This university debate coach insists his students prepare arguments on both sides of every issue. By doing so, they become less quick to attack others for their beliefs.
Sterling Higa
Sterling Higa is a teacher and writer from Honolulu. Find his work at sterlinghiga.com.
Sterling's opinions are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Civil Beat.
Calling For A Constitutional Convention
Our current constitution is nearly 40 years old. It could not have predicted the issues our state faces today, and it restricts our ability to respond.
Debate Hawaii: No More Money For Honolulu Rail
Why lawmakers should oppose raising or extending the GET to pay for the Honolulu rail project.
Civil Debate: Pesticide Buffer Zones, Promoting Public Health
Do buffers represent the right policy to protect students against pesticides? That’s one dimension of a bigger debate set for Friday.
Sustaining Democracy Requires Civic Education
The lack of clear-eyed civic education threatens to create a nation of malcontents, ill prepared to participate in the institutions of our democracy.
A Model In Self Governance From A Charter Middle School
The School for Examining Essential Questions of Sustainability uses a town hall model where students, teachers and administrators make binding decisions.
Proposal to Cut UH Programs Illustrates Misunderstanding
There are opportunities to achieve efficiencies, but a legislator’s attempt to cut small programs was ham-handed.
Debating the Role of the Inouye Center at the University of Hawaii
U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye engaged in a vibrant civic debate in Hawaii and beyond during his life. We should do the same in his honor.
Debate Is Crucial to Overcome the Private-Public School Divide
A product of public schools ponders what his work sharpening Punahou students’ speaking skills means for those left behind.
