Media academy relies on generous gifts

Many thanks to the Star-Bulletin's Tim Ryan for breaking the news on NBC's generous gift of more than $100,000 in sound equipment and 35mm film to the University of Hawaii Academy for Creative Media (July 16).

One point I would like to clarify is that while this gift is the largest yet received from "Hollywood," (after director Roland Emmerich's $100,000 in cash), the ACM was really kick-started by two extremely kind cash gifts of $100,000 each from two local alumni foundations: the Roy and Hilda Takeyama Family Foundation and the Jay Shidler Family Foundation.

Without these crucial first gifts, the ACM would not be the reality it is today. In our first semester, the students produced 120 short films and four video games. To find out more and see some of our work, see www.hawaii.edu/acm.

Much mahalo to everyone for their continuing support and generosity!

Chris Lee
Chairman
Academy for Creative Media
University of Hawaii

Give Rusti freedom and a gal to romp with

Once again Rusti's owner, the Orangutan Foundation International, has stalled on getting their orangutan moved out of the substandard cage he has languished in for the last seven years at the Honolulu Zoo. On May 18, OFI's attorney told the Parks Committee that the president of OFI, Birute Galdikas, would sign the revised Memorandum of Agreement and pay for the cost of Rusti's habitat. Months later, however, OFI has refused to do either.

Rusti needs an enclosure that allows him to get off the concrete and climb. He also needs a female orangutan with whom to consort. Everyone should understand that confining a great ape in substandard conditions without a companion is terribly wrong and illustrates a lack of compassion. Taxonomically, orangutans are one of our closest living relatives and share many similarities with us, including the ability to make and use tools and build elaborate shelters.

We should all feel ashamed that Hawaii has enabled OFI to keep Rusti in less than ideal conditions for more than seven years. It is time for the City to take matters into their own hands and make arrangements for the transfer of Rusti to a reputable sanctuary on the mainland. Let's show the world that Hawaii cares for Rusti by being willing to put his needs before our own.

Linda Vannatta
Honolulu

Bumbling Bush isn't the best spokesman

Every time I hear George Bush speak, it makes me wince. Faced with an issue of any complexity or a four-syllable word, he knits his brow and enunciates so slowly and deliberately that he gives the impression that he is the student of a speech therapist, trying to remember what to say. He sounds like he's been scripted, but even so he stumbles over his words, and can't think on his feet.

Quite apart from his political views, it worries me greatly that he doesn't appear to be a very intelligent person. I'm an American who is embarrassed to have George Bush as his spokesman.

Bill Brundage
Kurtistown, Hawaii

Wie's LPGA exception was well deserved

Michelle Wie deserves exemptions to play in women's professional golf tournament's because she is not only an exceptional golfer, but a charismatic personality with awesome drawing power ("LPGA tour regulars had better get used to Michelle Wie," Editorial, July 9).

Think of the good she's doing for women's golf.

I would suggest that all complainants should go out and play "sour grapes" instead of playing golf.

Tetsuji Ono
Hilo

Using common sense would make life easier

What happened to simple common sense? It seems as though with every passing year, people have less and less common sense.

>> People park their cars in entrances or driveways when there are parking stalls available. If you do this and see someone trying to get through, the common sense thing to do: Move! Quickly!
>> People drive below the speed limit and hold up traffic because they're either lost or looking at their passenger while talking. The common-sense thing to do: Pull to the side so others can pass.
>> People lie to others but don't get their story straight. Isn't it common sense to try not to get caught?
>> People, mainly young girls, think being skanky will get them the world. Uh, it's common sense, you're just showing the world how empty you are.
>> People, mainly guys, think a car will get them a girl. It's common sense that all you're getting are those skanky, empty girls.

The point? Think before you speak or act. It will probably stop the laughter behind your back you've been hearing, or those fingers you might see in your rearview mirror.

Erin Ushijima
Honolulu

Let's be clear: It's the Harris administration

Your July 11 article about the snafus continuing at Hanauma Bay wasn't very clear on the fact that "the administration" you were criticizing was the Harris administration. It should be made clear to your readers that the cost overruns on construction were due in great part to late in the project changes made personally by Mayor Jeremy Harris. The Harris administration was told repeatedly by people at the park that the new trams wouldn't work. Still he pressed on to buy them.

His micro-management of the bay has caused numerous other problems. Any changes that need to be made have to go through the mayor's office. Even minor changes to the video shown to visitors to make its message clearer languish waiting in the hope that the next "administration" will be easier to deal with. I hope the next administration will actually listen to the people who run the park on daily basis.

Scott David
Kaneohe