Don't desecrate singing of national anthem

The singing of our national anthem before University of Hawaii volleyball games is exemplary and should be continued. However, I cringe when they announce the singer, since once in a while we get one who renders our anthem for entertainment value rather than for the respect it deserves.

When this happens, I find voice inflections, degrees of falsetto and even an occasional change of words. The singer is obviously trying to entertain the audience without giving attention to the real reason he or she is singing.

It is almost instinctive to join in the singing and this should be encouraged. That becomes impossible, however, when the singer introduces variations and unusual changes in tempo.

Someone should screen potential singers to be sure they render it properly, as reflective of the university's observance of proper protocol.

W.W. Robinson
Retired, U.S. Navy
Via the Internet

Ranking shows UH, state are in trouble

In an annual ranking in the Aug. 30 issue of the U.S. News & World Report, the University of Hawaii at Manoa has fallen to the third tier of America's best universities. UH didn't even place in the top 120 schools, whereas in 1998 it was 25th among public national universities.

This is a direct reflection of a series of unprecedented budget cuts that UH has faced in recent years. The report noted that the number of faculty has fallen and the graduation rate has dropped.

In a state where room for sustainable economic growth through development is geographically limited, Hawaii's best prospect for improvement in the standard of living is through an increase in the quality and technical level of products and services we provide.

The success of Silicon Valley in California and Research Triangle Park in North Carolina are just two examples that bear testimony to the fact that a strong research university provides a vital foundation for regional economic well-being through excellence.

By allowing the deterioration of UH-Manoa to continue, we run the risk of undermining a critically important component of our state's future.

Steven Businger
Professor
Department of Meteorology
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Via the Internet

Hung Wo Ching was best Bishop trustee

The late Hung Wo Ching was the most able and honest trustee of the Bishop Estate (Star-Bulletin, 100 Who Made A Difference, Sept. 24). He initially declined an offer to serve as a trustee, but later accepted in the late 1950s. He held it until he turned 70 in 1982.

During Ching's tenure, he sued fellow trustee Matsuo Takabuki regarding Bishop's purchase of Kawaiahao Plaza, now the estate's headquarters. Both Ching and Takabuki had to pay their own legal expenses.

It cost Ching $600,000, but he said it was a matter of principle and worth it.

While he is known more for his role as founder of Aloha Airlines, Ching was also the founder of Nuuanu Memorial Park and Diamond Head Mortuary. He owned prime land and an apartment complex in Waikiki, and served on the boards of many big companies.

He made his mark as an outstanding individual in Hawaii.

How Tim Chang

Quotables "If you speak pidgin, then you think pidgin, and you write pidgin." Paul LeMahieu STATE SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT On the influence that pidgin English may have on Hawaii's dismal scores on a national student writing test "An apology is not enough. Our only recourse is (her) resignation." Richard P. Kinney HAWAIIAN ACTIVIST Asking the Office of Hawaiian Affairs board of trustees to remove Rowena Akana from the chairperson's position after the arrest of a 71-year-old Hawaiian woman during an OHA meeting "I will continue to follow my convictions and stand tall against any adversity." Rowena Akana OHA CHAIRWOMAN Refusing to relinquish her leadership role on the OHA board

We don't need no education, or libraries

Dear Governor Cayetano: Don't just nibble away at the education and library systems -- close 'em all immediately. That'll give you plenty kala for distribution to your pals in our pathetic visitor industry. And to your friends in Hollywood. And to whoever is in charge of "fixing" the state Capitol roof. The list goes on.

Schools? Libraries? A waste of money. After all, with businesses closing and corporations outsourcing, Hawaii doesn't need a glut of educated folks, does it?

Just keep building. And building. Especially sites that'll keep us happy, like our "world-class" rust bucket of a stadium. Or the Hawaii Convention Center, which was built 25 years too late. Or that sad inter-island terminal. Ooops, back to the point.

We don't need no educashun. Close the schools 'n' stuff. Burn the books.

Linda Ryan
Via the Internet

Change of oversight may damage EWC

On Oct. 1, the responsibility for oversight of the East-West Center will pass to the U.S. State Department. Since the department's mission is to formulate and implement U.S. foreign policy, there are genuine concerns that these interests may unduly influence the EWC's intellectual agenda.

Indeed, EWC management now wants to bring "Washington perspectives better into both center agenda setting and into specific projects," and to promote "U.S. values, ideas and interests."

This new mandate may distort what EWC does and how it does it, if it is necessary to ensure that Washington funds keep flowing.

Such bias would make a travesty of the best qualities of the EWC: objectivity, balance and neutrality. The EWC must set its own agenda and implement it without fear or favor.

I call upon the East-West Center community, its friends and, in particular, Hawaii's congressional delegation to work to ensure that the EWC's intellectual independence and its agenda are not compromised by the narrow foreign policy objectives of the U.S. or any other country.

Mark J. Valencia
Kaneohe

Cost of living is driving many people away

It would be one thing if local companies were charging us for the damage we are doing to the environment, like they do in Europe. But they are just profiting off of us ("What price paradise?", Star-Bulletin, Sept 1-2).

I like being in Hawaii, but the high cost of living will probably force me to move to the mainland. It maybe paradise, but it sure is uncomfortable living here.

Luke Meyers
Ewa Beach
Via the Internet

What Price Paradise?

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