Give homeless a place to live

Find a place for the homeless first, then the sidewalks will have fewer tents and belongings. The proposed City Council bills to clear tents and belongings are heartless.The rights of a person in a wheelchair or a mom with a stroller are important, but what is more important than a place to stay or a home?

In Moiliili and Thomas Square, the homeless don’t seem to be blocking the sidewalks, as their tents are on the grassy areas along side the sidewalk or on one edge of the sidewalk. Wherever the homeless try to go, they are stymied, whether it is the parks, under freeways or other places.

Craig Nahm
Hawaii Kai

‘Rainbow Warriors’ is good compromise

Eric S. Okuhata’s letter could not have been stated more perfectly regarding the nickname for University of Hawaii sports ("‘Rainbow’ firmly part of UH heritage," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Feb. 18).

Outsiders like Athletic Director Ben Jay and Coach June Jones somehow cannot relate to Okuhata’s explanation. "Rainbow Warriors," rather than just "Warriors," would be the most appropriate compromise.

Roy M. Komoto
Kaneohe

Team name should represent Hawaii

As a loyal alumnus of the University of Hawaii, I must express my opposition to the athletic department’s decision to change all men’s team names to the Warriors. It is the most ridiculous idea since June Jones took the "Rainbow" out of "Rainbow Warriors" and dressed the team in those atrocious black uniforms.

I am very happy to note that I am not alone in this opinion. Virtually everybody I’ve talked to agrees that the "Rainbow" should be reinstated, not dropped altogether. I have also seen overwhelming disenchantment and very little support for the change on Facebook. Does the university not care how the general public feels about the change?

"Warriors" is too generic. It could be used in Ohio, South America, China or the North Pole. Put a "Rainbow" in front of it and you have something almost exclusively Hawaii.

Our university’s sports teams do represent Hawaii, don’t they? Shouldn’t they have a name that is almost completely unique to Hawaii?

Go Bows!

Jim Gardner
Kaimuki

Reserve HOV lane for use by TheBus

Since the mayor has indicated he will work to restore the bus service to its earlier state, he should confer with the state on the feasibility of using the HOV lane exclusively for TheBus.

Since the rail line will not be in service for at least nine years, there has to be temporary relief for the drivers who commute on the H-1 by providing an alternate means of travel into the city. The number of cars will increase due to the increasing population in West Oahu caused by more housing being built as well as the influx of new residents settling there.

More drivers may be encouraged to change their commuting habits when they witness buses moving quickly along the highway while they sit stuck in heavy traffic. The increase in bus ridership may give an indication of what we can anticipate in the numbers opting to commute via rail.

Melvyn Masuda
Waialae-Kahala

We don’t need gambling, pakalolo

Some people, as well as a few politicians and even the governor, have indicated they favor gambling as a source of revenue for the state. Even legalization of marijuana for recreational use has been proposed, with the supposed benefit of taxing another drug. Why would we use these means to enhance revenue when the expansion of gambling and promotion of drug use will bring problems associated with these activities?

Hawaii has unparalleled beauty and rich cultural resources. Let’s instead creatively promote aspects of Hawaiian culture and preserve our graceful beauty. These things foster tourism appeal and the consequent revenue. The Star-Advertiser recently reported that outdoor recreation generates an estimated $6.7 billion in spending annually in Hawaii. Gambling casinos cheapen Hawaii’s unique appeal and lotteries are only a regressive form of taxation.

What benefit comes from a possible business like "Auntie’s Paradise Pakalolo Patch" when youth could instead aspire to something worthwhile, like maintaining agriculture, Hawaiian fish ponds or ocean voyaging?

Jonathan Hoag
Kaneohe

Make some room for New Zealanders

I spent a great family holiday in Hawaii last November.

We climbed Diamond Head for that fabulous birds-eye view of Honolulu. At the summit is a compass-face that shows the directions of different countries from Hawaii.

As New Zealanders, we were disappointed to see that New Zealand is not shown on the dial.

New Zealand has much in common with Hawaii — we are both islands in the Pacific, we share volcanic activity and, of course, share Polynesian indigenous culture.

The airline service between New Zealand and Hawaii is about to increase, which means more New Zealanders will be climbing Diamond Head. This may seem an unimportant issue, but perhaps the powers that be could be persuaded to add New Zealand to the dial in the interest of good public relations and tourism from New Zealand.

Tim Jerram
Auckland, New Zealand