Journalism department still has the write stuff
The Star-Bulletin's Feb. 9 headline and story, "Journalism department at UH found lacking," implied that our national accrediting council is so concerned with the UH Department of Journalism that it is granting only provisional accreditation.Actually, the accreditation site visit team was highly complimentary and supportive of the department's work, declaring it to be on par with the best programs in the nation.
The concern expressed was for the future of the department, namely the commitment of the UH to maintain the faculty positions and administrative structure that would ensure the continuation of this nationally recognized program.
The department remains fully accredited during the year that the university administration has to correct the problems.
Lowell Frazier
Chairman
Department of Journalism
University of Hawaii
Older hotel properties have special ambience
What makes for a good resort hotel? I ask that because of recent articles in the local print media criticizing the "aging" condition of major hotels in the Kailua-Kona area.The main slant of the stories is that these properties -- especially the Kona Surf Resort, Keauhou Beach Hotel, Royal Kona Resort and King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel -- are all over 25 years old and have seen better days.
Yes, these hotels are older properties and they look it. But it is wrong to compare them to the newer, fancier and, of course, pricier resort properties on the Kohala Coast.
Those resorts will always attract a certain clientele who can afford their rates, and who need or want that kind of ambience and luxury. But for the majority of visitors and Hawaii residents, the Kona Surf Resort and other Kona properties have numerous positive things to write about.
Quit knocking these properties for merely being older, and check out what it is they offer to most folks: solid visitor satisfaction and tremendous value for the price.
John Kitchen
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Good Friday acknowledges country's Christian roots
On obliterating Good Friday as a state holiday: Sen. Rosalyn Baker needs to know that neither the phrase nor the concept of "the wall of separation" between church and state is in our official national documents.What does appear there is the prohibition of interference in religion by government -- placed there in reaction against the state church abuses in Europe.
If our founding fathers had no problem upholding that restriction while publicly affirming the Christian faith as formative of this nation's very fabric, why do we?
Those who are in denial ought to examine their real motives, and ought to be ashamed of their attempts to undermine the undeniable Christian foundations of this nation.
Donald W. Baron
Mahalo for decrease in auto insurance bill
Our legislators and governor were on the spot with auto insurance, but they delivered. My insurance rates went down as a result. Just thought I'd say thank you.Marsha Patrick-Tyler
Kaneohe
Don't make Hawaii trip more costly for visitor
As a tour driver, I wonder if tourism officials and legislators have considered raising the hotel room tax idea with us, the state's certified tour drivers and guides? We are the ones who are in direct contact with our visitors.We must grin and bear it while listening to them complain about how expensive it is for them to enjoy a vacation here. We want these people to come and enjoy their stay in Hawaii, not turn them away.
One honeymooning couple I took to the airport were angry about the cost of visiting here as they boarded my coach. The lady said, "We could have gone to the Caribbean, spent less money, had a better time, and enjoyed better beaches!"
A Japanese gentleman stated that he could have gone to places like Guam, bought the same products at lower prices, spent less money and stayed longer, on the same amount of money he spent in Hawaii.
Let's consider other means of raising money other than raising the price of a visit to Hawaii. Maybe we need fresh ideas in marketing and financial planning for our industry.
Please don't forget us out here on the tour buses and vans.
Anthony D. Harvey
Wahiawa
(Via the Internet)
Abercrombie's donations from Puerto Rico are big
For those who are interested in viewing the FEC reports that you referenced in your (Feb. 5) article about Rep. Neil Abercrombie "raking in the bucks," they can check out http://www.fec.gov, where I was able to call up Abercrombie's last FEC report.After doing a little math, I realized that out of the $222,472 he collected and itemized, only $37,825 came from individuals and/or PACs with Hawaii addresses! This means that 83 percent of his campaign contributions in this last reporting period came from outside of Hawaii.
What's more, a full 30 percent of his individual contributions came from individuals with Puerto Rico addresses!
Is Neil trying to tell us something? Is he looking to relocate to the Carribean? Maybe he has his eyes on being the next congressman from San Juan!
J. Ellis
(Via the Internet)
There's no need to hold Con Con right now
There is no compelling reason for a constitutional convention at this time. If the Hawaiian sovereignty movement ever reaches a consensus on a set of proposals, it may require amendments to the state Constitution that should be considered at a constitutional convention.Until that happens, Hawaii can hold off on a Con Con.Merrily Ligon
Kapaau, Hawaii
(Via the Internet)
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