Readers Write

Friday, May 10, 1996

Hawaii should decide own favorite 'pastime'

A thousand fans watch a UH baseball game, while more than 10,000 pack the nearby sports arena to watch volleyball.

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

Volleyball fan awaits more 'Rainbow Magic'

Everyone holds their own definition of the word "victory." For the UH men's volleyball team, victory meant clinching the 1996 NCAA Championship. Although they came up one game short of the title, in our hearts they are the real heroes of that emotional sport called volleyball.

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

MPSF leaders accused of anti-semitism in vote

How can we dare to accuse the leadership of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation of anti-foreigner bias (for not choosing Hawaii's Yuval Katz as league MVP)? Casual observation indicates that the coaches are mostly reasonable, All-American WASPs.

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

Volleyball message: 'Hava Nagila,' dudes!

To the V-ball team that could: "Hava Nagila," dudes!

RICHARD WILL

Jim Leahey fan calls for support for broadcaster

Mike Fitzgerald (4/26) is absolutely correct: sports fans in Hawaii owe a lot to Jim Leahey. For his work to broaden television coverage to include more UH sports events. For his knowledgeable and objective play-by-play announcing. For his enthusiasm for the game no matter what the game.

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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