GoldenLetter
The Star-Bulletin chooses a monthly Golden Letter winner. The award is given to the letter writer who has best expressed his or her views in an informative, entertaining or persuasive manner. Here is November's Golden Letter winner.
Frugal fans want to see Warriors, but ...
Back in November, University of Hawaii assistant football coach George Lumpkin told Star-Bulletin sports writer Dave Reardon that it was "a great mystery" to him why game attendance fell during the 2006 season.
Warrior fan Jeff Shimanoff, who attended the UH-San Jose State game with his two sons, thinks he knows the answer.
"The cheapest tickets for the kids were $22 in the end zone only. I paid $27 for the end zone as well. I also paid $5 to park, $15 for two pizza slices and sodas for the kids and yes, I splurged on myself with a Gordon Biersch Marzen for $7.50 (yes, that's one beer!) and a hot dog as well."
That's more than $100 for an afternoon at the Aloha Stadium. Jeff's suggestion: Lower the prices for tickets, food and drinks, and the fans will return to cheer on their team.
Nancy Christenson,
Assistant editor, editorial page
Colt proves to be good role model for kids
I am writing to applaud University of Hawaii Warriors quarterback Colt Brennan for his recent decision to play another year here rather than going to the NFL (
Star-Bulletin, Jan. 18).
Not only is he committed to his team, but he is committed to his education. Despite his past, he is now a great role model for our keiki.
Go 'Bows!
Lisa Robbins
Newport News, Va.
Former Hawaii resident
You just gotta love that Warrior quarterback
I love
Colt Brennan! There, I said it ... I wish he was my son, my brother, my friend. For now I'll just have to settle for hero.
Martin Hollowell
Mililani
Can sports phenoms improve on perfection
It's hard to improve on perfection, but the results of having University of Hawaii Warriors quarterback
Colt Brennan and teenage golfer
Tadd Fujikawa offering advice and techniques to each other might be very interesting ...
Don Neill
Kaneohe
Tadd short on stature, but long on talent
Not only am I proud to be a resident of the state of Hawaii Five-0, I am now also proud to say I live in the same state as golfer
Tadd Fujikawa, Hawaii Five-One! He brings back the immortal words of the late New York Mets pitcher Tug McGraw: "Ya gotta believe." Thanks, Tadd.
Kathy Westlake
Honolulu
Some changes would benefit pedestrians
The driver penalties proposed by the governor in an effort to protect pedestrians (
Star-Bulletin, Jan. 15) will work only if they are enforced. However, given that our police have lots of other laws to enforce, I submit that a more effective protection for pedestrians would be engineering by the city and state departments of transportation to keep vehicles and pedestrians separated.
Our traffic departments can, at minimum cost, engineer the following:
» let pedestrians cross, in all directions, by using scramble crossings (all lights are red) to keep out vehicles turning while pedestrians are crossing and eliminate pedestrians when cars are turning;
» require that all crosswalk "walk" lights automatically light up the white "walk" light regardless of whether a person has pushed the light button;
» install more right- and left-turn arrows so drivers do not have to compete with pedestrians who are properly crossing;
» place a button-activated alert flashing light system at crosswalks where no traffic light is installed;
» maintain all existing crosswalks with fresh, nighttime reflecting paint and install more crosswalks to discourage crossing in unmarked areas; and
» keep road shoulders clear of vegetation and parked cars when shoulders are a substitute for sidewalks.
Paul E. Smith
Honolulu
Pedestrians create dangerous situations
Along with the latest round of
stiffening penalties for drivers not stopping for pedestrians in crosswalks, Gov. Linda Lingle needs to give equal weight to irresponsible pedestrians as well. We've all seen them, those who step onto the roadway without looking both ways, those who turtle walk when crossing, and those using cell phones, eating or concentrating on conversations with others rather than walking briskly from one side to the other.
There are the indecisive ones who wait while the light indicates "walk" and then step out when "don't walk" starts to flash. There are some who will dart in front of a driver without any warning, creating a dangerous situation for both. Many cross when the signal light is red, and many more cross in noncrosswalk areas. Worse are the elderly who think they are faster than they actually are, while jay-walking.
Let's demand that individuals be responsible for their actions while crossing roadways by enacting a doctrine that says, "Step onto a roadway and you take your life into your hands." It might help some to be alert and do the right thing while crossing.
Robert Ching
Mililani
New year, same piece of bad legislation
As expected, Sen. Daniel Akaka
reintroduced the Akaka Bill (Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2007) on Wednesday, the 114th anniversary of the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani. Cutting through the good senator's nice words, it sounds like the bill is the same outrageously bad idea it has been since it was first introduced seven years ago: It would sponsor a separate government for one race; break up and give away much of the state of Hawaii; set a dangerous precedent for the United States and almost certainly lead to secession.
As Henry V said before the battle of Agincourt, "Once more onto the breach, dear friends."
H. William Burgess
Honolulu
Typical of losers to demand House reform
Re: the Gathering Place article "State House needs real reform" (
Star-Bulletin, Dec. 31): State representatives Scott Saiki and Sylvia Luke, in the two last elections, have run for the top spot -- speaker of the House -- and lost. After losing the elections, both now say that the state House of Representatives needs real reform.
It is interesting that when they are on the losing end of the election they cry for reform. I know what it is like to be on the winning and losing side of an election. Some people who run and lose put the blame on other issues. Good politicians learn from their losses and learn how to make friends and influence people, like Dale Carnegie.
U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye is one of them. He has been on the winning and losing side of leadership battles. Inouye has always learned from those encounters. That is why he continues to deliver for the state of Hawaii.
I suggest that Saiki and Luke learn from Inouye and make sure they have at least 26 votes when going into a leadership election.
George M. Waialeale
Honolulu