Newspaper owners should rethink decision

If the Star-Bulletin is closed, a newspaper that demonstrated significant improvement in its news coverage and features will be gone, and we will be left with only a single editorial voice.

In addition, competition from the Star-Bulletin encourages higher quality journalism from the Advertiser. We shouldn't let this closure happen without a fight.

The Honolulu Community-Media Council supports the efforts of S.O.S. (Save Our Star-Bulletin) and the state's lawsuit to stop the closure. We applaud the issuance of a preliminary injunction by U.S. District Judge Alan Kay.

According to one news report, "The Advertiser can back out of the termination agreement if it receives a civil investigation demand or equivalent process from any state or federal agency." Such demand has been received.

We urge the Advertiser owner, Gannett Co., to rescind the termination agreement.

Star-Bulletin owner Liberty Newspapers has received significant benefits over the past six years, made possible by antitrust exemptions allowed under the Newspaper Preservation Act.

At the very least, Liberty should be compelled to make a good-faith effort to find a buyer willing to continue publishing the Star-Bulletin under the current terms of the joint operating agreement.

Helen Chapin
Chairwoman
Honolulu Community-Media Council

Paper should have been put on the market

Liberty Newspapers sold out the people of Hawaii to Gannett Co. Why didn't Liberty put the paper up for sale, even to an employee co-op, before assuming that no one would buy it?

Clearly, Gannett is elated by the closing of its rival and its subsequent gain in advertising revenues. Gannett is the winner; the readers of the Star-Bulletin and all of Hawaii are the losers.

Couldn't Liberty have had a little more compassion and foresight? Money isn't everything.

Emily Godinet

Taxpayers keep paying because of lawsuits

The residents of Hawaii seem to have contracted a disease long prevalent on the mainland, and it runs counter to our traditional spirit of aloha.

Its unmistakable symptom is the tendency to take others to court for any real or imagined grievance, no matter how trivial or how much it will cost the taxpayer.

An example is the lawsuit lodged with the purported intent of forcing the Star-Bulletin to continue publication, even if it is clearly more costly to the owner.

The whole idea is patently nonsensical. It does not take a superior legal mind to see where this kind of thing could lead.

Reginald Jones

Star-Bulletin closing Oct. 30, 1999
Kay issues preliminary injunction
Text of preliminary injunction
Text of refusal to lift injunction

Quotables "In all humility, let me offer these last words of wisdom: In unity there is strength; in harmony there is peace; and in service there is salvation." Moses K. Keale OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS TRUSTEE Kauai resident who will be retiring as an OHA trustee at the end of this month, at the age of 69, after serving 19 years on the board "How do I know so much about New York pizza? 'Cause, New York, I want to be your next senator!" Blonde actress SPORTING A BUSINESS SUIT AND A HEAVY SOUTHERN ACCENT, AND EXTOLLING THE VIRTUES OF THE "BIG NEW YORKER" A new Pizza Hut commercial that purportedly lampoons Hillary Clinton as a carpetbagger and that is angering Democrats

Kaiser staff, stamina triumphed over virus

Contracting a virus became a life-threatening problem for me at age 77. Doctors and technicians had successfully guided me through a carefully calculated program of chemotherapy and radiation in preparation for surgery.

Due to catching a virus a few days before a lengthy and successful operation, recovery seemed hopeless. The virus weakened my immune system and caused high fever, a pneumonia condition, erratic heart beat and moments of irrationality.

For several days, dedicated doctors devoted much energy and time to my predicament as they effected my comfort and recovery.

My sincere thanks to the hospital's Moanalua staff. Kaiser Permanente must be proud of these dedicated professionals.

A. John Titchen

Princess wanted justices to pick trustees

The Hawaii Supreme Court justices should continue to appoint the trustees of Bishop Estate.

The 13th article of the trust document of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop provides for the establishment and maintenance of the Kamehameha Schools and directs the trustees to annually make a full and complete report "to the chief justice of the Supreme Court, or other highest judicial officer in this country."

This means she apparently felt safe in choosing the chief justice of the Supreme Court to carry out her wishes.

The Supreme Court could form an advisory committee, whose function would be similar to the Judicial Selection Commission, an independent judiciary body, for purposes of administration.

The Legislature, by resolution or statute, would need to give the judiciary the authority and power to form the advisory committee.

The justices may have become discouraged and uncomfortable about selecting the trustees and recently withdrew from making any future appointments.

Nevertheless, I would like to see the justices give it another try. It would be in keeping with the wishes of the princess, a kind and gentle lady of the past.

Pearl Richardson Nishimura
Kailua

It took Audie Murphy years to get on stamp

I can relate to the frustration expressed by supporters of a Duke Kahanamoku stamp (Star-Bulletin, Oct. 18).

For three years, thousands of us battled with the U.S. Postal Service for a stamp in honor of the late World War II hero and movie actor Audie L. Murphy.

The organizers of this massive effort collected 91,000 signatures on a petition and inundated the postmaster general and his subordinates with thousands of letters and e-mails.

We also enlisted the editors of the New York Daily News who wrote eight (yes, eight!) editorials urging the postmaster general to do the right thing.

Along the way we collected support from at least two senators, two congressmen and two governors (including our own).

Finally, after the secretary of the Army sent a personal letter expressing his support, the Postal Service unveiled an Audie Murphy stamp last week.

So Duke Kahanamoku fans, don't give up. Check out the Audie Murphy web site at http://www.audiemurphy.com for ideas on how to mount a successful campaign.

Mike Davino

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

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