School buses School buses ADVERTISING Why so stingy? Public education in Hawaii already has a pitiful reputation. To add to the inadequacy the Department of Education is reluctant to provide transportation for the pupils, so those in the direst need
School buses
Why so stingy?
Public education in Hawaii already has a pitiful reputation. To add to the inadequacy the Department of Education is reluctant to provide transportation for the pupils, so those in the direst need of public education are challenged just to get to a classroom safely and economically.
It is in everyone’s interest to educate the young. The long-term benefits just in reducing crime and prison population are sufficient justification. No, I don’t want to hear the I-don’t-have-children argument. You pay now for the education you got as a child.
Why is Department of Education so stingy with school buses? There is no safer way to get the pupils to the classroom, unless they live next door. Having family members drive kids to school is a traffic nightmare that put pupils walking the last mile to school needlessly at risk and it’s environmentally stupid.
Ken Obenski
Kaohe
Internet sales
A plea for more taxes
As a locally owned retailer, I support passage of a bill pending in the Hawaii Legislature to help end the unfair advantage that Internet retailers have over local brick and mortar stores. The Bill (SB-2226), currently in conference committee, will ensure online retailers pay the same excise taxes that local retailers pay. Local businesses are the backbone of our community and economy. However, because of outdated tax laws, Internet retailers, like Amazon.com, have an unfair advantage over brick-and-mortar businesses in Hawaii. Amazon pays no general excise tax for the business it conducts in Hawaii. We, and other local business, pay these taxes. Huge Internet retailers like Amazon are being given a free ride while local businesses are saddled with an unfair burden. Please urge your state senator and representative to pass this tax equity bill and remember to shop at local businesses whenever you can.
Joy Vogelgesang
Co-Owner
Kona Stories
