Although there have been leaks in the press over the University of Hawai'i Board of Regents' dissatisfaction with President Dobelle, his firing comes as a shock.

It is very hard to understand what he could have done that was so egregious under the official terms of termination, cited in your lead article: felony, mental instability, professional or moral turpitude.

The public has heard of disagreement, but never a whiff of this, other than a miscalculated, public statement in support of Mazie Hirono for governor. Can his dismissal really hinge on this? Reading between the lines, it might appear so.

I sincerely hope that board chairwoman Patricia Lee's promise — "The board is about fairness and openness" — will be realized in print. The public is owed a thorough and open examination into why, precisely, Dobelle was fired. The regents' ruling on this high-profile position, once understood, will have a very significant impact on the University of Hawai'i's ethical reputation.

Board's action shows its political nature

The unceremonious firing of UH President Evan Dobelle is a symptom of a deeply political and incompetent Board of Regents.

Members of the board have gone to great lengths to state they are "independent thinkers." One reason they must do this is that it is obvious political hacks predominate.

Dobelle should not have endorsed Mazie Hirono, but neither should Gov. Lingle's minions carry out retribution that harms university students in general and Hawaiian students in particular.

The board's actions ensure that the next president will be the paragon of mediocrity. It is unlikely that any person of talent and vision will subject himself to the petulance of the board.

Board showed lack of integrity, honor

The manner in which President Evan Dobelle's dismissal was handled is nothing short of a total disgrace.

To announce a termination publicly without speaking to the individual first and to time it so that the individual is away at a location in a time zone several hours later speak volumes about the lack of integrity and honor in which these regents conduct business.

I wonder how many outstanding candidates the University of Hawai'i thinks it can attract the next go-around when they see how we treat our presidents when their performance is not up to our expectations.

Dobelle put UH on a solid footing

This is an outrage. After decades of decline, Dr. Evan Dobelle has been able to restore to the University of Hawai'i solid grounds for feeling optimistic about the future of higher education in Hawai'i.

The action of the newly appointed Board of Regents, in a secret meeting, is a transparently vindictive political payback. Look at the record.

Since Dobelle arrived, enrollment is up, the faculty and Hawaiian studies programs are supported from the top down, athletics are competitive and the red ink is staunched; research funding has increased, the alumni have been innervated, the much-needed new medical school complex is becoming a reality, and the university system finally has obtained positive and exemplary leadership.

Each of us should raise our voice against this unreasonable action. In order for poor public policy to remain in place after it is announced, it is only necessary that the people keep silent.

Arguing with success

Evan Dobelle became UH president.

The medical school is being built.

Grants have increased.

Enrollment is up.

Fire Dobelle? Why?

Special-ed program was a real blessing

On June 5, my 17-year-old granddaughter graduated from Kailua High School through the Ho'okupono Program, a special-education program.

Were it not for the committed, capable, competent, compassionate and loving instructors at Ho'okupono, that fine young woman would be floundering in today's society.

Special-education programs such as Ho'okupono should not perish from Hawai'i.

Nay, they should flourish.

And be supported by the Department of Education and our legislators.

Teach surf etiquette

The Board of Education recently made surfing a school sport. Please instruct the teachers or coaches to teach the kids some surfing etiquette. There are a lot of surfers out there who have none.

Constant improvement

In response to Mr. Peter Hwu's May 22 letter claiming that the automobile that has not changed much in design over the last 100 years: By attending the yearly new-auto show in Honolulu, we can all experience the improvements in horsepower, style, comforts in ergonomics and convenience, whether it be a car, sports utility vehicle or pickup truck. Technology, along with the owner's feedback via the J.D. Power survey, can only result in a constant satisfaction of driving for many miles to come.

Reagans helped make our wish come true

I was living in Washington, D.C., while Ronald Reagan was president when my father was diagnosed with cancer and given a few months to live.

Dad idolized Frank Sinatra, so we contacted the Reagans to ask whether it would be possible to expeditiously acquire an autograph from their friend Mr. Sinatra. Quicker than one could sing "My Kind of Town," White House staff called to verify my father's address, assuring us that they would see what they could do to satisfy our request.

Within a few days, my father called with joy in his voice and tears in his eyes to proclaim that he had just received by special delivery an autographed photo of Frank Sinatra, with a message thanking my dad for his support through the years. This framed possession accompanied the Sinatra recordings that helped my father escape to a more pleasant place while he was in such pain during his final days.

I will always be grateful to the busy yet compassionate Reagans for this gesture of kindness toward a moribund stranger, and only regret that I cannot make Nancy's loss less painful for her. Her husband will be greatly missed, as we are all in his debt for having made our country a better and happier place.

Procurement bill doesn't impinge on UH autonomy

This is in response to your June 9 editorial "UH should not lose purchasing autonomy," wherein you claim that the bill requiring the University of Hawai'i to follow the state procurement code is fatally flawed and suggest that it offends the constitutional amendment that granted UH autonomy.

The bill is not unconstitutional.

The constitutional amendment you invoke does not grant the university "autonomy from such rules" as the procurement code. Article VIII, Section 6, of the Hawai'i Constitution confers to the university's Board of Regents exclusive jurisdiction over the internal structure, management and operation of the university, but reserves to the Legislature the power to enact laws of statewide concern, of which the Legislature has the exclusive jurisdiction to identify.

By approving House Bill 2136, the Legislature properly exercised its authority under Article VIII and determined that the procurement code was a law of statewide concern and that it was important that governmental entities, including the university, be required to follow the procurement code. The Legislature has determined that the code is necessary to achieve necessary public accountability in government procurement.

It is not true that the procurement code is in all instances cumbersome and adherence to it necessarily slows purchasing and construction. The code contains many options and alternative methods that allow flexibility when needed to acquire goods, services and construction.

Indeed, this bill does not impinge upon the university's autonomy because the UH president is the chief procurement officer for the university, and broad powers exist for the president to make the day-to-day procurement decisions and exercise the flexibility options that the code provides. The authority to determine which, if any, of the procurement methods are to be used lies with the president of the university.

Theft leaves dog without a ride, owner without means to earn living

I am writing in regard to a photo The Advertiser printed on Jan. 19: the gal on the moped with her dog Cali, taken by Deborah Booker.

Dawn Wright of Makiki gives her dog Cali, a mixed pit bull, a ride on her yellow moped in this January photo. Cali wears safety goggles. Advertiser library photo • Jan 18, 2004

Around June 7, someone stole her moped, which was parked right in front of her apartment on Poki Street. It is her only means of transportation and her way of making a living (delivering pizza).

I feel so bad for her and Cali. She misses riding with her. If you can show that picture again, people can look out for it so she can get it back. She is really hurting.