Takai's questions to Frazier inappropriate
If state Rep. K. Mark Takai is so concerned about the list of the University of Hawaii's big-time donors (
"Frazier takes Capitol punishment," May 22), why didn't he ever query former President Evan Dobelle (who promised more than $200 million from donors) instead of blasting athletic director Herman Frazier, who has taken the athletic program from a multimillion-dollar yearly deficit to an operative surplus despite having to play in neglected rust bucket Aloha Stadium?
If Takai really wants to help the athletic department, then he should pursue a solution to parking on football game days instead of shouting out about soap dispensers.
Ben Willkie
Kailua
Military band concert a great experience
I am writing to express my appreciation for the excellent performance of the Combined Military Band Concert, held May 19 at the Hawaii Theatre Center. For those who did not attend this function, you've missed a great presentation. I was deeply touched, as many others were, by the beautiful selections of music performed, especially the music "Inchon." There were sounds in this rendition that sounded like helicopters hovering among us. Many of the selections brought back memories of loved ones in the military.
Also, I am deeply and sincerely grateful to the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and AT&T Hawaii for sponsoring this wonderful concert, giving us the opportunity the hear such beautiful renditions by the military band.
Lehua McColgan
Honolulu
We should go back to ahupuaa system
Recent headlines about state mismanagement of our natural resources show we need a solution quickly. Our resources are so neglected that pristine beaches have become private condo and golf projects overnight. Most of the fish are gone. Even heiaus and burials have received development permits.
For hundreds of years, community 'aha moku councils sustained up to a million people in Hawaii. Elders with traditional knowledge about each unique community managed the ahupuaa. Our current system is a massive failure, and it's time to return to a system that worked.
Chris Cramer
Honolulu
Poor English usage an unfortunate trend
I read with interest Mark Lau's argument in favor of pidgin (
"Letters," May 22) as he responded to
Doug Carlson's May 20 article regarding incorrect English usage. I reread Carlson's article, searching for any reference to pidgin, and could not find any. I, too, am dismayed at the declining use of correct English. For instance, lately I've noted the use -- in large advertising letters -- of the adjective "everyday" in place of the adjective-noun phrase "every day."
I do not speak pidgin, but respect it as a creole language that has a useful place in the business world, as described by Lau. The incorrect usages in the examples put forth by Carlson are not examples of pidgin, but of incorrect English usage. The issue of declining proper English usage should concern us all.
Martha Lanzas
Honolulu
Bush hoping to cut political losses in Iraq
About that Iraq war funding bill stalemate in the U.S. Senate, I believe President Bush is deliberately playing a delaying game to prolong the conflict until November 2008. His field commanders have spoken out and have requested heavier-armored Strykers, Abramses and Bradleys to blunt the next generation of IEDs. American ingenuity is fantastic, but this is a tall order when you realize that world's scrap steel is beginning to diminish when the Chinese cars start rolling off the assembly lines.
Under his personal plan, Bush will be out of office and can claim that the war is a no-decision -- that is, he is neither a winner nor a loser -- and preserve this part of his legacy.
Leonard Chun
Honolulu
Throw the bums out who promote rail
Let me get this straight ... this cockamamie rail-to-nowhere our own elected officials have rammed down the public's throat is really THE solution. At a cost of billions (yes, that's with an "s"), with no public referendum and with no service to Waikiki, no service to the airport, no service to the University of Hawaii (all the potential ways this would have an inkling of a chance to start paying for itself), this is our transportation salvation? How do these officials sleep at night?
No money for adequate teacher pay, but we get rail. Can't figure out how to pave a road properly so it lasts longer than a year, but we get rail. No money for competitive police salaries so we don't lose them to the mainland, but we get rail. Point being, serious issues need serious public servants, not self-serving, "Looky, we gave ourselves a raise," self-aggrandizing politicians as usual. Please, everyone, remember this when you vote. Throw these people out of office.
Alan Urie
Honolulu