Letters to the Editor
UH FOOTBALL
FOOTBALL FANS CELEBRATE 'AMAZING' 2007 SEASON
TEAM, FANS SHOWED TRUE SPORTSMANSHIP
We cheered with the Warriors and fans when the touchdown was scored Tuesday! The sportsmanship shown by the Warrior team and fans is commendable, and that can't be said of the UGA team and fans.
This was a great season and I can't wait to see what the 2008-09 season will be like — go Warriors! Congratulations to UH for an amazing season and an honorable finale!
Leslie BulluckGlencoe, Ill.
NEW ORLEANS GOT A TASTE OF OUR ALOHA
I want to say mahalo to all of the Warrior fans who brought their aloha to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl. I live in New Orleans now, but the six years I lived in Hawai'i made it my home. It's the only place I've ever been homesick for.
The Hawai'i fans were gracious and friendly. Most of the Georgia fans were also friendly, but I saw many on Bourbon Street the night before the game who were being very confrontational. A group sitting near me during the game was particularly offensive. They mocked the haka, made fun of the Hawaiian language, and started chanting "overrated, overrated" near the end of the game.
Even in victory, they seemed angry. Maybe they realized that they are headed home to Georgia and most of the Hawai'i fans are headed home to paradise.
I'm still proud of the amazing season our Warriors had. And thanks to the aloha I saw on Bourbon Street and in the Superdome, I miss Hawai'i more than ever.
Jack MorganNew Orleans
JOY AND EXCITEMENT OF FANS A TRUE DELIGHT
My wife and I decided to take in the sights and sounds of the French Quarter on Sunday night, as we do for big events like Final Fours, Super Bowls and Sugar Bowls. We were amazed at the large number of Hawai'i fans in town for the game. What delighted us most was seeing the joy and excitement on the faces of these fans. Everyone, young and old, was having such a great time experiencing Bourbon Street, Jackson Square, Café Du Monde and other popular areas of the French Quarter.
Even though the Warriors lost the game, I hope that the fans that made the trip had a good time. Thanks for visiting and helping us continue to recover from Katrina. Hopefully LSU can play in Hawai'i some day and we will reciprocate. Geaux Warriors and Geaux Tigers!
Tim PhinneyNew Orleans
WARRIORS LIFTED SPIRITS, PROVED CRITICS WRONG
Hawai'i Warriors, you have lifted the spirit of this community called Hawai'i in these trying times, and we commend you for your tremendous accomplishment of being the only undefeated (12-0) Division I college team.
It is never easy to go undefeated in any league, college or professional. All Hawai'i takes pride and joy in the fact that you Warriors proved all the critics wrong, as the season progressed and the competition became tougher. As the saying goes, "As the going gets tough, the tough get going." That's a true warrior.
In Hawai'i's storied sports lore, there is no question that the 2007 Warrior legend will be etched in the hearts of all for many years.
Your sacrifice and sweat did not go in vain because of the loss to a great Georgia team in the Sugar Bowl. You traveled far and on a national and world scene, got knocked down, but came back up time and again. You gave it your best and we take pride in the fact that you represented Hawai'i well. Making it for the first time in a major college bowl was a "win-win" and an accomplishment in itself.
Your togetherness of "brotherhood" prevailed before, during and after the fantastic 2007 season, and always remember that you win as a team and lose as a team.
Many times in life we do not get a second chance to accomplish what you all did for yourself and Hawai'i. Walk with heads high and take pride in what you all did for this state. You represented your conference very well.
Thank you for bringing such joy to all Hawai'i. Enjoy your victory parade that our mayor has scheduled for all to appreciate your great undefeated season. You deserve all the accolades extended by your loyal fans, the media and, yes, the tens of thousands of men, women and children who watched you, week in and week out.
Tom SugitaPearl City
CON-CON
GIVE VOTERS A CHANCE TO FIX PUBLIC EDUCATION
Anne Feder Lee, in her Dec. 28 Island Voices column, asked supporters of a constitutional convention to explain why a con-con should be held.
There are numerous compelling reasons to hold a constitutional convention. One of most obvious is to give voters the opportunity to improve public education by setting up local school boards. The statewide Department of Education spends almost $2.5 billion each year, 10 times more than it did 30 years ago, yet there are fewer children in our public schools today than in 1977. Sadly, this huge increase in funds has not improved the quality of education our children are receiving.
Parents and voters deserve a system that allows them to hold local officials accountable for the results in their schools.
Already the island of Hawai'i's county ccouncil has voted unanimously to support the creation of a county school district on its island. But the current state constitution forbids this. This should be changed.
A constitutional convention that puts local schools boards before the voters clearly addresses the points raised by Ms. Anne Feder Lee:
Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona deserves praise for giving the voters of Hawai'i the chance to improve and modernize our constitution through the convening of a constitutional convention.
I urge voters to support this important step in self-government when you cast your ballots in November of 2008.
Linda L. SmithSenior policy adviser to Governor Lingle
FILIPINO VETS
THEY DESERVE TO SEE OUR PROMISE FULFILLED
During WWII, the Philippine Islands was still owned by U.S., which bought the Islands and Puerto Rico from Spain for $20 million on Dec. 10, 1898. There was no Republic of the Philippines until July 4, 1946 when the U.S. granted the P.I. its independence.
Hence, all Filipinos who fought and died fighting the Japanese in WWII, did so under the "Star Spangled Banner."
The Filipinos were not enemies of the Japanese — the Americans were their sworn enemies. Japan even granted the P.I. its short-lived republic under a Filipino appointed president, Jose P. Laurel, when the Americans led by Gen. Douglas MacArthur fled and abandoned the P.I.
After the Dec. 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor bombing, the P.I. was bombed to smithereens on Dec. 10, 1941, because the P.I. was the next-largest U.S. airbase. The Filipinos, including my 17-year-old brother who did the Bataan Death March and died a POW in Camp O'Donnell, were conscripted to serve the American flag. They did valiantly even after they were abandoned doing guerrilla fighting.
Those Filipino vets deserved the honor of a fulfilled promise!
Gloria Parillas EarlHonolulu
2008 TOP STORIES
LEILEHUA'S WIN SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE LIST
I am very disappointed that the story of the Leilehua High School football team winning the Hawai'i State High School Football Championship was not on the list.
If it wasn't for the incredible success of the Hawai'i Warriors, this would have been the top sports team story.
On top of the ultimate trophy of winning the championship, this is a story for all young competitors that personal glory can be achieved through group sacrifice and effort. This story parallels the Hawai'i story.
Seichi NagaiPearl City
IRAQ WAR
GRANDPARENT'S WISH FOR PEACE AND COMPASSION
May all in this world drop their arms and anger, and may we truly have lasting peace.
We need fewer wars of words and weapons.
May all our brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces all over the world be kept safe and sound.
We have our freedom but it is never free, with the many sacrifices of our brave who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Those who came home wounded and healing, may you never be forgotten and be appreciated by this grateful nation.
Let jealousy and animosity and hatred be a thing of the past and let that be replaced with love and compassion for our fellow being.
"Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men." Yes, this year is very special, as our eldest grandson is serving his first tour in Iraq with tens of thousands of our guardians of this world. Being in the Army Medical Corps, he and his buddies have a tremendous responsibility of aiding the wounded, and we have nothing but love and respect for his courage in these difficult times.
To you, Ryan Furomoto and all your armed forces buddies, may the Lord watch over you all and bring you all home safely. You make us proud.
Marie SugitaPearl City
BENAZIR BHUTTO
LEADER'S DEATH A GLOBAL LOSS FOR DEMOCRACY
Unfortunately, the world has lost another vigilant advocate for democracy and human rights.
The assassination of Benazir Bhutto stands not only as a loss for the grief-stricken people of Pakistan, but also for a global society in desperate need of committed visionaries like Bhutto.
Following her return from exile, Bhutto became a staunch critic of the explicitly anti-democratic policies of President/Gen. Pervez Musharraf, a close ally of President Bush. Her repeated calls for democratic reforms now become even more pressing as Pakistan loses her committed voice of change.
Bhutto's vision for peace and democracy stands in defiance of those world leaders who shout democracy, but then support the military dictatorship responsible for stripping away the democracy for which Bhutto was willing to risk her life. Democracy deserves compassion, truth and commitment. Benazir Bhutto embodied this. Sadly, our nation's leader does not.
Lopaka PurdyBrighton, United Kingdom
