Jones clear on his wants: more money

Well, at least University of Hawaii football coach June Jones is not putting all his supporters through the time-honored ritual of saying that his won-loss record is so good -- it is not -- that he is entitled to be paid more than four or five times what the governor makes (even though he did have a better year).

Nor did he come right out and say that he needs the huge pay increase because his family needs it. He hasn't cried to the press that 2002 will be terribly difficult because of the loss of so many top players as well as a tough schedule, particularly on the road.

He's even let the press speculate about the myriad rumors about the dozen or so vacant coaching jobs around the country without saying anything but, "I want to stay in Hawaii."

No, he's come straight out and let it be known that he wants to get rich for guiding the Warriors in their quest for the big time. That he has only produced a 20-16 record to date hasn't deterred him.

What he wants is about a $1 million a year before the loss of those 10 to 12 keys players from the 2001 team bring the Warriors down to Earth again.

That's what they call "getting it while the getting is good."

Bob Cole

Homeless destroying Waikiki and tourism

I have been in the tourist business in Waikiki for a number of years, providing rental units for visitors. Many of my clients come year after year to enjoy the clean air, sunshine, sunsets, the beach, beautiful weather and Hawaii's people.

Now they are beginning to see the ugly side of Waikiki: the invasion of homeless people. While Mayor Harris is trying to beautify Waikiki to attract more visitors, the homeless are destroying it, crowding the beach and monopolizing beach-side benches by sleeping on them day and night. They are dirty and unsanitary. Their bodies and clothes stink. Sometimes the conditions are so bad that trucks with water hoses are called to wash and remove the dirt and smell.

The police seems powerless to "police" the homeless people. If this problem is not contained, our tourism business will die.

Governor, what can you do? Mayor, what can you do? Waikiki Improvement Association, what can you do?

If the homeless people are left free to do their own thing, they will destroy Waikiki.

Alba Peca

[Quotables] "I didn't know I was the first. I hope this won't be the end of it. I hope you'll see other African-American girls and boys who want to give winter sports a try because there are not a lot out there." Vonetta Flowers Member of the U.S. Olympic bobsled team, on being the first black athlete -- male or female -- to win a gold medal at a Winter Olympics. Flowers and partner Jill Bakken, who had been virtually ignored by the press before the race, upstaged the German team, which had been favored to win gold and silver. "We had to poll ourselves so many times. We couldn't come to a snap decision when we're deciding someone's life." Arakawa trial juror Juror who wished to remain unidentified, describing deliberations in Clyde Arakawa's trial in the traffic death of Dana Ambrose. Jurors on Tuesday found Arakawa guilty of manslaughter, concluding that he was drunk and speeding when he ran a red light and crashed his car into Ambrose's at Pali Highway and School Street. Arakawa faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on April 22.

ILH tourney shuts out some worthy teams

Recently the Kamehameha Girls Soccer Team tied for second place with Iolani, just a half-point behind Punahou. It disturbs me that the Interscholastic League of Honolulu is allotted only one team at the state tournament.

The ILH teams dominated in the pre-season tournaments this year. Pac-Five won the Castle Tournament, Punahou won the Moanalua Tournament and Kamehameha won the Baldwin Tournament. In 1999, when two berths were given to the ILH, Iolani and Kamehameha played in the championship game.

ILH is one of the most competitive leagues in the state. To give them only one berth is ridiculous. If people want to know who's the best in the state, then let the ILH teams into the tournament. I know that the ILH has a smaller number of teams in their league and that's why only one berth in the tournament is reserved for them. But wouldn't you agree that it should be about how good a team is that gets it into the state tournament, not the number of teams in its league? Isn't that what a state tournament is about -- who's the best?

I propose that the soccer committee review the rules again and figure out a way to make a true state championship tournament.

Brittany Yap

Cops ate high on hog with Spam, smokies

Enron, the Olympics, economic recession and -- from Hawaii -- Spam-gate! I loved the article "State lists foods in HPD scandal" (Star-Bulletin, Feb. 15).

Police officials are eating pretty well these days. I would never have thought of buying 100 pounds of cocktail smokies. What's this about spending $226 for Spam? Also, I'm confused about the $292 for ketchup. Was that for the Spam or the smokies? Why not another condiment? Well, maybe ketchup is best.

The list of ingredients would make an enviable plate lunch for anyone, with leftovers. You can't prosecute these guys; they'll become cultural icons. Why not make them guests on the Iron (bars) Chef cooking program? Maybe they can put out a cookbook.

Wayne Gomes
Seattle
Former Hawaii resident

Employers should let workers direct 401(k)

If Congress wants meaningful 401(k) reform, it must require employers to offer employees the option to self-direct our 401(k) plans. Limited to a select number of mutual funds or the company stock, employees yearn for the no-holds-barred investment choices of IRAs and private accounts.

A few employers offer a 401(k) self-directed option through the plan administrator's discount brokerage arm, but most need prodding. The majority of employers still condescend to American workers that we lack the necessary expertise to manage our own contributions.

Ted Pizzino

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