D.O.E. All Spent

Due to limited funds within the Department of Education, the institution canceled after school tutoring, made less hours for Professional Part Time Teachers, and started furlough Fridays. In the past, DOE implemented school programs such as early morning care and A+ to assist local residents in before and after school child care. However, this year alone has seen the most furlough days and budget cuts the state has ever seen. Hawaii ranked 48 out of 50 states in student achievement scores, ultimately revealing that public school education may not be a top priority in Hawaii.

After Governor Lingle issued the budget cuts of nearly 500 million dollars, results have been increasing furlough days and school consolidations. These are only some of the threatening realities Hawaii's education system is currently facing. The majority of non-certified teachers are the first to be let go as they are easily replaced. Therefore Part-time Teachers (Hawaiian, Music, Art, PE etc,) face the second wave of cuts.

Federal funding for Special Education Services are still going strong by keeping their recommended minutes such as physical, occupational and speech therapy. Parents also receive training on how to cope with DOE administration’s inconsistencies such as misappropriation of funds and school days lost from budget cuts. My roommate is currently on Department Directed Leave with pay till the end of the school year due to a minor allegation. His main concern is how can they afford to pay a substitute teacher AND him when the state is facing tough economic times? What about the children? This example shows a glitch in the education system and improper procedures at the state level.

http://doe.k12.hi.us/news/furlough/index.htm

Just Like That

After a little over a year of selling high-end lighting to snooty customers with deep pockets, I was asked on the spot to leave the Honolulu Design Center. "No problem!" I exclaimed. It is surprising they kept me there as long as they did. Their reason for termination was the company's downward spiral of sales and the waning economy. I always questioned how they would make a profit with an over-stocked, outrageously plush, 50 million dollar building to account for and maintain. It was pointless why they hired me seeming only a handful of customers would come in a day on average. Business would be so slow it got me through many classes until they cracked down on employee Internet use. I will only miss the sound system I wrote about. There were no hard feelings in the end, though it's ironic it occurred on such an already eventful day in history (4/20); Hitler's birthday, Columbine massacre, National Marijuana Day, Guru's death (today), and now, getting canned in 2010. Every 4/20 gets crazier and crazier.

Spring Break Makapuu style

Sunday was a nice, sunny day out at Makapuu beach. It was the day after the official start of Spring, so the great weather brought out enough people to fill the water and much of the sand. While sun bathers caught rays, body surfers and boarders like myself got to catch fun waves in 1-2, occasional 3 footers (dodging nasty shore breaks) with a steady flow of sets constantly rolling in. The water had a lot of seaweed, which is way better to have than Portuguese man-of-wars, but felt similar so it was freaky at first. Para-gliders were in effect as usual, this time gliding directly overhead, and one female got swept out pretty far by the current that had everyone looking. She managed to come back in by herself, wheeew!

I was trying to get a tan and of course got burned, but that's all a part of the fun too. Going to Makapuu was a great way to start off Spring break AND birthday week (3-23).

Well,time to Partay!

Stuck on Prius

A man drives down a San Diego highway and somehow his accelerator gets stuck to the floor of his Prius. Of course he freaks out, calling the police. They help the man slow down to 50 mph while instructing him to slam the brakes and emergency brake at the same time (a good tip-in case that ever happens to anyone reading this).
Toyota Prius had a recall of vehicles in the recent past for having accelerator problems.

That is the epitome of a scary driving experience. Hopefully Toyota gives the model proper repairs so that no one ridicules the "green" automobile.

And yes to Boo, Prius are ugly. I hope that new electric car takes off and creates a cleaner world for everyone in the future-without defects.

source:http://att.cnn.mlogic.mobi/cnn/It_ne/It_ne/detail/466635/2