PRICES

TICKET SCALPING SHOULD BE ILLEGAL IN HAWAI'I

I don't understand why ticket scalping is illegal in many states, but legal here.

It seems some folks make their living by ripping off other citizens who can't get to the ticket sales fast enough.

For someone to be allowed to buy 150 tickets at a time is criminal. No one should be allowed to purchase more than eight to 10 tickets, and scalping tickets online or at the venue should be criminalized and carry a huge fine.

Now the Police concert is sold out. I wonder how many tickets will go unused because of scalpers buying many tickets.

UH

REPAIR CLASSROOMS BEFORE SPORTS FACILITIES

We all agree the University of Hawai'i football team has done Hawai'i proud and that, yes, their facilities are deplorably out of date and unfit for a team of their caliber.

But what about the rest of Manoa's campus? If we are going to rectify any of the problems of UH's facilities, we should first repair the classrooms, stairwells, walkways and all other eyesores that are not only unsafe but glaringly obvious.

Any alumni of UH can tell you that most of the classrooms and educational facilities are also out of date and shoddy. What should our priorities be here?

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES WORSE THAN AT UH

The comments made about the facilities at the University of Hawai'i are correct. The facilities are run-down.

But you should see the public school facilities. If the ESPN broadcasters were to come to Kailua Intermediate, they would be sick. The physical education facilities are dismal at best.

The locker rooms are depressing. The school is 60 years old, and although the locker rooms have had a partial facelift they are still embarrassing.

The working conditions at most public schools are far worse than at the university.

With the childhood obesity level in Hawai'i increasing, where would the money be better spent? Recruiting elite athletes or improving the health of the youth in Hawai'i? Easy question to answer.

UH FOOTBALL

ALOHA IS MISSING AT STADIUM PARKING LOT

When trying to park at Aloha Stadium for the UH-Boise State game we inadvertently entered the lower parking lot, but needed to meet our party at the upper parking lot.

To our dismay, we were told we needed to exit, go back into traffic and pay another $5. This did not make sense since the section we wanted to go to was only a few feet away and coned off from where we were directed to exit. It took us another two hours to get in.

This needlessly added to the traffic congestion on the surrounding streets. It is incomprehensible that cars are made to join up with the traffic again when they are already in the parking lot. And then to make us pay again is asinine. There were many other drivers in the lower parking lot who suffered the same fate.

To top it off, certain exit gates were closed at the end of the game. The only time they were opened was when the traffic wasn't clearing fast enough. Duh!

Aloha is lacking from the Aloha Stadium parking lot.

TRANSPORTATION

TOLL ROAD BILL SHOULD GET HEARING IN SENATE

Sen. Kalani English's words in his commentary, "Superferry: Debate is healthy, necessary" (Nov. 27), contradict his behavior with regard to House Bill 70. His closing words are: "And as the task force created by the Superferry bill performs its mandated review of ferry operations, I hope there will always be room for discussion and diversity of opinion."

And yet, look at the senator's behavior in the 2007 legislative session. HB 70, which would authorize the state to charge tolls on highways, was passed by the House. However, when it crossed over to the Senate, Sen. English, as chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, refused to allow it to be heard.

Further, when Rep. Rida Cabanilla asked the O'ahu Metropolitan Planning Organization to request that the senator reconsider his squelching of the bill, he objected vehemently. In a letter to OMPO, he criticized Rep. Cabanilla, saying that she was interfering with Senate business, and, in a real stretch, cited the Law of the Splintered Paddle as "justification" for not allowing the bill to even be considered by the Senate.

Some would use the term "hypocrisy" to describe the senator's behavior regarding HB 70, while he purports to encourage debate, discussion and diversity of opinion.

Let's hope for the sake of the public that the good senator has a change of heart in the 2008 legislative session, and allows HB 70 to be heard, debated and discussed in the Senate.

DLNR

TURNAROUND POSSIBLE AT HISTORIC SITES OFFICE

State Department of Land and Natural Resources Chairwoman Laura Thielen has structured a thoughtful and deliberate approach to address shortcomings at the State Historic Preservation Division. A transition team will develop a reconstruction plan for the division while a dedicated search is conducted for a new administrator.

The practical needs of workflow efficiency, predictable processes, regulatory compliance and human resource management are self-evident. In addition, the new leadership must be able to convey the importance of historic preservation as a means of protecting, enhancing and enjoying the places that give shape and meaning to our communities.

The next few months will be critical to the state's long-term success in protecting the historic and cultural heritage of Hawai'i.

I am optimistic that a turnaround is possible through committed leadership, community engagement and administrative support.

FOREIGN JETS

WHY IS HAWAIIAN BUYING AIRBUS PLANES?

Auwe! Hawaiian Airlines, why are you buying airplanes from European manufacturer Airbus instead of buying U.S.-built Boeing planes?

Maybe you got a better price, but is the lower price always the better deal?

Up here in the Seattle area where Boeing jets are born, we take it seriously, and personally, when airlines buy Airbus.

Having grown up in Hawai'i, I've always supported Hawaiian, even when the only thing you were known for were delayed and cancelled flights with poor service, and through all the years of bankruptcy and uncertainty.

I always believed that showing some loyalty to the local company was important. Maybe I was wrong.

FORMER NEWSCASTER

BOB SEVEY TRULY AN INSPIRATION FOR HAWAI'I

We must thank PBS and Leslie Wilcox for her two-part special on "Long Story Short" and her very worthy interview with Bob Sevey.

I have always considered Bob Sevey the Walter Cronkite of Hawai'i news — respected by all, professional in every way in local TV broadcasting.

Bob stood up for the right principles of television broadcasting, and he gave us years of tough and meaningful news during his two decades at KGMB TV.

PBS, you are to be congratulated for one of the finest local interviews with a former and well-loved anchor in Hawai'i history.

My only wish is that PBS Hawai'i rebroadcast these two segments for all Hawai'i to enjoy and understand the high principles that Bob Sevey epitomized in his years in Hawai'i, his personal battle with cancer, the love for his wife who has Alzheimer's and his outlook on life and the future. Bob, you are truly an inspiration. You have not been forgotten.

UH WARRIORS

RETIRE NO. 15 AS TRIBUTE TO 2007 FOOTBALL TEAM

It's been an amazing ride following the Warrior football team this year.

Quarterback Colt Brennan led the team to an astonishing, unprecedented perfect season — the stuff dreams are made of but rarely achieved.

The team brought the school and the state pride and hope.

It would be an appropriate tribute for the University of Hawai'i athletic department to retire No. 15 in honor of the achievements of the 2007 Warriors.

Win or lose at the Sugar Bowl, No. 15 should be retired as a testament and a big mahalo to the dream team.