St. Louis is a victim of discrimination

There seems to be no end to the trashing of St. Louis with the intent to bring down the school and its football program. The media just won't let go of the Las Vegas incident. Those boys made a mistake and already suffered for it. But then:

The OIA principals abolished the Prep Bowl because their own championship teams could not beat the ILH champion, St. Louis. They formed the State of Hawaii football championship and unfairly allotted only one slot to the ILH. The championship game was played on Dec. 4, and did not generate interest. Only 10,000 people attended; the previous average was 18,000 for the Prep Bowl.

When Father Mario Pariante was removed as president by the St. Louis Board of Trustees, there were angry and mean-spirited protests, mostly by disgruntled and jealous people who would not accept the facts. The trustees are people of integrity who made their decision based on facts and reason. They also declared that Father Mario's dismissal was not influenced by Coach Cal Lee and the football program.

Now, another group of ILH principals -- who are also anti-St. Louis -- has emerged. They want changes to the rules governing football; they want "parity." Although they are not publicly putting the onus on St. Louis, there's no doubt who is being targeted. This is discrimination against the school, whose only fault has been playing good football and bringing national recognition and prominence to the state. There were no calls for parity when Punahou and Kamehameha schools dominated island football.

I have four sons who graduated from St. Louis and received a good education. Three played football there with one receiving the school's scholar/athlete award. They are proud of their alma mater and have deep respect for Coach Lee's guidance, leadership and for what he has done for St. Louis and the state.

Henry Kim
St. Louis School
Class of 1944

Praying for rain, wind on New Year's Eve

I use a wheelchair and need to inhale oxygen 24 hours a day because of a lung problem. This is my fifth year with such problems.

The mayor, governor, City Council and Legislature are not too bright. They have no concern for elderly or sick people who are affected by fireworks' smoke on New Year's Eve.

I hope and pray for heavy rains and winds that night to drown out all the fireworks.

Maybe after something drastic happens, then someone will try to resolve the problem.

Joseph D. Moniz Sr.

Quotables "We're going after big stars to make opening night and all the galas something very, very special so people get their money's worth -- but nothing cheesy." Christian Gaines DIRECTOR OF THE HAWAII INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL On the increased "glitz and glamour" promised for the year 2000 festival "They expect us to be on top of things. They don't want to hear an agent say, 'We'll get back to you with that.' " Bonnie Ishii Coen AGENT AND ASSOCIATE PARTNER AT PRUDENTIAL LOCATIONS INC. IN HONOLULU On a new system for Palm Pilots that holds the entire Multiple Listing Service of homes for sale

Sai accused state of property theft, too

The conviction of Keanu Sai of Perfect Title is like a morality play. Throughout history, the colonizing nation has arrested and imprisoned the future leaders of the emerging nation. Sai's conviction of attempted theft of real property is especially telling, as that is exactly what Sai accused the State of Hawaii of doing.

Rolf Nordahl
Via the Internet

Hawaii is turning into one big rubbish dump

I am alarmed and angered at the amount of trash and rubbish I see daily on our roadsides, beaches and other common areas. Our beautiful islands are in danger of becoming giant trash pits, and the fault is ours alone.

On my weekly drive along Kalanianaole to the Windward side, I see plastic bags caught in the kiawe bushes, bags of trash on the side of the road, and bottles and cans of every kind. Bud Lite appears to be the beer of choice for people who like to drive, drink and toss.

Go to the beach, and you'll see that a lots of folks like to have something to eat and drink, and then change the baby's diaper. They toss everything in the naupaka when they leave. Some are a little neater and bag their trash before tossing it into the bushes.

I'd like to think that people who toss trash do so because they don't know any better. It is our responsibility to ensure that they do.

Take a bag to the beach the next time you go, and pick up some rubbish on your way back to the car. Parents need to teach children that leaving trash around is just not the right thing to do.

Imagine what our islands would look like if we just got rid of some of the trash. In the meantime, can't we just pick up after ourselves?

Helen Gibson Ahn

Education center will despoil bay

The city wants education as part of the Hanauma Bay's future plans and we agree. Alerting island people and visitors to the preciousness of our Hawaiian environment is an appropriate function of our local government.

Instead of using a concrete building as a classroom, however, the lessons could take place under the surrounding trees, in a pavilion, on the beach.

A few resources to explore to give those "lessons" are our kupuna, the Hawaii Nature Center, Moanalua Gardens Foundation, Polynesian Voyaging Society, Bishop Museum, Waikiki Aquarium and youngsters in our schools doing service projects.

Keep the process simple, clean and comfortable. Then everyone will benefit.

Plans to construct huge buildings for administration, education and snack bar are frightening. We don't need more concrete and pavement. It destroys trees, creates heat, inhibits rainfall and makes everyone grouchy.

Myron B. Thompson

It's not acceptable to defame people of color

I don't understand the uproar over Mililani Trask's recent race-baiting and hate-filled diatribe concerning Senator Inouye. She and sister Haunani have been spewing forth such invective unchallenged for years.

Oh, wait. This time, it was against a Japanese man instead of a white man. I think that I'm beginning to understand.

Mike Stetson

State's strategy in lawsuit paid off

There have been many schemes proposed for the use of the $15 million settlement the state recently secured from BHP/Tesoro in the gasoline suit. But the fairest and most efficient way to disperse the money is by adjusting the gas tax -- either by reducing it or avoiding an increase.

Tesoro accepted the state's offer to settle and, more important, agreed to assist in further prosecution of the case. Skeptics would be wise to let the trial proceed before passing judgment.

Time will reveal two things: Tesoro made a prudent decision and the state's strategy paid off.

Jackie Kido
Director of Communications
Office of the Governor

Legislature Directory
Hawaii Revised Statutes

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