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Tuesday, December 18, 2001



Is impartiality used against UH Warriors?

Star-Bulletin Sports Editor Paul Arnett has given reasons why Hawaii may have been lucky to beat Fresno State and Brigham Young, thus the Warriors may not deserve a national ranking (Star-Bulletin, Dec. 10).

One question: Does he nit-pick this way for every team he has voted for or is this his way of showing impartiality? If the later is the case, he has done the UH Warriors an injustice.

Cris Camit

Are we holding back to help Nevada economy?

It is mind-boggling that we are told this state is in an economic crisis, and that gambling is not the answer for any economic solution. Yet we still have companies like Vacation Hawaii, which has sold out charters to Las Vegas way past the holidays, taking Hawaii people to support the Nevada economy.

We are asking the local people to support the local economy, yet gambling attracts them to another state that is known for its gambling. We have so much to offer with our environment and our hospitality; what is wrong with another attraction? Or is it that we really don't want gambling because we might infringe on Nevada's economy and the businesses and people they employ here to get our people over there?

Thomas Toyozaki

Bunda should make no decisions at luaus

Yikes! I just about drowned in my cereal bowl when I read that Senate President Robert Bunda said gambling should be legalized because "when I go around my community and go to luaus, birthday parties, weddings and see my family, no one tells me they have a problem with gambling coming."

Is this how far-reaching decisions that affect Hawaii are made by esteemed legislators who represent us?

Perhaps, after all da kine fun socializing, the Senate president can spend a little time reading and researching on this issue. There are tons of materials out there that point to gambling creating bigger societal problems than the supposedly big money it would bring.

Choon James
Laie

Father could learn from son's respect

As I entered Aloha Stadium I could feel the excitement building for the Hawaii-Brigham Young football game. As the crowd arose for the playing of the "Star Spangled Banner" I witnessed a scene that has stuck with me.

Standing in front of me was a young boy, maybe 10 years old, and his father. As the band started to play the national anthem the boy respectfully removed his cap and placed it over his heart. His dad kept his cap securely on his head while he continued to eat his popcorn during the anthem.

At the end the son looked up at his father and said nothing. I hope the lesson learned here was the father's from the son.

Richard Kindelon
Kailua


[Quotables]

"The fasting is a reminder of the many who are underprivileged. It makes us feel what they feel all year long."

Hakim Ouansafi

President and chairman of the Muslim Association and the Islamic Center of Hawaii, explaining the holy month of Ramadan, which ended Sunday with the feast of Eid al-Fitr.


"It's not a profitable year for us, but then again, it's not a profitable year for a lot of people. We realize and understand what a lot of people are going through."

Cliff Laboy

Christmas tree vendor, on how the poor economy has affected sales. Laboy, who has been selling trees on Oahu since 1986, brought in fewer trees this year in anticipation of slower sales, but still made his yearly donation of at least 300 trees to various charities.


Environmental effort is not about jobs

Your article about the unemployed being hired for pest control completely digressed from an environmental point of view to a people point of view ("227 unemployed since Sept. 11 start pest control jobs," Star-Bulletin, Dec. 2). When is Hawaii going to get past that and start focusing on what keeps us alive -- the Earth? We need it.

Did you know that one-third of America's endangered species exist on these islands? The amount of biodiversity we have here is tremendous, 50 times greater than that on the Galapagos Islands -- and they have better conservation measures in place.

So instead of digressing into all these money issues, why don't we focus on the long-term protection of these precious biological gems?

Homeowners who aren't involved in policy-making can help by planting a native Hawaiian garden.

Shaunti Kiehl
President, Kanaka'aina
Hawaii Pacific University

Mufi sees economy, jobs as city's function

I know why I am supporting Mufi Hannemann for mayor. When he ran last year he explained the importance of the mayor being involved in economic development and creating jobs for the citizens of the state's largest county. Many thought at the time that this was strictly a state function.

It seems that only after the tragedy of Sept. 11 and the economic repercussions we are experiencing are we beginning to appreciate the wisdom and foresight that Hannemann would have brought to the office. It is amusing that the No. 1 issue that the Johnny-come-lately mayoral candidates now point to as their priority is the economy.

I know of only one candidate with a proven track record of being involved in economic development and creating jobs -- Mufi Hannemann. We need him now more than ever.

Ann Nakamura

Politicians use agency to attack opponents

Mayor Jeremy Harris is the latest victim of the politically motivated smear campaigns being waged by the Campaign Spending Commission. I believe it is undemocratic that the commission has been trying people in the press and destroying their reputations. I also think it's time for the commission to either be disbanded or be brought under control.

We must put an end to the use of the office for political purposes and must no longer allow the commissioners to be used by other people who have an axe to grind or want to hurt one of their opponents.

This is the kind of kangaroo court that you would expect in a non-democratic country. This is not what you would expect in a democracy. If they can do this to Harris today, they can do this to Gov. Ben Cayetano tomorrow. They can do it to Linda Lingle the next day and they can do it to anybody who they feel like doing it to depending on the political motivations of the person who is running the commission.

Mary Malia






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The Star-Bulletin welcomes letters that are crisp and to the point on issues of public interest. The Star-Bulletin reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and length. Please direct comments to the issues; personal attacks will not be published. Letters must be signed, must include a mailing address and daytime telephone number.

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