Bullying has garnered national coverage after recent suicides by young people who suffered torment at the hands of bullies. The state Department of Education has always been concerned about bullying, and has formulated plans to deal with the issue and with the bullies themselves. Actually, it’s a popular educational research topic. According to the Diagnostic [...]
We have so many laws in Hawaii, it’s hard to keep track of them. Some make a lot of sense and some don’t. Many of our more high profile laws deal with owners who are guilty of animal cruelty. It will be interesting to observe how diligent our investigators are in locating the person or [...]
It seems we have a conflict between our new governor and the National Football League’s Pro Bowl, which has been held in Hawaii every year except one since 1980. Why a conflict? It appears that Gov. Neil Abercrombie got carried away while speaking to a group of early-childhood educators, and when the question of setting [...]
Great article in the Star-Advertiser last Wednesday. It’s a very important article for middle-aged people in Hawaii coasting alone, having a good time in paradise, to digest. It’s a topic no one really wants to talk about, and that’s understandable because it’s about how much long-term care costs in Hawaii. I’ve always thought “long term [...]
The words are flying all over the place, but not about our budget shortfall or beleaguered public education system. It appears everyone has a take on President Barack Obama’s birth certificate. Donald Trump has been the most prominent supporter of the “Birther” movement. What’s going on? It’s simple politics and one of the arts of [...]
Gov. Neil Abercrombie got right down to business following his inauguration ceremony. It was a work of art in the world of politics, much like he is. With the lights and cameras flashing and clicking, Native Hawaiians dressed in black and carrying signs of protest, the new governor wearing a pink shirt and necktie, humbly [...]
More than a third of Hawaii public school graduates who enrolled in the University of Hawaii system last year needed remedial instruction in math or English. That’s according to the nonprofit advocate group Hawaii P-20 Partnerships for Education. Its report, called the “College and Career Readiness Indicators,” is an effort to better understand where students [...]
Things are really getting exciting in the square building on South Beretania Street. A change of administration is on the horizon. It’s always exciting to see who ends up where when a change like this occurs, especially on the fifth floor. Gov. Linda Lingle has been in office for eight years. That’s a long time. [...]
It’s going to take a couple of months to sort out all the lessons learned from next Tuesday’s mid-term elections. It appeared from the beginning that the main attraction would be the battle between two very strong Democrat contenders for the office of governor, Mufi Hannemann and Neil Abercrombie – just two candidates pumped more [...]
The voters of Hawaii have an important election coming up, probably the most important one we’ve faced in years. Not only are some key positions up for grabs, there are some earthshaking races for the Board of Education and the constitutional question of whether we should have an appointed or elected school board. This has [...]
