UH football traditions usurped by insiders

When news anchor Joe Moore lamented recently the demotion of the "Hawaii Five-0" theme at University of Hawaii football games, he also raised an important question: "Who does UH football belong to anyway?"

Does it belong to those in the UH community who love and identify with the university, its traditions and programs? Or does it belong to a very small group of insiders who cavalierly and unilaterally changed the Rainbow name, its logo, its colors?

Who are these people, and are they in Hawaii for the long haul? Or will they leave us, like carpetbaggers, to wallow in what they have wrought when opportunity beckons them elsewhere?

People are concerned that a handful of individuals run UH football and that their motto appears to be "Tradition sucks, merchandising rocks!"

Anderson is needed on Maui council

Recent letters to the editor bemoan the lack of quality candidates. But there is one shining star at least for the South Maui County Council seat. Michelle Anderson has the experience, intelligence, compassion and dedication needed to outshine the rest.

She has been West Maui Councilman Wayne Nishiki's top aide for seven years and understands intimately the important issues facing the county.

Anderson has a 16-year background in government service. Among other jobs, she worked in the Hawaii State Office of Environmental Quality Control and was administrative assistant to the finance director of Chico, Calif. This dedicated single parent also considers herself an independent who will make decisions based on fact and research rather than partisan obligation.

Anderson has the commitment and fortitude to do a superior job, and without the learning curve that a new electee usually requires.

I believe Anderson will bring to our Council the intelligence, vision, caring and especially balance that are so badly needed in this decision-making body that determines the destiny of our island paradise. And, like Nishiki, she won't be afraid to ask questions.

Gabbard's Web site benefits isle voters

Whether Mike Gabbard wins this election or not, his Web site certainly deserves a prize. He not only discusses a wide variety of issues from education to Iraq, he successfully communicates his motivations and his values.

After visiting his Web site, I feel I really know Gabbard as a person and appreciate the effort he and his campaign have obviously put into developing his site.

I even listened to his beautiful songs, which express aloha for Hawaii's people and our aina. It's too bad other politicians don't put that kind of energy into their Web sites.

Gabbard too intolerant to represent Hawaii

I see the face almost everywhere I go on the Big Island: white hair backlighted to look like a halo, cold eyes, airbrushed complexion, predatory grin, the dark business suit overlaid with a lei to make him look "local."

Since Mike Gabbard has so imposed himself on me and my community, I think it is fit that I share the question I ask myself whenever I see his posters. With his intolerant views and divisive policies, could this be the face of fascism come to Hawaii?

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Newspaper insulted Hawaiians
by printing photos of
cave opening

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The Star-Bulletin's Aug. 26 and 27 issues that showed pictures of the broken entrance into Kanupa Cave in Kohala was sensationalized journalism. I have received numerous calls from Hawaiians who were very angry at the Star-Bulletin for showing the picture of the cave, and because the state of Hawaii and Hilo police did nothing to stop people going into the cave after it was broken into to disturb once again the iwi (bones) of the kupuna.

It is amazing how this newspaper can go to great lengths to sell more newspapers without regard for the sacredness and protection of the remains in the cave.

If this incident happened in Arlington Cemetery, there would be national investigations by all the agencies in the nation, but because it is Hawaiian, it tells us that we are second-class citizens and our culture doesn't matter.

In 1858, Joseph Emerson, a son of a missionary, found the pieces in Kanupa Cave, a burial cave for lesser Hawaiian chiefs. Emerson later sold the items to the Bishop Museum. Emerson was a plain thief and Bishop Museum received stolen items. Now Bishop Museum wants to be recognized as a Hawaiian organization. That's like letting the thief be in charge of the stolen treasure, and the chairwoman of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Haunani Apoliona, who sits on the museum board, thinks it's a good idea. Auwe!

When will this newspaper realize that it is in Hawaii and not the mainland, and when will it respect our culture? Only time will tell, and in the meantime we continue to be abused. The bottom line is those are the results of being occupied by a government that can only see white, their way is the right way. Hopefully, history will prove them wrong.