St. Louis president has great leadership skills
While I am not able to comment on Father Mario Pariante's term at St. Louis School in Hawaii, I am aware of his leadership skills when he was principal of Chaminade College Preparatory High School in West Hills, Calif.He was an inspirational principal at Chaminade, and a dedicated leader for the students.
My daughter was extremely fortunate to have been part of a group of teachers and students who traveled the U.S. one summer -- 40 states in 50 days. Father Mario was the group leader.
I am extremely sorry that the St. Louis trustees do not recognize his leadership abilities. At first glance, it appears that team sports have taken a priority not deserved, and that education and morality are, once again, relegated to the back burner.
Phyllis Bresnik
Canoga Park, Calif.
Via the Internet
Pariante should be praised, not punished
It's a crying shame when there is more emphasis put on athletic achievement than academics.Finally, someone like Father Mario Pariante was looking out for the welfare of students and putting education first at St. Louis. He noticed that the school's priorities were out of order and intended to push education to the top. Instead of being praised and supported, he was fired.
For this reason, my children will never attend St. Louis. Sports is not forever. Knowledge is.
Kekoa Villarin
Via the Internet
Emphasis on sports is dumbing-down Hawaii
How typical that a school like St. Louis places such emphasis on athletics over education. Look at the University of Hawaii, where the football team has won a watered-down WAC championship, resulting in "June Jones for Governor" T-shirts to be printed.The St. Louis football team should have been disbanded completely and barred from all competition after its debacle in Las Vegas.
No wonder there is a brain drain in Hawaii. All muscle, no brain. Duh.
James Baker
Laie
Via the Internet
Bows outdid themselves with Fresno St. victory
Mahalo and congratulations to Coach June Jones, his assistant coaches and especially the University of Hawaii football players who gave everything they had and were justly rewarded for their efforts.I have seen many UH football games, including the one in which Jones was a back-up quarterback to Alex Kaloi.
There were also the two wins over BYU, the victory over Iowa and the win over Washington at Honolulu Stadium.
But, without a doubt, beating Fresno State to claim the WAC title was the most exciting to watch.
Continued success to Coach Jones and team. Go Bows!
Earl E. Tokumura
Via the Internet
Doubters of Rainbows should be ashamed
A few weeks ago, some UH fans jeered the University of Hawaii football team's losing effort.Perhaps the real lesson of the Rainbows' WAC championship can be found in the words of President Theodore Roosevelt: "It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done better.
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust, sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes in short again and again -- and who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause."
George I. Nakamura
Mililani
Via the Internet
Quotables
"We have a lot of talent
this year, but the key to winning
a national championship
will be heart."Heather Bown
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII
SENIOR VOLLYEBALL PLAYER After the Wahine beat Rice to win the
Western Athletic Conference
championship
"It appears that the trustees
lobbied everyone but the
pope on this issue."Hugh Jones
STATE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL On how the ousted trustees of the Bishop Estate
paid former Gov. John Waihee to lobby top
White House officials in an effort to protect
their hefty paychecks
Bradley's stance on health care is best
Bill Bradley is the only candidate for president who supports comprehensive medical coverage. Basic coverage will lead to more preventative care for citizens, greater access to pre-natal care and increased access to physicians for our seniors. These long-term benefits will pay back ten-fold the initial cost of the program.That Bradley offer a plan such as universal coverage knowing that it could turn into a punching bag for the rest of the campaigners tells me he is a man of integrity and values and not a poll-monger.
He embodies our democratic traditions, some of which have been unfortunately but necessarily pushed to the side in response to short-lived, right-wing reactionaries who argue over ethereal issues like flag burning.
Christopher Dudley
Via the Internet
OHA trustee must overcome her hatred
I have never experienced a face-to-face meeting with Mililani Trask. But, from everything I read and hear, there is so much bitterness enshrouding her that rational thought cannot break through.How sad that her interpretation of aloha seems to be labeled "for kanaka maoli only."
I am very proud of my Hawaiian blood, so she embarrasses me. I am very proud to be an American, so her words offend me.
As a human being, I hope that some day she rediscovers her primordial roots.
She may then possibly become more humble, humane and productive.
Jimmy Borges
Japantown, Koreatown are good ideas
City Councilman Andy Mirikitani's proposal to have a "Japantown" in the Moiliili area and a "Koreatown" in the Ala Moana-Keeaumoku district sounds like an excellent idea.Creating this type of title for these districts will help preserve the Japanese and Korean culture. It will also encourage other Japanese and Korean people to create a bond with their heritage.
Having their own labeled towns will also enable them to hold events that can honor their unique ethnic backgrounds.
Aren't we all tired of hearing Mirikitani talk about getting rid of all the adult spots in Hawaii? Maybe working on this will help redirect his energy toward something more productive.
Brad Uchida
Former mayor should quit running for office
Frank Fasi has been making rumblings of late on his daily radio show and around town about running for mayor in the upcoming election. Egads!Fasi is like a prizefighter who doesn't know when to hang up the gloves. He was a good, even great, mayor for 20 years. His record speaks for itself.
However, people and times have changed. We don't want to be subjected to another of his mean-spirited, mud-slinging campaigns.
Frank should play the elder statesman. He certainly qualifies.
Jay Johnson
Legislature Directory
Hawaii Revised Statutes
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