‘Rainbow’ firmly part of UH heritage

Perhaps University of Hawaii athletic director Ben Jay should consider the words of the UH alma mater and consider the history and location of the university.

All alumni can relate to the phrase, "Where mountain winds and showers" as they fondly recall their college years — the Manoa mist and the rainbows that adorned the valley.The rainbow is symbolic of the school and rightfully is the school’s nom de guerre.

If the name must evolve, then it should be the Rainbow Warriors. Don’t meddle with tradition. Whether we win or lose, our rallying cry will always be, "Let’s go, ‘Bows!"

Eric S. Okuhata
Makiki

Army can afford ‘gourmet grub’?

I sit here amused and confused while reading William Cole’s article ("Military chefs field-test gourmet grub," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 14).

Dishes mentioned were "salmon with octopus tentacles in aspic with a wasabi sauce and cherries stuffed with duck liver."

As I read the article, I was listening to a senator on C-SPAN, who was commenting that the approaching sequestration will not allow the Army to properly train its new recruits.No money for training but gourmet grub is all right?Is it any wonder why so many Americans don’t trust our government?

My Vietnam service would have been tastier with that kind of food instead of leaving this sour taste in my mouth over where our country is headed. God help us all.

Gregory A. Poole
Mililani

Helmets for bikers would cut injuries

Young adults face choices — including where to live, how to make a living and whom to date — affecting how they travel.

Hawaii’s high living costs, plus making "greener" life choices, increases the appeal of mopeds and motorcycles. With easy parking and reduced fuel costs, these vehicles seem the perfect choice.

Hawaii’s lack of a helmet law for those over 17 provides no incentive for young adults to wear helmets. Unfortunately, motorcycle- and moped-related injuries among 15- to 25-year-olds are higher than other age groups.

Senate Bill 484, SD1 includes an incentive for motorcycle and moped users who choose to wear a helmet by providing a $50 discount on county tax for these vehicles. Riders not wearing helmets can pay a high price.

We lose twice as many unhelmeted motorcycle and moped riders each year, have three times as many head injuries and assume a public burden of expensive medical bills.

Aren’t we ready for an injury prevention incentive for all motorcycle and moped riders?

Bruce McEwan
Chairman, Injury Prevention Advisory Committee

Bill Day cartoons were good to see

It was great to see two cartoons from Bill Day in the Star-Advertiser on Feb. 13.

Bill is an award-winning, nationally syndicated cartoonist with a fan base so loyal that it participated in a successful Internet crowd-funding campaign to keep him drawing after he was laid off from his newspaper in Memphis, Tenn.

Kudos to the editors for having the good taste and good sense to share his talent with island readers.

David Harada-Stone
Kamuela, Hawaii island

Navy collisions getting worrisome

The grounding of the USS Guardian minesweeper on a reef in the Philippines on Jan. 24 is one more expensive collision to add to the U.S. Navy’s record.

Remember the USS Greeneville Ehime Marucollision in 2001 and the Port Royal grounding in 2009?

There have also been eight U.S. Navy submarine incidents since 2001 from apparent operational errors, not hostile action.

If cruise lines or oil companies had this kind of record, they would be bankrupt.

In addition to the disciplinary actions last August to curtail misconduct in the ranks (some reminiscent of Tailhook), the Navy needs a major restructuring to change its culture.

Judith Suzurikawa
McCully

Firearms the issue, not media violence

You cannot convince me that violence in the media, movies and games are more to blame for gun violence than the prevalent gun culture and the number of freely available guns in this country ("Gun enthusiasts have point about violence in our media," Star-Advertiser, Joe Nocera, Feb. 13). Besides, to misquote the now (in)famous quote: "Violent media don’t kill people. People kill people."

Jacques Bargiel
Kailua

Drivers should heed ambulances

Accompanying my late husband, Gary, in the ambulance to Queen’s Medical Center was truly amazing to witness as, amazingly, many drivers refused to pull over and kept driving alongside. It was stressful, as an accident could have happened.

Drivers should move over and stop for the ambulance to pass safely. It’s not old-fashioned; it’s life-saving.

Grace Tsubata Fujii
Pauoa Valley

Rich and famous can go elsewhere

My heart bleeds for Steven Tyler and all ūber-rich celebrities who want to live and play in Hawaii inconspicuously.

If they don’t want the spotlight, they should vacation in Costa Rica or Yelapa. Maybe become a dentist or something other than a rock star. We need a new law like we need another pothole on the Pali.

Michael O’Hara
Kaneohe