Basketball Bows deserve
bigger audience in stands

The UH men's and women's basketball programs are in the midst of accomplishing one of their most successful years in school history. Despite that, these two fine teams have not played once before a sold-out home crowd at the Special Events Arena.

While the men's team has racked up a stunning 19-5 record, local game attendance has been averaging a mediocre 65 percent. What do Coach Riley and the Bows have to do to put more okoles in arena seats? They've already shown they're as good as anyone by winning all of their conference games at home, not to mention nationally ranked New Mexico.

They've even dispelled their infamous road game syndrome by winning five of seven conference games away.

Considering the amount of adversity the Bows have gone through - with the loss of four players, a near-fatal bus accident and the absence of any national coverage during the regular WAC season - you have to admire their determination to succeed.

Roger Morikawa
Kaneohe
(Via the Internet)

Hey, who said it will be
Lingle vs. Cayetano in '98?

Your Feb. 15 article on the potential gubernatorial candidacy of Maui Mayor Linda Crockett Lingle included an unmentioned assumption. Your writer - without thinking or perhaps as a sign of the Star-Bulletin's editorial favoritism - referred to Lingle as the candidate who will run against Gov. Ben Cayetano.

In 1998, there will be primary elections in both the Democratic and Republican parties. If Lingle were to win the GOP primary, she would face the Democratic nominee.

For many voters looking forward to '98, there is hope that Lingle may face a candidate other than Cayetano in the general election.

Without naming names, I think even your editorial writers know to whom I am referring.

Ikaika Valdez
Pearl City
(Via the Internet)

AG should void contract
with mainland book buyer

If state librarian Bart Kane cannot admit that the contract he was permitted to make with Baker & Taylor was poorly written (Feb. 15, "Kane calls book selecting system model for the future"), he should be fired as head of our Hawaii public libraries.

From what was stated by our government leaders, adequate performance requirements were not written into the contract.

Based on the type of books delivered to our libraries in the past six months, it appears that the contract is one sided, heavily benefiting Baker & Taylor. One cannot consider cheap or duplicate unused books to be a fair consideration when they do not benefit the public.

If the contract with Baker & Taylor is against the best interests of the people, especially our students, then the state attorney general's office should ask the court to void the contract.

Wilbert W.W. Wong

Paper's online edition
'Nets yet another reader

While on the 'Net this evening, I took a look at your web site, starbulletin.com. It is an extremely useful source for local news and information. The H-1 video-cam link (via Home on the Web) is a good example of helpful data that is only a mouse-click away.

As an Internet trainer here in Honolulu, I am always looking for sites that are of interest and which will benefit my clients. I am sure I will visit again.

Jeff Dunan
(Via the Internet)

Don't ever be ashamed
of being a Punahou grad

I empathize with the Star-Bulletin's Gordon Pang (Feb. 15, My Turn), but I am disappointed that he was "embarrassed to admit" that he graduated from Punahou. It is one of the finest educational institutions not only in Hawaii, but anywhere. Honolulu is fortunate to have such a valuable asset.

Both my parents worked hard - often 16-hour days - to send me through Punahou. I was a "latch-key kid" before there was such a term, but they wanted the best education for me so I might achieve beyond what they had.

Now my wife and I both work long hours to send our son to Punahou. Most alumni and student body parents can tell you a similar story. All the people of Hawaii understand what it is to sacrifice so that the next generation might go beyond the boundaries of the previous. Every parent wants the best for their children.

So, Gordon: No shame, brah! Hold your head up when you say those words, because Punahou alumni are leading the way in trying to make Hawaii a better community for all.

James Jones
Punahou School, Class of '70

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