Keep all judges out of trustee selection

The Hawaii Supreme Court justices decided NOT to appoint future Bishop Estate trustees because they recognized that their allegiance to the state and their judicial duties conflicted with trust appointment obligations.

Why, then, would the state attorney general want to inflict this incurable ethical burden on the Intermediate Court of Appeals judges? While they may not hear Bishop Estate cases, the State of Hawaii would not be served by their permanent disqualification from such cases.

The A.G. seems to assume that the overpayment of trustees is the only reason the Bishop Estate is political. But it will always be political, because it is a wealthy institution holding much land and power in Hawaii.

Its leadership should not be within the grasp of public officials, especially judges.

Hazel Beh

World mourns loss of great patriot

I came late into the life of MSG (Ret.) Alfred S. Los Banos (Star-Bulletin, Sept. 2, "Revered veteran Los Banos dies at 76"). "Freddie," to his close friends, was probably the best-known and most beloved veteran in Hawaii. His identity and influence go well beyond our shores.

I was lucky to have traveled with Freddie and to have shared some wonderful experiences with him and Carol. I pushed him through the Pentagon and White House. I helped carry his wheelchair through small entryways in Washington, D.C., for some memorable Chinese food, and up steps to enjoy Chesapeake Bay crabs in Georgetown.

I was with him at Pearl Harbor, to look upon the USS Arizona from the height of the bow of the USS Missouri.

From the simplest of gatherings to the most formal, in meetings with fellow veterans and leaders of the highest rank, including the president of the United States, Alfred Los Banos never forgot his principles, love of country and dedication to his fellow veterans.

This special human being has stood taller and straighter than anyone else in his presence.

Walter M. Ozawa
Director, Office of Veterans Services

Quotables "Dili is empty now.There are only ghosts of massacres." Xanana Gusmao East Timorese rebel leader Describing the capital of East Timor now nearly deserted after residents fled the violence-torn city. Pro-Indonesia militiamen, who are blamed for an orgy of killing and violence that started Sept. 4, appeared to be retreating ahead of a U.N. peacekeeping force expected within days. "I really feel there are lots of other men who did braver things. I had no idea that he could qualify for the Medal of Honor." Nobuyo Okubo Widow of James K. Okubo Reacting to news that the Army may upgrade the Silver Star awarded to her husband for his World War II service. James K. Okubo, a medic with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, was decorated for rescuing and delivering aid to comrades during combat in France.

City golf course should be built at Kewalo

Now that Andy Anderson's Kewalo Pointe project is presumed dead, the state should consider developing the 221 acres of land it owns in the Kewalo area into a first-class municipal golf course.

This would entail exchanging 135 acres at the Ala Wai Golf Course with the Kakaako waterfront property. Imagine the following:

(PI) The valuable Ala Wai Golf Course property could be converted into Waikiki's second business expansion. Portions could be cleaned up and beautified, like the polluted Ala Wai Canal, which could be turned into a mecca of canal waterways (like in Venice). All of this would complement the Hawaii Convention Center.

(PI) Then, at Kewalo, we'd have a beautiful oceanside municipal golf course second to none and one that all Hawaii, and especially its golfers, would be proud of. And it would be developed in an area in need of sound revitalization.

Edwin T. Saito

UH band is better than canned rap music

Why is rap "music" played at the Stan Sheriff Arena during sporting events while the University of Hawaii band is silenced? Many fans in our section think it's an assault on the senses, as well as being very un-Hawaiian.

It's sort of like going to a wedding and having to listen to undecipherable disco while the orchestra sits muted.

If we can't do away with the unending flood of commercials on the scoreboard, please give us one concession and pull the plug on the rap.

Jim Reed

UH-Hilo is star in university system

Amidst gloomy local, national and international news, we thank you for a welcomed report citing our University of Hawaii at Hilo as ranking third in the nation among similarly sized regional liberal arts colleges in the western states.

This recognition warrants applause for UH-Hilo Chancellor Rose Tseng, her hard-working administration and faculty members, and kudos for UH-H's deserving student body.

We also commend the UH Board of Regents and the UH system for supporting the Hilo campus throughout the years. They have recognized one of UH-H's greatest strengths as the unconditional and passionate commitment of Big Island business, as well as the community-at-large.

J.W.A. Buyers
President, Hawaii Island Economic Development Board
Hilo, Hawaii

Double standard is used for East Timor

Hundreds of natives are being massacred. Thousands are forced at gunpoint to flee burning homes. Is this another Kosovo? No, it's East Timor.

So why has the Clinton/Blair/Albright/Holbrook clique been so sheepish in allowing the Indonesian atrocities to continue?

The big difference: The U.S. is highly discriminatory as to whom it bombs back to the Stone Age. Since Indonesia has lots of oil, America will speak softly and carry an even smaller stick.

Danny Li
Aiea

Stadium staff, cops have gotten their act together

Recently I wrote to complain of the parking and traffic problem at the University of Hawaii-USC football game. Now I want to say mahalo!

The stadium staff and police department did a great job of handling the traffic at the Eastern Illinois game. Keep it up!

I also want to congratulate Coach June Jones, his staff and especially the UH Rainbow Warriors, who played their hearts out. I can't wait to go to this week's game against Boise State

Ray Cranage
Mililani
Via the Internet

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

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