EDITORIAL
Who deserves the 2003 grinch award?
It's that unavoidable time of year when we look back at all the people whose grinch-like behavior spoiled our fun, offended our sense of decency or contributed to downright hardship.
Right off the bat, we'd like to nominate the University of Florida Gators for stealing the 'Bows' Christmas. Sour grapes? You bet.
With that off our chests, let's move along to HMSA, which might have won the grinch award hands-down if things hadn't turned around for the Hawai'i Barber and Barber Stylists Association.
Without citing any reason, the Hawai'i Medical Service Association gave notice to the hui of 50 barbers it had covered for 42 years, that it planned to cancel their policies at the end of the year.
But after an article about their plight appeared in The Advertiser this week, HMSA told the barbers to ignore the notice. Mazel tov.
And how about those University of Hawai'i regents who have declared an open season on UH President Evan Dobelle? We'd like to see some collegiality and seasonal good fellowship change the direction of that relationship.
Leeward Community College also raised some eyebrows when it abruptly terminated the contract of its Wai'anae satellite campus coordinator, Lucy Gay, despite rave reviews of her performance.
After a hue and cry from the Wai'anae community, Gay has been appointed director of Wai'anae educational opportunities at the satellite campus.
And Gov. Linda Lingle inched toward grinchdom earlier this year when she vetoed more than $3 million in funding to health and social services programs, including $500,000 to youth service centers in Kalihi.
Bear in mind that her administration has put the war on ice high on its agenda. We can guarantee kids won't be steered away from drugs if we get rid of youth recreation and after-school programs. Thankfully, the Legislature overrode that veto.
A touch of the grinch even crept into the happy Whoville administration of Mayor Jeremy Harris, which tried to change the rules on bus passes for seniors and the disabled, and to evict the homeless from public gathering places without offering an alternative. This from the folks who give us Honolulu City Lights? It must be the Grinch.
Meanwhile, anonymous grinches stole a 50-year-old Martin 'ukulele from the hula studio of Puanani Alama, and a signature baritone 'ukulele from entertainer Kahauanu Lake's studio. No fun at all. Fortunately, Lake's 'ukulele was returned.
And there have been other mean-spirited thefts. In September, thieves made off with a colorful Hale'iwa North Shore sign designed to lure motorists off the highway into the quaint surfer town. One grinch last month actually stole a wheelchair ramp from a Kaimuki Avenue home.
How low is that?
Now, if you'd like to nominate your own 2003 grinch, send us a letter or e-mail. The addresses are on the bottom of this page. But hurry, Christmas is coming.
