Why no panic over threat to accreditation?

Regarding the University of Hawaii accreditation problems: It seems that, in Hawaii, having an entire university in a major losing streak is no big deal. The state is interested only if the UH football team is having the losing streak.

Somebody wake up the Legislature or governor or whomever, and tell them that their team is losing.

Gary Bean
Via the Internet

Care at Straub Hospital is still exemplary

Dr. George McPheeters is right (Star-Bulletin, July 12). I have had several surgeries at Straub Clinic & Hospital over the past five or six years, and have seen no appreciable decline in patient care, even though there have been staff cuts, lots of personnel reshuffling and a new management company.

Despite the changes in staffing and familiar faces in different positions, the standard of care is just as high as ever. Now if we could only get the ono fried rice they serve downstairs in the cafeteria onto our breakfast trays upstairs.

Catharine Honeyman
Midway Island
Via the Internet

Where's Linda Lingle when we need her?

We all need to take a hard, firm look at the people that we have elected to office. We should start at the top and work our way done the line.

For example, the state has spent millions of dollars and years attempting to oust the Bishop Estate trustees. Where did all of this money come from? It's the hard-earned money of taxpayers.

Now, Governor Cayetano decides to nominate Earl Anzai as attorney general. What type of credentials does Anzai have? Is this a way that the governor can get back at the Senate for overriding his nominations of former Attorney General Margery Bronster and Anzai, his former budget director? This whole thing is a mockery of our state government.

The governor has not done his job efficiently and this matter of fighting between him and our Legislature must be stopped. Linda Lingle, hang in there!

Gayle Nakama
Via the Internet

Lives were ruined by former trustees

As a Kahuku High School graduate and a resident of the state of Washington for over 30 years, I have been following the news about the trustees at Kamehameha Schools with great interest and was pleased to read about Judge Kevin Chang's ruling.

However, I remain saddened about the removal of many of the fine teachers at Kamehameha, who were given two weeks' notice when trustee Lokelani Lindsey's reign began. My colleague, Tom Ai, a graduate of St. Martin's College here in Lacey, was one of those who were forced to seek a teaching job elsewhere -- after 17 years of teaching at Kamehameha. He remains loyal to the school.

Lives like these, altered by corrupt trustees, can never get their just compensation. Mahalo to Judge Chang, the former attorney general, Kamehameha alumni, "Broken Trust" authors and all of the residents there who persevered to make this ruling possible.

Gene Canque Liddell
Lacey, Wash.
Via the Internet

Bishop Estate Archive

Quotables "My eye was broken. Now I can see great." Taitaifono Otineru 55-YEAR-OLD RESIDENT OF AMERICAN SAMOA After undergoing eye surgery performed by Oahu ophthalmologist Dr. Jorge Camara, who utilized a device call InstaTrak to repair fractures to Otineru's eye and damaged nerve "He's a big teddy bear. This guy is responsible. We all trusted him with firearms." Mike Joy MANAGER OF THE DIAMOND HEAD GUN CLUB Talking about gun club employee Albert Raymond Batalona, who is wanted by HPD in connection with Wednesday's armed robbery of American Savings Bank in Kahala

Fresh-water pool is the answer

Regarding the controversy over the water quality in the restored Natatorium pool, why not simply make it a fresh-water pool? Where is it written in stone that the resurrected pool must be filled with salt water?

A fresh-water pool would offer a refreshing alternative -- like the beachfront hotel pools reserved for their guests. Not everyone likes to swim in salt water.

Also, why not add a separate diving pool with springboards as a formal training venue for talented local youth? How many potential young Olympians in our midst will live and die in obscurity due to a lack of opportunities? Where is the vision and courage by leaders to do things that enhance the quality of life for everyone?

Dean Ontai
Aiea
Via the Internet

Natatorium should be place for reflection

As a retired colonel and veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam, I strongly support the position taken by Ray Thiele in his July 5 letter. Restoration of the beautiful arch, and perhaps the addition of landscaping and benches in the immediate area surrounding the Natatorium, would create a true war memorial.

It would be a fitting tribute to those who gave their lives in all wars. It would also afford visitors to the site an opportunity to contemplate the meaning of their sacrifices, which provided the peace and freedom we are all privileged to enjoy.

Stanley D. Wild
Via the Internet

Fly unfriendly skies at your own risk

I hope that well-known news guy named Joe doesn't mind if I borrow his phrase as I ponder the "joys" of air travel. Did you ever notice how:

Dinner on an airplane is the size of a 2-year-old's snack?

The average airline seat is 2 inches smaller than the average behind?

If you miss your flight the airlines won't refund your money but it will sell your seat to someone on standby?

Just when you earn enough frequent-flyer points for that free trip, the airline no longer flies where you need to go?

The airlines eliminate flights due to having less demand than seats and then a month later raise ticket prices due to not having enough seats for the demand?

The airlines give very few discounts to people who live in Hawaii because they know we can't take the train or bus to the mainland?

Sign me, "Tired of the airlines."

Steven E. Marsh
Mililani
Via the Internet

Media obsess about Bush's military record

Why are the mass media so interested in discovering the "facts" about Texas Gov. George W. Bush and his military experience? It seems the press just cannot believe that someone would willingly serve his country and risk his life to defend our freedoms. There must be some angle to his military service, journalists say.

Why is it such a novelty that a person would want to serve his/her nation?

I don't know much about Bush or his political views, but I am certainly grateful to him and the millions like him (my father included) who chose to serve our country.

It would be a sad place, indeed, that considers patriotism to be a novelty.

Kevin Saito
Via the Internet

Legislature Directory
Hawaii Revised Statutes
UH student news Ka Leo O Hawaii

---

Write a
Letter to the Editor

Want to write a letter to the editor? Let all Star-Bulletin readers know what you think. Please keep your letter to about 200 words. You can send it by e-mail to letters@starbulletin.com or you can fill in the online form for a faster response. Or print it and mail it to: Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu, Hawaii 96802. Or fax it to: 523-8509. Always be sure to include your daytime phone number.