UH values football more than students

What surprises me is the generous amount of money being paid to a football coach at my alma mater, the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

There are a lot of people like myself, a state employee, and my youngest son, a UH student, who continue to tighten our belts just to make ends meet. Do we really need someone who will receive a huge salary and special bonuses while we continue to pay a high cost of living just to live in Hawaii? This is our home.

And yet those who chose the new coach have decided for the rest of us that football is a lot more important than lowering the tuition for kids who have little choice but to remain in Hawaii, or improving the quality of education at Manoa.

I have taken out loans each year to finance my son’s education while those in charge decided that all of the students at UH should help finance the football program by paying an extra $50 each semester. Why?

Leimomi Stender-Jenkins
Honolulu

Red tape dampens push to go green

Our government leaders espouse the values of renewable energy, but make it difficult for homeowners to achieve that.

I installed photovoltaic panels in June of this year. My contractor advised us to get the installation completed in the summer so we could feed into the electric grid enough power credits to offset our usage during the winter.

The government building inspector made, and then canceled over a four-month period, at least six appointments to inspect the installation. Our project was not certified until mid-November.

Hawaiian Electric Co. has now told us all of the surplus energy we generated before the inspection could not be credited under the government public utility tariff agreement. So we have not achieved the projected savings that motivated us to install and pay for the system last summer.

Is it any wonder that a Forbes magazine survey ranks Hawaii as the 49th least-friendly state for business? Our government preaches good stewardship, but its actions discourage citizens from helping to meet our environmental needs.

Arthur H. Bredenbeck
Kailua

Occupy protesters should move along

Occupy Honolulu: Oh, the baloney. Is this something you consider front-page important news? ("Employed, educated take part in protest," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 12)

These "campers" are very well settled with tents, beds, potted plants and lights at night, plus signs.

The big question? With Thomas Square closed at 10 p.m., where do they "go?" Perhaps buckets or along the rock wall?

Having business at the hospital and the First Insurance building and walking, it’s shameful for Honolulu to allow such a mess.

Please Mr. Mayor, get into gear.

Dennis P. Souza
Honolulu

Arbitration needed for HawTel contract

The members of IBEW Local Union 1357 who work for Hawaiian Telcom have rejected the company’s latest proposal ("HawTel union rejects revised contract offer," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 14).

This negotiation process has been going on for months with far too many heated exchanges yielding far too little progress.

I am concerned this breakdown will harm both the employees and customers of Hawaiian Telcom.

With Christmas and New Year’s holidays right around the corner, the last thing our employees or customers need is a strike.

As an alternative, I propose binding arbitration. This solution can (1) produce an interim contract; (2) provide extra time for emotions to cool down; and (3) allow continued negotiations for a long-term contract.

Arbitration would introduce the objective third party needed to create a contract acceptable to both sides.

George Waialeale
Honolulu

Ewa Beach residents still owed a marina

I am 77 years old and have lived in Ewa Beach since 1965.

We were promised the marina.

Haseko promised the community a marina community where we could "live, work and play."

There are several people who own boats and need to get them off the street or yard.

The marina would provide permanent jobs, also.

Haseko has really caused a problem. It has broken its promises, and we the Ewa Beach community will suffer with its decision.

Diane Bollet
Ewa Beach

Ban on cellphones in cars is good idea

I am for full ban on cellphone use while driving.

To save lives, the state should adopt a full ban and collect a hefty fine from lawbreakers to balance the state budget: $1,000 for the first offense; confiscate and sell the vehicle on the second offense.

In an emergency, one can park and call for help.

Dump the politicians who do not make enforceable laws to protect the public.

Chester Lau
Makiki