Posted on: Monday, December 29, 2003

Letters to the Editor

Traditional marriage is society's foundation

Michael Golojuch Jr. tries to convince us in his Dec. 19 letter that traditional marriage is under siege. It's true that divorce and domestic abuse rates are high, and it's also a fact that shows like "The Bachelor" are crass and cheapen the institution of marriage.

But even with all these problems, traditional marriage will always be the foundation of our society. We can never get away from the fact that a married man and woman are best suited to create a harmonious and loving relationship for each other and their children.

Golojuch should quit pointing his finger at brave community leaders such as Mike Gabbard and instead take a look in the mirror. According to the latest numbers from the Department of Health,

82 percent of the AIDS cases in Hawai'i in 2002 were caused by men having sex with men.

Isn't it about time that the homosexual community face up to the fact that its lifestyle is leading it down a path of death and destruction?

Explosion of lawsuits just waiting to happen

Living in 'Ewa Beach, I heard the first fireworks explosion on Dec. 22. The following night, between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m., there were multiple explosions of aerial fireworks. On Christmas Eve, there were even many more.

At about 11 at night on Christmas Eve, an explosion rocked 'Ewa Beach so loud, it could be felt in the shower of my home. There wasn't a doubt in my mind that, if placed strategically, that explosive could have brought down a multiple-story structure. It was that bad.

If law enforcement can't deter the illegal use of fireworks, how can we trust they're capable of deterring the threat of terrorism? Responding to an explosion after it happens is too late. And, as many citizens have experienced, the police rarely respond to or act on reports of fireworks.

It amazes me in this day of litigation that many lawsuits aren't brought against the city and state in fireworks-related illnesses and injury. And to all those government officials and representatives who advocate the use of fireworks, may your holidays be filled with noise and smoke.

Leave animal flesh out of cattle diets

Everyone who reads your newspaper must know by now that mad cow disease is spread when cows are fed the diseased brains or nervous systems of infected cows. Do readers also realize that cows are herbivores? If you'll pardon the pun, this seems like a "no-brainer" to me. Cows should not be eating animal flesh at all.

I grew up on a family farm and we fed our cattle grain and hay from our own fields. It is not nostalgia but rather good public policy to support small farmers raising free-ranging animals without antibiotics or growth hormones.

Democracy alive under Lingle's leadership

Taking into consideration the massive budget difficulties Gov. Linda Lingle inherited, she has done an admirable job in narrowing it.

Lingle is also a compassionate individual who listens really well to the concerns of the community. That is a rare and unique characteristic of someone in such a high position.

All in all, I strongly feel Lingle is doing a fine job and feels she deserves a second term just by looking at the way she handles issues. Democracy is definitely alive and well in Hawai'i under the leadership of Linda Lingle.

Embrace change; details in proposal will come

I don't get it. Gov. Linda Lingle's school reform plan is being slammed by some because it doesn't have minute details of what will happen at each future step.

I'm young, sports is my life. If you have a bunch of losing seasons you look to fix it. But, no one asks the new coach, "Hey, next year on Nov. 15th, in the third quarter, on 2nd & 8, 'What play you going to run?' "

No, you hire someone based on experience, track record and a common agreement on the general philosophy. But, you don't stick with the old regime forever just because you're afraid of change.

To my teachers and coaches: Yes, I've been a part of some wonderful things in my educational life thanks to you. But hey, there was a wonderful dance band on the Titanic, too.

We can promote surfing, maintain beach access, too

As the head of a blue-ribbon panel formed at the request of the City Council to examine the rules governing shore water events on the North Shore, I'm all in favor of people expressing their views on the subject of public access to big-wave surf.

But when a fellow member of the panel distorts my views in an obvious attempt to turn public opinion against the promotion of surfing events on O'ahu, I'm obliged to set the record straight.

Gil Riviere of the Let's Surf Coalition claims in his Nov. 28 letter that I am trying to promote an "international surf carnival" that, he says, would overwhelm the North Shore and prevent the broader public from enjoying the finest beaches in the world. I have never said nor suggested anything of the kind.

Here's an overview of some of my views regarding the role of surfing in the context of the city's economic development plans:

• Surfing events should play a significant role in a diversified sports tourism industry on O'ahu.
• O'ahu is failing to fully capitalize on the mystique of the Islands as the birthplace of surfing, allowing other destinations to challenge us in an area where we ought to be the world's market leader.
• A well-managed surfing industry in Hawai'i could ease the congestion at popular North Shore sites by better promoting other surf spots throughout the island.
• We should strive to ensure participation for our local "Hawai'i Grown" surfers to these events, not exclude them through restrictive access rules dictated by outside organizations, and we should provide venues for a wide mix of amateur and professional events that take into account the needs of our future generations and recognition of all genders.
• The city has a role to play in promoting shore water events by setting the highest standard for all events held on the island, investing in critical infrastructure and making sure that activities take place in a safe and friendly environment.

It's time for everyone involved in amending the rules governing the future of surfing events on O'ahu to move from a conflict to a collaborative model of engagement. Promoting surfing and preserving beach access is not an either/or proposition.

Surfing is part of the cultural fabric of our Islands, and we all have a stake in making sure that we maintain public access as we share our legacy with the rest of the world.

We can start by honoring the legendary Duke Kahanamoku, commemorating his accomplishments as the father of modern surfing and celebrating his dedication to the perpetuation of our host culture.

Finally, we should build a world-class Surfing Hall of Fame that honors Duke and all our great surfers who have followed in his footsteps and recognizes the Hawaiian culture that, after all, invented surfing.

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Coach Jones takes beating for brawl

Only winning matters

Coach Junes Jones and the University of Hawai'i football team owe an apology to the people of Hawai'i. The behavior of the team following the win over Houston was simply disgusting. On national TV, following numerous commercial messages about the paradise we live in, viewers were treated to a spectacle normally seen in street riots and English soccer games. Even the Mainland TV announcers were embarrassed.

Assuming some UH players were provoked, no one on the field seemed to show the leadership required to stop the fighting from spreading. I'm reminded of the Cincinnati game when a similar melee broke out; Coach Jones stood on the far side of the field with a look on his face that showed absolutely no concern. No statement was made after the game to explain to the fans what had happened and why it won't happen again, just some shrugging of the shoulders and more talk about the team's execution. That's because I don't believe that any significant action was taken at that time. It was bound to happen again.

As a fan, all I see coming from the team is that it's all about execution. Execute the June Jones strategy, keep trying to win games by running his offensive system, and that's about it. Do well and he has the ability to make that all-important phone call to that NFL connection. There's never any indication, in the press at least, about how UH football is teaching the players to become responsible young men.

I may be wrong about this, but I believe that Jones' approach is similar to that of a pro coach. Misbehavior is not his concern. He cares only about performance on the field, execution and winning more games than he loses. I know that not all of the players participated in this embarrassment, but that doesn't matter. Jones is responsible, and he doesn't show much concern about it.

Prove me wrong, Coach Jones. Stand up in public and tell the fans that your players are going to be held to a higher standard.

Sportsmanship still counts in my book, and I won't attend another UH football game if the team continues to be populated with (along with some talented young gentlemen) street punks and undisciplined, low-class losers.

Be mindful of image

After watching the high-scoring and action-packed football game between the University of Hawai'i Warriors and the University of Houston Cougars, I was greatly disappointed in the brawl that broke out between the two teams.

This shows a lack of discipline on the coaching staff of June Jones to have players fighting like that, and it makes the state of Hawai'i look bad. This is not the first time the team has gotten into fights after games, and I hope that appropriate disciplinary actions are taken against players and coaches.

Since there are so many incentives in Coach Jones' new contract, there should be a clause where pay can be deducted for the rotten job he is doing in teaching sportsmanship.

The highlights on ESPN about the game are deeply marred by the images of the fighting, and this is the image that is now all over the country.

Is this the image that the University of Hawai'i wants displayed to the world?

Show some class

What is it with the Warriors? Remember the University of Cincinnati game? Is it really necessary to end a great game with a childish, classless brawl? Are the Warriors really the undisciplined street hoodlums they portray at the end of bowl game wins on national TV? Come on guys, you are better than that. Show a little class!

Do the job right

Hey, Coach June Jones! You want the refs to show your players how to be true sportsmen? No problem. Fork over your $800K salary and I'm sure they'll do the job right.