Posted on: Sunday, July 22, 2001

Editorial
Common sense, good ideas from Dobelle

One day does not a presidency make, but new UH President Evan Dobelle made a pair of inspired decisions this week.

The first was to override a policy that would have forced UH football fans to give up their entire season ticket if they wanted a refund for a Fresno State game that was moved from Saturday to Friday.

The other decision was Dobelle's recommendation that several Manoa campus buildings be named after well-known university figures. Rainbow Stadium would be renamed in honor of former baseball coach Les Murakami, a Hall-of-Famer.

The Center for Hawaiian Studies would be named for Gladys Brandt, a living treaure with honors as a Hawaiian leader, an educator and a moral compass for the community.

Then he suggested the Arts and Sciences building be named in honor of Allan and Marion Saunders, lifelong educators and civil rights champions. Dr. Saunders was an inspiration to a generation of World War II-era students who learned from him that public service is a noble and worthwhile cause.

It is common, and appropriate, for colleges to name buildings after those who contribut-ed to having them built. This is a little different: These honors are not so much for those who created a building; these people built a community.