You Make The Call
Friday, May 10, 1996
Friday, May 10, 1996
Harold Nakasone, Waikiki: "I think he should continue to coach for as long as he wants to. He started this program from scratch, from absolutely nothing to what it is today. How can anyone even question whether he should continue or not? I know he made a lot of sacrifices along the way. People sure have short memories."
Garrett Morris, Haleiwa: "I think Les Murakami shouldn't be the coach anymore, but I know they're not going to get rid of him because he's Japanese. Rainbow football and basketball coaches are always under fire, but for baseball they never say anything. I guess he could lose every game and still be the coach."
Gordon Mark, Pawaa: "Les Murakami should continue. He's done a lot for UH baseball, including helping with the new stadium."
Kevin Kawamura, Kahului: "I really like coach Les Murakami. But in fairness to Bob Wagner being fired due to low attendance, then Hugh Yoshida must consider doing the same in Murakami's case. They've been cellar dwellers of the WAC for four years."
Ronald Imai, Honolulu: "I think 26 years is a little too long. A lot of the opposing teams that play here in Hawaii know that Murakami will play for the bunt or the hit and run."
Nancy Higa, Kailua: "I say yes, I think he still has it in him to carry us through. I believe he's doing a good job."
Larry Soares, Waianae: "It's time that Les Murakami move on, and his staff be replaced. It would be for the better of the program."
Ann Schwab, Makiki: "The very first reason that Les should not remain is that the fans will not return until he and his sidekick Carl Furutani are gone. The fans want to see some enthusiasm, some new ideas and some vitality put back into the program. He's old."
Fred Tam, Chinatown: "I think Les Murakami should take a long vacation. His days are numbered. He should let some young coach have a chance, because the baseball team is becoming like the football team."
Charles Schwab, Makiki: "It's not just changing Les. You've got to change everyone. They all have the same opinion, and it's just not good. Another thing is that he almost never takes the blame. He just doesn't know what's going on, and he won't back up the players. I've seen a player hit a home run and he turns his back on him as he rounds third base. This is no way for a coach or anyone else to act."
Richard Muramoto, Honolulu: "I think he should stay. He's done a lot for the university and the state."
Francis Kuahine, Kalihi: "If Bob Wagner got fired, so should Les Murakami. Is Les related to Hugh Yoshida?"
Dennis Yoshimura, Kaimuki: "He's had his chances, and the public is getting tired. He's not bringing the people in anymore. Look what happened to Bob Wagner. I feel sorry for him, but he's got to wake up and smell the coffee and retire."
Brad Choy, Mililani: "He should remain. He's got a good record, and you can't just toss him away like old newspapers.
Norman Kunishima, Waikiki: "What is so good about our coach? After a long silence I still can't think of anything good."
Roy Lee, Kaneohe: "He should continue, provided he hire white and black assistant coaches to recruit on the mainland."
Darrell Orot, Waianae: "He should be replaced. The past few years they've been ruining pitchers' arms. Recruiting's been terrible. They need a new coach."
Sam Kapahua, Waipahu: "Let Murakami continue as head coach. When he gets tired directing traffic at third base, he'll retire."
Charles Gill, Kailua: "I believe he's lost all enthusiasm for coaching, or appears to have. Maybe it's a good time to step aside and let a new coach come in."
Bill Ishikawa, Salt Lake: "With the stadium he has, Murakami has a big advantage in recruiting mainland players, yet he never gets the blue chip prospects. A coach with more charisma and style might get these athletes."
John Lee, Aiea: "It's a very political situation, but I'm glad to see some heat being put on. For years, I've felt his time is past.
Mark Mayaso, Aiea: "He's a friend to me. Without him, the team would be a total disaster."
Darrell Bactad, Hawaii Kai: "Don't get me wrong - Les Murakami is a Hawaii baseball legend. But these days you need enthusiasm and excitement to recruit raw talent from Hawaii and the mainland. And Les Murakami doesn't have these qualities."
John Young, Palama: "Murakami should resign or be fired. It's time for a change."
Wayne Kim, Waipahu: "I'd like him to stay. I've been following him since I was a baby, and I want to play for him some day."
Larry Matsumoto, Ewa Beach: "He made a top-notch program and has a big reputation around the nation. He should stay."
Dawn Murakami, Waikele: "He should stay. They're getting some good recruits next year."
Baseball may be the national pastime for the United States, but not for Hawaii nei. And football might still draw huge crowds to mainland university ballfields, but not in Hawaii nei. We not only produce the best volleyball teams in the country, but we lead the nation in volleyball attendance as well.
Why is it so difficult for some to understand and accept? Just because the professional football, basketball and baseball leagues are still popular on the mainland, that doesn't mean we need to try to emulate mainland likes and dislikes. Sometimes it seems we are beating a dead horse, just because mainland writers continue to tell us that these are the "national pastimes," the sports we should be enjoying most - if we want to be like them.
Perhaps UH should cut back those sports (football, baseball and even basketball) to good intramural programs, and concentrate on what Hawaii fans want. It is quite clear to many of us that volleyball (women's and men's) is a favorite sport in our island home. Canoe races often draw bigger crowds than UH baseball. And a sumo exhibition outdrew most UH athletic events of the year.
Why try to copy what the mainland folks like and do, when we can beat them at "our" own game and make money doing it?
We could save millions and use that money for academic programs at the UH. And there's nothing wrong with leading the nation in volleyball and academics!
Me ka pono,
KEITH HAUGEN
To me, victory means giving 110%, always. And that's exactly what the Rainbows did on Saturday. They stepped onto the court with fire in their eyes and gave everything they had in their hearts. Even though they didn't get their championship rings, they certainly earned the appreciation and respect of Hawaii. Despite the heartbreaking finish, we're still proud of you and everything you accomplished this season.
We're going to miss you seniors, thank you for carrying the boys so far. And Yuval Katz, we hope you've got at least one more season left in you. You've not only fallen in love with Hawaii, but Hawaii fans have fallen in love with you.
Right now, the only direction to look is ahead and toward the future. We are already looking forward to yet another season of "Rainbow Magic."
EVIE JOY KANNO
Their rejection of Yuval Katz was nothing more than innocuous anti-Semitism. Did these brilliant leaders sign their ballots with their usual "X", or did they use the swastika instead? Heil MPSF!
GEORGE I. NAKAMURA
RICHARD WILL
I think Leahey's enthusiasm, even after all these years, is fueled by his respect for athletes. He himself is a former jock. He played catcher, the thinking man's position in the thinking man's sport. So he knows what athletes go through: practice, sacrifice, practice, pain, practice - win, or lose.
Now Leahey may be excluded from broadcasting UH sports. And because local people are a stoic bunch, their reaction will be, "Eh, es da breaks." But that won't do, folks.
Take pen in hand and write a letter to show your support for "the legend," Jim Leahey. It will cost you only a couple of minutes and a 32-cent stamp, to continue to enjoy UH sports, wherever you are on these beautiful islands of Hawaii.
Fitzgerald always has to mess up. I can hear Leahey: "What legend? I'm not that old and I ain't done yet!" No, you're not, Jim - not with some help from your fans.
ALVIN NAKAMURA
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