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Threats from Sakata's friends were troubling

As I watched Board of Education member Keith Sakata express the personal turmoil he felt regarding his decision on the Chapter 19 amendments, it was his emotional expression that conveyed more than his words.

His voice cracked and his eyes welled up and reddened as he told a Channel 8 reporter that his longtime "friends" had called him to tell him that their friendship was on the line.

I was angered to see someone who was trying to do the right thing like Sakata -- protecting gay, lesbian and transgendered students from harassment -- subjected to the same hatred, hostility and threats. What he experienced was an example of the very hatred felt by the students asking for Chapter 19 protection.

I know Sakata ultimately voted his conscience and supported the amendments. As for his longtime "friends," I have only one thing to say to them: True friends don't hold friendships hostage for bigoted beliefs.

Yvonne Lau

Honolulu is not as populous as Calcutta

Stephany Sofos (Letters, Oct. 30) has been spending too much time listening to the presidential candidates. In her letter about the Ala Wai Golf Course, she is guilty of some fuzzy math in comparing Honolulu's core population density with that of Calcutta.

In her support for the need of a park in lieu of the golf course, she wrote, "Within a five-mile radius, there are approximately 450,000 people, residents and tourists who live and work in this (Waikiki) area. That equates to 90,000 people per square mile, higher than Calcutta's 85,000 people per square mile in India."

As most middle-school students would confirm, an area with a five-mile radius is not five square miles, the number she used to arrive at her 90,000 people per square mile figure. The area of a circle is pi (3.14) times the square of the radius; in this particular case, that would be 5 x 5 or 25.

The area she uses to make her case is actually more than 78 square miles, not five. The resulting population density would be somewhat less than 6,000 people per square mile, a far cry from 90,000. The numbers speak for themselves: two-plus-two equals FORE!

Chuck Pucevich
Mililani

Rainbow logo has historical meaning

I am a card-carrying member of the Na Koa Football Club of the University of Hawaii. On Jan. 1, 1940, I played my last game for UH against Oregon State University. Now, at age 82, I would like the privilege of commenting on some events that are factually skewed.

The use of the rainbow on the UH logo has been determined by certain decision-makers to imply an acceptance of the gay lifestyle. They should have done their homework on the history of the rainbow emblem.

The image represented much more than an identifier of sexual preference.

During World War I, Gen. Douglas MacArthur put together a new diversified Army division for the battle in Europe. He chose the rainbow as the division's insignia; thus was born the United States Army Rainbow Division.

Its soldiers also fought in World War II in Europe. They were glorified as warriors. As a player and spectator in the old Honolulu Stadium, I am a living observer of the rainbow we viewed over the university campus, which was the origin of the UH emblem.

There are many more honorable examples of references to the word rainbow. In our instance it is also legendary. Let's put the pieces back together again as it was. The rainbow had color, substance and legendary meaning.

Douglas H. Logan

Quotables "I'm trying to determine if they understand the issues or if it's a performance that they have spent time rehearsing." Adriana Ramelli REGISTERED OAHU VOTER On how she will decide whether to support Al Gore or George W. Bush in today's presidential election "Gannett calling another employer anti-union is the pot calling the kettle black." Wayne Cahill ADMINISTRATION OFFICER FOR THE HAWAII NEWSPAPER GUILD On the claim made by Michael Fisch, publisher of the Gannett-owned Honolulu Advertiser, that the aspiring owner of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, David Black of Canada, is unwilling to accept the union contract

Four stars to Leilehua's culinary program

I had the pleasure of being at the IBM workshop catered by the students of Leilehua High School's Culinary Academy (Oct. 25, Star-Bulletin). Not only was the food delicious and presentation appealing, but the students were well-mannered and articulate.

I don't know what these students' SAT scores are, but their performance and product indicated they were above average in a multitude of skills and concepts. We as a community must embrace this trend in education -- real-life learning experience. Hats off to the students and teachers who push out the walls of the classroom and let in the real world.

Shari Chan

Don't single out Catholic Church

I'd like to comment on Mitchell Kahle's Oct. 27 letter, "Catholic Church has history of sexual crimes." I have no doubt that Roman Catholics (lay people, religious, ordained clergy) in all positions have committed sexual offenses, criminal or not, against themselves and others.

I also believe that what hit the courts and press is just the tip of the iceberg. Kahle is right by stating that the Roman Catholic Church has had its problems with criminal sex offenders, ordained or not. Criminal sex offenders need to be justly dealt with.

On the other hand, people of all religious beliefs -- Christian and non-Christian -- are no better or worse. Atheists and agnostics don't fare any better. Sexual offenses and crimes against others have been around as long as homo sapiens. The situation won't change.

It's irresponsible and myopic to single out a single institution as overtly troubled with people who are criminal sex offenders in pedophilia or anything else.

Lawrence M.O. Chun
Kailua

How can debt, surplus exist at same time?

I don't understand the hullaballoo about tax cuts promised by George W. Bush and to a lesser degree by Al Gore. We don't even know whether there will be a surplus to be returned to the people -- and knowledgeable people are saying there is a better chance there won't be a surplus.

But should there be a surplus, we are for paying down our national debt! How can the United States have a debt and a surplus at the same time? When I have an unpaid bill, I cannot honestly say I have a surplus in my bank account. Can you? Or are you going to spend your "surplus" and leave your debts to your children to pay?

Yoshie Tanabe
Waipahu

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