Air travelers' sacrifice was much appreciated

It is with much appreciation that I write this letter. My wife and I extend gratitude to a couple from Hawaii who gave up their seats so she could proceed on ATA Flight 1597 on Thanksgiving eve. Our daughter had been seriously injured in an accident on Oahu and my wife was on the way to be with her. If they had not extended kindness and aloha, my wife would not have been able to leave until the next day.

Although we do not know the names of these individuals, I am very grateful for the aloha that they extended to my wife at that time. Kindness is a gesture never wasted. We cannot thank them enough for their aloha and understanding for someone they did not know. It is indeed a pleasure to know that aloha and compassion can still be found in times of stress.

Defense was the key to Warriors' win

While quarterback Colt Brennan deserves all the praise he is getting for beating Boise State last Friday, the reality is that the University of Hawaii defense won the game.

The two key series of plays came after Brennan threw two interceptions in UH territory. The UH defense rose up big time to hold the five-time defending champions to only 3 points! That set the tone for the rest of the game and energized the whole team while totally frustrating Boise State, who was so used to scoring touchdowns after turnovers. The defensive game plan was brilliantly conceived and almost flawlessly executed against a team that had only lost once to a WAC opponent in their five-year reign. The UH defensive players really showed heart, guts and determination in what was definitely their best performance of the year.

It will take that kind of performance on Saturday to beat underrated Washington, which is easily the best team in the nation with a losing record.

Jones can go even further than BCS

Kudos to Coach June Jones on his epic journey. He has taken a program that was underachieving and, with his plan, has executed what appears to be "the Hawaiian miracle." There were previous calls for Coach Jones for governor ... I think he would do fine as our nation's president!

UH showed class in final seconds of game

The University of Hawaii Warriors' magnanimous gesture at the 1-foot line of the Boise Broncos speaks volumes and will resound loudly in the days and months to come. Waiting out the clock with no attempt to score was an inspirational and unselfish gesture witnessed by millions throughout the nation and in Hawaii, of the true spirit of aloha and of "goodwill to all men." It reflected a respectful attitude and abiding faith in what is good, which June Jones has been able to instill in his players throughout the years, and to many of us in Hawaii. It is even more than about winning, "but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God" (Micah 6:8). It was more than about a football game, but about life itself. It was an exemplar "feel good" moment. This defining act will be talked about for a long while as a glowing example of good sportsmanship, respect and aloha. And the best for the UH Warriors is still yet to come. Go Warriors! Go Hawaii!

Entrepreneur-artists should be supported

Regarding "Dispute endangers zoo fence art show" (Star-Bulletin, Nov. 26): Why do they want to press small entrepreneurs out of business? It is very difficult and expensive for any small business to get started. Artists in particular seem to be unwelcome, and these hardworking folks ought to be given all the incentives by government and society to make a living and perpetuate a culture.

To ban the artists who have displayed their paintings on the zoo fence for half a century is a horribly unfair thing to do to them and will disappoint the locals and visitors who make a special visit to the park to see the artists. Everyone will lose.

Don't shut down vacation rentals

It has come to my attention that there is an effort to shut down most vacation rental homes on Oahu.

I need to express my extreme distress over this. Our daughter is a student at the University of Hawaii, and we try to visit her three or four times per year. It is very expensive for our family to make the trip and once we are there we need to be able to rent an affordable home where we can stay for at least two weeks at a time. We want to be in a nice, quite, safe place where we can cook our meals and spend time with our daughter. We like to be on or close to the beach, but away from the crowds. To be honest with you we have been there so often that we don't do much of the tourist stuff anymore. We have a 12-year-old-son and there is no way that we could stay in a hotel for that length of time.

I don't think the message this sends to the mainland is representative of Hawaii's people or the way you would want to be perceived here. When I heard of the possible shutdown and when I have told our friends about it, the general attitude is, "Well, if they don't want us there we can always take our vacation else where." I don't believe this is the message you want to send.

I would ask you to consider the above before shutting down vacation rentals on Oahu.