It's time to restore this memorial pool

Yes, it is time to repair and restore the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium to its full glory. We have deprived an entire generation from generating the same experiences we had and thereby, help to sever one more bit of our culture. By official negligence and our own apathy, we have dishonored those for whom this memorial was built.

Our moral obligation is to keep the trust to those who battled and whose names are forever etched on the stone plaque that guards the entrance to the Natatorium.

Sad and ashamed, Hawai'i was not represented in swimming in this year's Olympics. Our swimmers can start training and get into the next Olympics. Hawai'i is the land of swimmers Duke Kahanamoku, Buster Crabbe, Barney Pung, Bill Smith and others. Let's get started now.

Twenty years ago, in February 1984, the Friends of the Natatorium was organized to ensure the complete restoration and re-use of the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. The work is half complete. Now let us complete the project.

Passive crowds prove recordings don't cut it

Currently the UH band just sits there listening to canned (recorded) music to bring out the team.

When coach June Jones was hired a few years back, I couldn't believe it when canned music replaced the UH band after a score. No sound system can have the same impact as a band of 200 members cheering musically.

Look at the crowd after a score these days. Sure, they cheer, but it dies out in about 10 seconds. The band now even has to wait for commercials to finish on the JumboTron to begin playing.

When UH went to the Holiday Bowl in 1992, we were called the Rainbow Warriors ("Hawaii Five-O" was played). These days, we're called the Warriors and we have to invent a bowl game to get to one (less Five-0).

Coaches should coach, not choose the music

I have been a faithful UH football game attendee for over 15 years. However, after last Saturday's season opener, I may reconsider my attendance.

Oh, not the loss to Florida Atlantic University; that's relatively minor compared to the 0-12 season. But the continuing changes and disregard for tradition give the games a different and uncomfortable atmosphere.

I agree with Joe Moore: "Hawaii Five-0" should still be played at some points during the game. While it is not a "school" song, it is very closely associated with Hawai'i and has been a part of the UH band repertoire for many years. No other state could use it.

The new music, while contributed with the best of intentions, was unintelligible and mostly noise.

I also question the breadth of Coach June Jones' authority when he is able to dictate to the Music Department's band what will be used at football games. This is a situation similar to that of Coach Mike Wilton prohibiting the band and cheerleaders from participation in the men's volleyball games, thereby making these games much less exciting.

Perhaps both athletic programs would be better served if the coaches stayed with their own areas of expertise: coaching young men.

Assessing health effects depends on labeling

I would like to applaud Beverly Creamer for a very important article, printed on Sept. 10, on genetically engineered food in Hawai'i. In the article, Andrew Hashimoto, dean of UH's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, is quoted as saying "Since 1998 there's been 100 million pounds of transgenetic papaya in the state — the Rainbow and Sunup papaya — marketed ... so a lot of people in Hawai'i and on the Mainland have been eating this product with no documented health consequences."

This statement is extraordinarily misleading, for any scientist knows that a health study cannot be conducted on the effects of genetically engineered papaya if the papaya is not labeled.

How can researchers know if any illnesses are related to the effects of the papaya if they cannot determine what their study group is?

Without proper labeling, no health assessment can be made on the effects of these papayas. It is astounding that health assessments are made about pharmaceuticals but not on genetically engineered papayas.

'Passion for the people' makes Hannemann qualified

The top two Honolulu mayoral candidates can be summarized into "passion for the people of O'ahu" versus "honesty and change." To me, being passionate for a cause is one of the best criteria in determining the leadership capabilities of a CEO of a corporation, and in this case the mayor (or CEO) of Honolulu.

Passion does not mean to bully or to intimidate, but rather a sincere and honest desire to work toward a vision established by listening to the people, understanding the issues and formulating a plan of action.

Mufi Hannemann has the characteristics that will protect the people of O'ahu.

His past experience, coupled with his desire to do the right change, will develop a legacy of which we can be proud.

Mufi has the capacity, the commitment and energy to ensure that the trust we place in him will best represent the people of O'ahu.

Thanks from champs to those who helped

As proud parents of the Babe Ruth O'ahu 14s, we would like to extend a big mahalo to each and every person who supported the team while on its way to capturing the World Series title in North Carolina ("O'ahu 14-year-olds win World Series title," Aug. 29).

We would especially like to thank traveling coaches Eric Kadooka, Kyle Shimabukuro and Nolan Terayama for their dedication.

While the experience was certainly as awesome for them as it was for the players, many sacrifices were made to see this team through to the final championship game. The coaches gave up time with their families and took extended leave from work.

To that end, we would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the employers of our coaches: Limtiaco Consulting Group, Higa Meat and Pork Market and Ted's Wiring Service.

These companies provided the coaches an extraordinary amount of time off as the team played in the Pacific Southwest Regional and World Series tournaments. Thank you for your sacrifices and for your investment in Hawai'i's youth.

Also, our thanks go out to coaches Garrett Suehiro and Ian Arakaki for their many contributions.

Winning the national championship will be an experience these 12 young men will never forget. Mahalo from the Bninski, Coronas, Ishida, Kiriu, Kometani, Kunita, Lee, Snieder, Suiter, Taga, Tanaka and Yamamoto families.

Transportation debate: What do we really want?

Linda Frysztacki makes a good point in her letter from the Sept. 8 edition: that residents deserve the right to choose the means by which they travel from home to work, play and worship.

But the reality is that because we live on an island and must make careful, lasting decisions as to any of the priorities that a growing population such as ours must face, "transportation included," Ms. Frysztacki is only shedding light on a portion of the problem.

It's my opinion that this is where government generally steps in. We as voters have failed to implore our elected officials to do their jobs in this respect. Government was designed to seek, outline and deduce by means of public input, the order of priorities for the types of "rights" to which Frysztacki refers. In this case, our rights for choices of transportation.

Basically, we as voters have not made clear what our priorities are with respect to the transportation modes we prefer. What do O'ahu's residents want as a priority in transportation options? Do we want the freedom to drive in a private vehicle at all times? Do we want the choice of an extensive public transportation system? Or do we have other alternatives? Any combination of the different alternatives that are available will require an honest inventory of voters' choices. And are we prepared to live with whatever consequences may result in the future from such a choice in these priorities?

In cities where several transportation preferences exist, government has stepped in by fulfilling its purpose to seek, outline, and prioritize certain modes of transportation that satisfy the stasis that is essential to a community's livelihood, but always with an eye toward the popular priority.

O'ahu's residents should make clear what transportation solution should be prioritized — though residents should also be prepared to pay for it.

The debate shouldn't be about what's better. The debate should be about what O'ahu residents want.

Help rescue women's panel

For the second time in two years, the Hawai'i State Commission on the Status of Women (HSCSW) is fighting severe budget cuts imposed by the governor.

The commission is the only state agency that advocates for laws and develops programs to address women's concerns and needs.

In 2003, when Gov. Lingle first tried to restrict funds for the commission, I helped draft a letter to the governor in support of the commission signed by the House co-chairs of the Women's Legislative Caucus. In addition, a number of my colleagues and I participated in a sign-waving rally in front of the State capitol. The governor eventually backed off from her funding restrictions as a result.

This year, Gov. Lingle is again imposing budget restrictions that will cut government support of the commission in half, in effect allowing for only one position and little money for operations until March 2005, thereby forcing it to either become a non-profit organization or go out of existence, period.

If that should happen, more time will be spent on raising money, instead of advocating on policy on behalf of women. We must keep in mind that women's issues such as discrimination, harassment, domestic violence and sexual assault are still occurring and often unreported. The commission speaks up for them.

An example of the commission's advocacy was its instrumental role in getting HB 2025, the "Equal Pay bill" passed. My colleagues and I supported the bill to ensure that women receive pay comparable to their male counterparts when their work results are the same. With a clear definition of what constitutes wage discrimination, it eliminated the ambiguity that allowed this type of prejudice to exist.

However, on July 13, Gov. Lingle vetoed this potentially historic bill for women in Hawai'i.

When I was in college, female friends who told me their stories of discrimination, domestic and sex abuse inspired my passion on women's issues. I entered politics determined to make a difference, especially for those who feel abandoned and alone. The commission is an agency run by only two people, but their work for women and girls is monumental. And, ironically, it may be dismantled by Hawai'i's first female governor. Please help save the commission by calling the governor at 586-0034; faxing a letter to 586-0006; e-mailing her at gov@gov.state.hi.us; or writing a letter to her at the State Capitol, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96813.