The mayor and council only saw Bill 25 as "bringing into budgetary line" the meters that had mysteriously not increased for 30 years.

No change for good reason! The city provided "a service" to Hawai'i's poor families so they could relax in Waikiki without being charged an entry fee like to some private recreation park. In memory of Duke Bainum, we thank Councilmen Djou and Dela Cruz.

For the councilmen and mayor who have future political ambitions, the public knows where your heart is — folded away in your pocketbooks rather than with the will of the people.

John and Rita Shockley | Kapolei

AKAKA BILL

EXCLUSION WASN'T KALAKAUA'S WAY

Our Hawaiian culture places great importance — and rightly so — on the concept of pono, meaning upright, fair and proper.

Yet what is pono about a reorganized Hawaiian government that seeks to exclude the descendants of royal subjects who were naturalized, foreign-born?

Is it the belief of the authors of the Akaka bill that King Kalakaua had it all wrong when he decreed that naturalized citizens "shall be entitled to all the rights, privileges and immunities of a Hawaiian subject"?

And what of the "keiki o ka 'aina" — born and raised in Hawai'i, but of immigrant ancestry? Are they not de facto naturalized citizens?

It was clear in the days of Kalakaua that all of the citizens of Hawai'i were Hawaiian, irrespective of race! In its proposed new government, the Akaka bill would allow only those who qualify as "aboriginal, indigenous" while excluding all others. Coincidence of birth should not entitle me or anyone else to rights and privileges unavailable to those who embrace the beauty and culture of Hawai'i, but do not meet a dubious blood quantum standard.

William H. D. King | Kula, Maui

JOIN OUR TEEN EDITORIAL BOARD

From the quality of our schools to the economy to politics to Hawai'i's job market: When it comes to these issues and more, there's no shortage of opinions among our high school students.

The Advertiser is looking for its next Teen Editorial Board — a top-notch team of high school students who want to learn firsthand how their opinions can make a difference.

The Teen Editorial Board meets monthly to offer its views on key issues and news of the day throughout the 2009-10 school year.

Our Teen Editorial Board meets with Hawai'i's key decision-makers, with the mission of making a difference through civic engagement.

To apply, send us an e-mail with your name, phone number, address, age, the name of your school, and a paragraph on why you would like to be on the board. It's competitive, so apply promptly.

Send your e-mail to our editorial assistant, Stacy Berry, at sberry@honoluluadvertiser .com, or call us at 535-2414.

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY EDITORIAL BOARD

What's needed to improve our public schools? Will Honolulu's rail-transit system be a success? What's happening with affordable housing in Hawai'i?

These are just some of the issues members of The Advertiser's Community Editorial Boards have addressed in meetings with our editorial staff.

Is it your turn? We're looking for our next slate of board members willing to offer their insight on local issues and news of the day.

As a community board member, you'll meet with our in-house editorial board once a week for eight weeks during the summer to share perspectives and discuss editorial topics. And you'll also meet some of Hawai'i's key decision-makers.

If you're interested in serving on The Advertiser's Community Editorial Board now or in the future, we'd like to hear from you.

Tell us about yourself in a few sentences, including your occupation and interests.

Send it along with name, phone number, home address and e-mail address to our editorial page assistant, Stacy Berry at sberry@honoluluadver tiser.com; by fax to 535-2415.

So, let us hear from you — your opinion matters.