Flag, anthem etiquette were absent at games
I attended the double-header football bowls at the Aloha Stadium on Christmas Day.But I was offended by the way the U.S. and Hawaiian flags were presented at the start of the Aloha Bowl game. I was also upset about the stance of the Hilton Hawaiian Guard during the playing of the "Star-Spangled Banner."
Basic rules of respect and flag courtesy were not followed.
The American flag should always be displayed to the right or in front of the Hawaiian flag. But the Hawaiian flag was in front of the American flag when they were marched into the stadium.
As a veteran, I found the presentation of colors offensive and disrespectful. There are many references that could have been utilized to assure that the flags were honored and presented in a respectable manner.
Antoinette Correia
Via the Internet
Don't hold bowl games on Christmas Day
My family and I attended the first Aloha Bowl in 1981 and we never attended another, simply because the game is held on Christmas. I have spoken to family, friends, co-workers, etc., and they all agree: We don't want to spend Christmas Day at a stadium!In 1990, I wrote to Marcia Cherner, then-executive director of the Aloha Bowl, when the attendance was at its low of 14,185. She responded at that time, "It's a Christmas Day game and it will always be a Christmas Day game." I guess she still feels that way.
If the Aloha and Oahu Bowl promoters want to fill Aloha Stadium, they need to change the date of the games to Dec. 24, 27 or 28. Guarantee, it will be a sellout. Look how they changed the place and date of the Hula Bowl and how successful it is now.
Robert Souza
Kailua
Via the Internet
Happy new year! Bulletin is still here
I am very happy to be welcoming in the new year, and I'm especially happy that your newspaper and its staff are still here to keep us informed about events in Hawaii and around the world.May you be here to serve us for many years to come! Happy 2000!
Frances Oshiro
Via the Internet
Many have concerns about fluoride use
Governor Cayetano says he is concerned about Hawaii's dental health, so he wants our water fluoridated. Yet there is much evidence that suggests there are serious health concerns with fluoride ingestion.Each time this topic comes around, advocates proclaim that fluoridation is in the best interest of our children. It makes good sense to me, if you want fluoride for your child, you should get some toothpaste with fluoride to accommodate your needs.
Governor Cayetano, don't force this poison on us. There are many citizens of Hawaii who feel the way I do.
John Geng
Kaunakakai, Molokai
Via the Internet
Animal quarantine fees are way too expensive
I am a Hawaii resident who will be returning to the islands after I finish my enlistment in the Air Force. But the hike in animal quarantine fees is outrageous. It would put a pretty big dent in my paycheck.I almost fell down when I got a package last month on how much I would have to pay to bring my two dogs back to Hawaii. Maybe I have to tell my wife and child that, because we have to pay $1,600-plus for our pets to be quarantined, we won't be able to eat!
That's way too much. Why should I have to part with my pets because of an outrageous fee like that?
The state better remember to take care of people, not only the locals but those who serve in the military and then come back to live.
Tyler Wong
Tacoma, Wash.
Via the Internet
Hawaii's Puerto Ricans deserve to party
As a Puerto Rican, I was proud to read your Dec. 23 story about plans to celebrate the centennial of the Puerto Rican community in Hawaii, which has been a part of the United States for as long as Puerto Rico -- since 1898.We share many of the problems that afflict a non-contiguous, culturally diverse and tourism-dependent jurisdiction of our nation.
Two years ago, when I was selected in Honolulu as the first Hispanic to serve as chairman-elect of the Council of State Governments, I was able to meet personally with hundreds of Puerto Ricans in Hawaii. I saw for myself how they have struggled to preserve their cultural traits more than 5,000 miles away from the islands of Puerto Rico.
As they celebrate their centennial in a tropical home-away-from-home, Puerto Ricans in Hawaii deserve the admiration of their 3.8 million fellow Puerto Rican-Americans in Puerto Rico. Likewise, the Star-Bulletin deserves thanks for publicizing such an important celebration.
Sen. Kenneth D. McClintock
Cidra, Puerto Rico
Via the Internet
Quinn should have made list of influential
Was Gov. William F. Quinn not mentioned deliberately, even in passing, in your "100 Who Made a Difference" series?In one item about Chief Justice Wilfred Tsukiuyama, you note that he was appointed but didn't say by whom. Jack Burns was prominently covered, but there was no mention that, in his first attempt to be elected governor in 1959, he was defeated by Quinn -- the last appointed and first elected governor of Hawaii.
In his more than seven years as governor, Quinn made a lot of news. Did someone in your newspaper morgue destroy all that news?
George Mason
Via the Internet
Reggie Carter was great Hawaii athlete
Thank you for the kind words about Reggie Carter in your Dec. 30 issue. It is a shame someone so young had to pass so soon. In his brief time here, he excited fans and showed what he later would become. His talent at such a young age has never been seen again in Hawaii.Jeffrey Tilley
Kailua
Via the Internet
Hawaiians must be careful whom they elect
All those who qualify to vote for Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees should be very careful about whom we elect into office. some of the trustees should not be serving, because they are not putting the interests of the people first.I invite all Hawaiian voters to be more aware, to closely follow the issues, to be open minded and to pray. We can lose a lot of ground with some of the actions being taken.
Let us, the Hawaiian people, work to find our true leaders and monitor their works.
Roy M. Horner
Hoolehua, Molokai
Via the Internet
Quotables
"He will take us to greater
heights now. It's a very happy day for the
Kamehameha ohana, a wonderful
way to start the year 2000.
I'm sure the princess is
smiling tonight."Toni Lee
PAST PRESIDENT OF NA PUA A KE ALII PAUAHI
On the appointment of Hamilton McCubbin as the
first chief executive officer of
Kamehameha Schools
"Oh, I think I can learn
to love him yes, I can, whatever
he turns out to be."Kendra Bolduc
TV CONTESTANT
One of the island women hoping for a spot on the
Fox television special, "Who Wants to
Marry A Multi-Millionaire?"
Majority should rule in fireworks debate
A complete fireworks ban will not work. There aren't enough police officers and jail space to control the majority of people.It doesn't make sense that a few who do not agree with the freedom of others should dictate what the vast majority can and cannot do. The majority should rule, since the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.
A ban would be a dictatorial step for the people of Hawaii. Our elected officials should remember who gave them their power and who can take it back.
Brandon Imamura
Waipahu
Via the Internet
Birds were traumatized by human celebration
You've spent the bright day with your friends seeking your weight in grubs and seeds just to survive until tomorrow. You're exhausted, but life is good. As the sun goes down, you negotiate with all your chattering neighbors for a space on a branch of a familiar tree for the night; as darkness settles in, you close your eyes.Suddenly the welcome silence is shattered by a terrific blast! And then more and more, as flashes of light tear the night with the constant deafening explosions and the air becomes difficult to breathe!
You're terrified, uncomprehending. For you it's the end of the world. You survive until morning, but you may succumb to illness and die in your weakened state.
Ever noticed all the different types of birds in Honolulu? New Year's Eve wasn't a festive experience for them.
Maybe in the coming millennium we'll deign to notice that we live among thousands of other sensitive creatures. Maybe we'll leave behind not only racism but also specism.
R. Elton Johnson III
Via the Internet
Are harbor authorities watching for explosives?
On Dec. 6, 1917, during World War I, a ship loaded with munitions exploded in the harbor of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The death toll reached a horrifying 1,654.This past year, tons of illegal fireworks entered Honolulu. They had to come by ship or interisland barge.
I have two questions: 1) Did the harbor authorities even try to stop them? 2) Just how safe are our harbors -- from explosives or other illegal cargo?
Jonathan Morse
Via the Internet
Doctor was wrong about allowing fireworks
Although I enjoyed fireworks while growing up in Hawaii, I was a little surprised by Dr. Christopher Marsh's Jan. 4 letter on this issue. Contrary to what Dr. Marsh says, prohibition decreased the intake of booze in this country markedly. What didn't work was the policing of this.There is a prohibition on drinking while driving. Would he consider repealing this law? After all, there are many people who do this, too.
His analogy about forcing people to take their pills or getting flu shots and banning the use of fireworks is an illogical one, since it would be unlikely that anyone else would suffer in those other two situations.
Should those who have respiratory disease merely stop breathing during the New Year's celebration?
Clayton Ching, M.D.
Pasadena, Calif.
Via the Internet
Legislature Directory
Hawaii Revised Statutes
Write a Want to write a letter to the editor? Let all Star-Bulletin readers know what you think. Please keep your letter to about 200 words. You can send it by e-mail to letters@starbulletin.com or you can fill in the online form for a faster response. Or print it and mail it to: Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu, Hawaii 96802. Or fax it to: 523-8509. Always be sure to include your daytime phone number.
Letter to the Editor