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What's the fuss over unearthing of bones?

After reading Jon Yoshimura's Aug. 4 View Point, "Hannemann's push for burial panel is self-serving political move," I couldn't help but think that it's just politics. What is all this bickering about 100-year-old bones every now and then, anyway?

In several countries in Europe, a family buys a plot, puts an iron fence around it with a gate, takes care of the plot, and rakes the leaves every Saturday even before a loved one is buried in it. After 25 years, the plot does not belong to the family anymore.

The marble plate with names and dates is taken away, as is the black marble or granite frame that encases the raised grave. Then someone else will be buried on top of those bones. And that is in a large country, not on an island.

I could go on about what the Russian army did to the graves and churches -- how some were turned into drinking establishments and hardware stores after World War II. I remember a place where bodies were viewed when I was a child. It is now a bar and has been for 50 years.

Elisabeth L. Kim
Mililani

Fonseca does lots of pro bono work

Your Aug. 10 story about Jerel Fonseca left out a few details, which he is too modest to share. He has been a volunteer at our free monthly legal clinic at the Institute for Human Services since February 1998. He has represented those who are homeless, those without any family support, and those who just need a helping hand to move out of poverty.

He almost always says "yes" to our pleas for help and there are many. He is a selfless and very giving individual.

Judy Sobin
Executive Director
Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii

Quotables "Mazie, it is so good you could be here." President Clinton WHO GAVE HIS FAREWELL ADDRESS YESTERDAY AT THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION IN L.A. Greeting a stunned Lt. Governor Hirono by name while shaking hands with well-wishers, including those from Hawaii "It was just neighbors being neighbors." Richard Thomas COUSIN OF DINO ARADO After Arado was shot to death while checking on a fight at his neighbor's home in Mililani "Why buy the cow if you know the milk is sour?" Tom Arnold COMEDIAN/ACTOR WITH A GUEST SPOT ON "BAYWATCH HAWAII" When asked if he'll get the magazine with nude pictures of his ex-wife, Roseanne

Women's volleyball coach deserves more pay

Since the University of Hawaii Stan Sheriff Center opened for business six years ago, the volleyball program has generated big bucks. It has produced a hefty profit of about $6 million and has outdrawn the basketball program by a whopping 400,000 fans.

This trend will continue unless something unforeseen occurs.

Thus, it is perplexing why the recommended coaching salary ranges for women's basketball is from $71,388-135,630, while Wahine volleyball is from $51,53-107,630. That is a huge difference of $19,888 at the front end, and a whopping $28,000 on the back end.

Obviously, these ranges came from the mainland, where basketball is big time while volleyball struggles in the minor leagues.

If the salary ranges were determined by what transpires here, Wahine volleyball should at least command a coaching salary range comparable to that of women's basketball.

Brian Gimmalero, women's volleyball coach at Long Beach State, has won three national championships and receives a salary of $100,000 per year. Dave Shoji has won four national championships and makes a salary of about $70,000. Please note that Long Beach State averages 40,000 fans per season; UH averages a national record of 150,000.

Over at the University of Tennessee, women's basketball Coach Pat Summitt commands a bigger salary than the men's basketball coach because of the big bucks her team generates.

Since UH athletic officials seem steadfast in their positions, the Board of Regents should take a closer look at Shoji's 25-year tenure and find a salary range commensurate with his notable achievements.

L.M. Higa

Head of paroling panel is doing great job

Kudos to Al Beaver and the other members of the Hawaii Paroling Authority for their decision that Albert Ian Schweitzer must serve 130 years before being considered for parole.

Politicians and various government officials enjoy taking credit for the drop in crime statistics. However, I firmly believe that Beaver, since becoming director of the authority, is the person in the criminal justice system who is responsible for single-handedly decreasing crime in our state.

He has consistently administered justice with the primary concern for the greater good of our citizens. He is never duped by convicts and defense attorneys in their attempt to recycle criminals to prey upon the community. The law-abiding people of Hawaii owe him a debt of gratitude.

Earl Arakaki
Ewa Beach

Campaign funding destroyed Reform Party

I was saddened to see what happened to the Reform Party at its convention. The party used to stand for principled leadership. It demanded that its officers not be corrupted by the lure of campaign dollars.

This week, however, the Reform Party split into two factions, each fighting over $12 million of taxpayer money. Fist fights, lawsuits and the loss of prominent members are tearing it apart.

The Reform Party had so much potential to change the way candidates are elected. Ironically, it is campaign funding that is destroying the party. It has become just another special interest group fighting for federal handouts.

I invite true reformers, who believe politicians should live by principles, to join the Libertarian Party. Our presidential candidates do not accept federal funds

Jerry Murphy

Boycott football games to protest new logo

If June and the boys on the UH football team cannot handle the so-called gay connection of a rainbow, they shouldn't have come here to play.

When I think of a rainbow, I think of a misty rain, its clean feeling and its beauty. I think this is true of many people in Hawaii.

This name fiasco is like the governor coming out and changing the name of the Hawaiian Islands to something like the Rainbow Islands, with the reasoning that our ethnic makeup is now a wide range of color.

Perhaps we should register our dislike of the new UH nickname and logo by boycotting the games and the new logo items for sale.

Henry Pundyke
Kaneohe

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