Brainstorm! Challenge

---

Warriors' mascot too noisy and mean

I am a recent graduate of the University of Hawaii and I believe that we need to replace our current mascot, Vili the Warrior. He is rude, taunts the opposing team and shouts on national television that our opponent is not welcome. I suggest that we get a handsome, spirited and friendly college student to play the part of Vili.

In addition, the little kids banging on the drums with Vili on the sidelines just creates a bunch of unwanted noise. We do not need little kids or Vili banging and making noise on the drums when we have a hard-working, polished, talented UH marching band.

These are university football games. Use the UH band, use a college student for our mascot and get rid of Vili the Warrior. He does not represent the aloha spirit of Hawaii.

Jennifer Chang
Kaneohe

Mayor unfairly punted cops' raises to Council

The city administration was unwilling to carry out its budget and finance responsibilities with regard to police pay. Instead, the mayor tossed the vehicle weight/police pay issue to the City Council for a yes or no vote -- no options. The administration's testimony at the hearing was pathetic, but the Council members passed the bill to the delight of the mayor. Their actions prove the wisdom of Mayor Harris's strategy to put them in a corner.

For Harris to push off the police pay raises to the Council and propose to fund the raises with a vehicle weight tax demonstrates the administration's disregard for its own budgetary authority and responsibility and its contempt for the Council. Nevertheless, since the Council had only one brave soul (Charles Djou) who voted against this tax increase, it deserves the contempt of the mayor and the taxpayers.

No policy group should ever accept the assertion that "there is no other option" than to raise taxes. There are always options.

Unfortunately, the police officers got used as enforcers in this little game between the Council and the mayor. The hearing chamber was filled with officers during a time when our state is on high alert. Yet the Council had already approved the pay increase earlier this year. Police and the Council members should be smart enough to see when they are being used and put the pressure on the mayor, where the budget allocation decision was properly to have been made.

Paul E. Smith
Honolulu

Students feel stressed, but have more options

Kristen Madsen did well in presenting her perception of the plight of today's secondary students ("Exhausted students can't take longer day," Letters, Dec. 25). I fear, however, that she may not enjoy the degree of sympathy she is eliciting from other than her peers.

Many readers, during their youth, did not have benefit of the necessities of today (cars, TV, movies during the week, X-boxes, Walkmans, DVD players, and so on) to complicate their lives. They went to school at 8 a.m. and got out at 3:45 p.m., only to go home to the same homework Madsen refers to.

They had time for extra-curricular activities, sports and a social life, but they didn't have as many activities available that students have today. What many now have is the knowledge and appreciation, amassed over the years, about the importance of education.

Identifying the Department of Education as the culprit behind the longer school day is misdirected. It appears that the driving forces for extended school hours are requirements levied upon the Department of Education in proposed changes to graduation requirements and new federal requirements associated with No Child Left Behind.

The teachers, administrators, TAs/EAs and other employees of the DOE also will be directly affected by any changes to school hours. The focus that everyone has is to prepare students, as best they can, for the day they finish formal education and step out into the "real world" to face life on their own. I hope that one day soon Madsen will understand this.

Bernard Judson
Kapolei

Ideal marriage does not depend on gender

What harm could there be in mixing religion into government and law in these enlightened times? Well, for example, one of the major religious controversies today is gay rights and (shudder) marriage.

Some churches thunder that gays are not equal citizens, that it is necessary for the good of God and country to deny gays basic rights and privileges, and to enforce those denials with prison if necessary. Fearful individuals go even further, advocating violence.

If these ideas remind you of the days of slavery and racist laws, don't forget that many churches once justified slavery.

I think we are missing a crucial difference -- between civil and church marriage. One, based on law, confers rights and obligations; the other, religion-based, offers moral and historical rules. Our courts are required to abide by principles of equal rights; our religions, at their best, follow the highest aspirations of love and wisdom.

An excellent marriage, it seems (from an ethical and community point of view), would offer mutual support and cooperation growing out of love. It would create a safe and nurturing environment for children and elderly relatives, ready to help those in need.

Can we focus on these values, as Jesus probably did, and let gender take care of itself?

Daniel Grantham
Haiku, Maui

What else will they tax, access to the beach?

We deserve a well-staffed, fully funded police force -- no question about that.

Our police officers should be paid well -- no question about that.

Our government seems to think that taxing the people for a specific use is a good idea. Big problem with that reasoning!

What will we tax for the next use? Beach access, freeway access, how about more gasoline taxes, higher land taxes, raise the excise tax, maybe declare a sunshine tax. Nothing is out of the question (or should I say "off the table" in today's lingo) when it comes to the quick fix.

We have had budget surpluses ... mishandled by Gov. John Waihee. We now have budget shortfalls ... being mishandled by all. Long-term fiscal planning with foresight and imagination is what Hawaii needs. What we have are politicians who would rather go play golf and schmooze with the big boys than use their time wisely and create the political solutions necessary for us to feel secure in their judgment.

"Let's send our trash to the mainland." That's a good one.

Douglas Schott
Maili

---

BACK TO TOP
|

[ BRAINSTORM! ] What should the city do with the elegant old sewage pump station? It's empty and fading, and now it's taking a beating from all the construction going on around it. The O.G. Traphagen-designed sewage pump station on Ala Moana Boulevard, more than a century old, is a monument to the glory days of municipal architecture, when city fathers took such pride in their community that even a humble sewage station became a landmark structure. Millions of tourists drive by it every year, and it's an embarrassing reminder of how poorly Honolulu treats its historic landmarks. Over the years, dozens of uses and excuses and blue-sky speculations have been suggested for the striking structure. Now we're asking you, Mr. and Mrs. Kimo Q. Publique, what should the city do with the elegant old pump building? Send your ideas and solutions by Jan. 15 to: brainstorm@starbulletin.com Or mail them to: Brainstorm! c/o Nancy Christenson Star-Bulletin 500 Ala Moana 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Fax: Brainstorm! c/o Nancy Christenson 529-4750