Local commentators give better coverage

I was very unhappy with ESPN's lazy coverage of Warrior football. How about you?

The commentators seem to either not know much or care much about the offense and defense strategies in the games. They chat about inanities while someone -- unidentified -- lies injured on the field.

They seem to have done very little homework.

My solution for Saturday's Washington game is to mute the TV and tune to Bobby Curran and Robert Kekaula on 1420AM radio so you can hear a football game called the way it's supposed to be called.

Coach and his players behaved with class

Congratulations to the University of Hawaii Warriors. After 29 years in the Western Athletic Conference, Hawaii won its first outright football title last Friday night. I don't want to take anything away from my beloved Broncos, but on this particular night, the Warriors were a better team, period.

The team was obviously well-coached and pumped up for this game. The Warriors simply took advantage of every opportunity, and outplayed the BSU team.

UH quarterback Colt Brennan, although he won't win it, is a legitimate Heisman candidate, and he and his receivers will do well in the NFL. That green-and-black defense was just awesome. And June Jones was a class act. He mentioned several times what a good team he was facing.

I saw UH players congratulating Broncos after good plays, and although intensely competitive, there was obviously respect on both sides of the field.

The (UH fans wearing) the "Buck Foise" shirts? Well, not everyone can be as classy as the players and coaches were. I hope Hawaii beats Washington and gets into a BCS bowl. They are great champions and will represent the WAC well.

Cheers for UH coming from Idahoans, too

Congratulations Hawaii players, coaches and fans on your win against Boise State. Although we cheered for our beloved Broncos to the very end, our next thought was that it was now time to support Hawaii. We hope you take it to Washington convincingly and have your own date with destiny in the BCS on Jan. 1.

Recycling requires community caring

In response to the Nov. 21 letter regarding trash service: Not once did the letter writer talk about community. We live on islands with limited space and limited resources and a self-first attitude does nothing for the community as a whole. We ship in more than 90 percent of our energy and 95 percent of our food and continue to try "pilot" recycling plans.

We are like little children wanting everything right now and not looking at the consequences. The "me" mentality is a disease throughout the world, but in Hawaii, that thinking goes against everything that's amazing about the islands.

It's important to have the freedom to get what you want, but it's not more important than the community as a whole.

Consumerism can rob life of deeper meaning

I want to thank the Rev. Fritz Fritschel for his thought-provoking commentary on America's frenzied rush to gorge ourselves on goods of all kinds as if there was no end in sight ("On Faith" column, Nov. 24). It has become another form of validation that like any other addiction can never be fully satiated. Consumerism must be fed because it has become so tightly interwoven with our self-esteem and self-worth.

And why? Why do we need to have all of these "things" to feel alive? They have no heart, pulse or soul. Why do we need them so much? What part of us goes unfulfilled?

The answers can only be found in our own souls; for each of us the answer is different. If there's an empty space there try to get involved with issues at the local, national, or international level. While you're busy digging in, first educate yourself. Pray for peace by working for justice.

Here's a challenging topic to start with: The film "For the Bible Tells Me So" will play at the University of Hawaii next week. Watch it with an open mind and heart and stay for the discussion. If it's anything like "Trembling Before G-D" or "Jihad for Love," it's worth seeing. Deepen your understanding.

Make middle schools available to all kids

The children of North Oahu deserve the full benefits of education reform. Please support the formation of and access to middle schools for all of our children. North Shore students deserve middle schools just like every other school complex area in Oahu. Reform also means structural change. The structural changes have been mostly completed in urban Honolulu and outlying areas of Oahu. Middle schools are important and best support the emotional and educational growth of this unique age group, 10 to 15.

Only three high schools remain with grade 7-12 structure; Kahuku, Waialua and Nanakuli. These communities need to understand that resources are available through the Department of Education and the Legislature to facilitate removal of seventh and eighth grade from these schools. North Oahu communities and students have the right to demand modern, up-to-date, fully funded and staffed middle schools.

Makahiki observances flourish across Oahu

In a Nov. 21 letter, Hawaiian members of VFW Post 849 Waianae wrote that Makahiki ceremonies at Makua were not traditional. Anyone with a basic knowledge of Hawaiian culture knows that Makahiki was, and continues to be, an important season that celebrates first harvests and the return of the god Lono.

These ceremonies are happening all over Oahu, not just Makua Valley, and mark an important return to Hawaiian traditional values of aloha 'aina. These areas include Punaluu, Kualoa (Kualoa Regional Park), Mokapu (Kaneohe Marine Corp Base), Mokuumeume (Ford Island, Pearl Harbor) and Kapuaikaula (Hickam Air Force Base).

Hawaiian culture and beliefs continue to live and thrive. Start being active participants in your own culture and community! All Hawaiians and kamaaina who love this land are welcome to participate.