My family and I were dedicated University of Hawaii football season tickets holders for over 30 years. We went to all the games whether they were losing seasons or winning seasons.
What drove us to not renew our tickets this year: the Aloha Stadium in the past few years allowing folks to purchase tickets in the uppermost yellow sections, then allowing them to sit in the south end zone where we were paying $297 for three seats plus the premium seat contributions.
We endured folks coming down, deciding where they wanted to sit, swearing, fighting, drinking way too much then getting sick all over the place. Aloha Stadium stopped checking tickets and the result was UH football fans deciding to purchase the football package to enjoy the games on TV.
Sadly, football is always better live. However, we don’t need our children being subjected to the disrespect and obnoxious behaviors that are a result of no security at premium entrances.
Kate Arizo
Kaneohe
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Looking for a reason to switch leaders
Both Colleen Hanabusa and David Ige are solid candidates, but Colin Moore, University of Hawaii’s Public Policy Center director, is correct: Hanabusa must be “faulted for a poor campaign giving the voters little reason to support her” (“Hanabusa’s lead fades,” Star-Advertiser, July Opens in a new tab15) Opens in a new tab. Hanabusa simply “hasn’t offered the voters a simple, clear, central message explaining why she should replace Ige.”
Her campaign TV ads have been static and lifeless, having the appeal and energy of a bowl of cold oatmeal. Her TV ads appear to be screenshots of newspaper ads with quotes superimposed on photos of the state Capitol, while Ige’s ads are professionally crafted, showing him animated, personally engaged with voters and on point.
There must be miles of at-home film footage showing Hanabusa pressing the flesh with Hawaii’s voters and speaking for herself on vital issues. Hawaii’s voters deserve a closely contested, issue-oriented governor’s race — but unless Hanabusa’s PR advisers immediately modernize her campaign, this race is over.
Tom Husted
Kapolei
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Cruel immigration acts justify opt-out
A letter-writer supported “legal” immigrants and opposes undocumented immigrants (“Legal immigrants did things by the book,” Star-Advertiser, July Opens in a new tab16) Opens in a new tab. Most of Hawaii’s undocumented immigrants, though, have committed no crime arising from their immigration status. They entered our country with a visa, but overstayed, which is not a crime. Indeed, crossing the border without being processed is simply a misdemeanor.
That letter was followed by one denouncing the treatment of migrant children by federal agencies, revealing the inhumane motivation behind the immigration policies of the Trump administration (“Appalling treatment of migrant children,” July 16).
President Donald Trump characterizes undocumented immigrants as criminals in order to justify heartless policies. In reality, however, undocumented immigrants have a crime rate that is far below that of native-born U.S. citizens.
He wants local police to help implement his cruel immigration policies. Hundreds of cities and counties across the nation refuse to do so. Hawaii and its counties should join them.
John Kawamoto
Kaimuki
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Shade trees needed to cool public parks
Only thousands of new trees will beautify and cool Magic Island, Ala Moana Park and most all our parks.
On Magic Island, people have to bring their own shade in the form of tents, because natural shade is conspicuously unavailable, as trees are so few and far between.
Benches sit in the hot sun, too hot to use. In spite of new irrigation systems, without hundreds of new trees, the park will continue to look and feel like a field. Making the grass greener still misses the most-needed shade.
Likewise, think twice about turning parks into ball fields at the expense of all other people who want to enjoy beautiful, shady, passive parks (e.g., on the corner of Keeaumoku and Wilder). We already have many large ball fields on school grounds and in residential areas, such as below Makiki Park on Keeaumoku Street.
Caroll Han
Punchbowl
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Military sell-outs are disgrace to country
It is a bittersweet moment when an exceptional Navy captain succumbed to worldly things and stained his military record (“Navy captain at Pearl Harbor censured over ‘Fat Leonard’ bribery, fraud scandal,” Star-Advertiser, July Opens in a new tab9) Opens in a new tab. Capt. Charles A. Johnson became involved with the wrong man: Singapore-based defense contractor Leonard Glenn Francis.
Johnson let his guard down and his wrongdoings finally caught up with him. His fraudulent acts are embarrassing. Making false official statements and disclosing official information are purely disgraceful acts.
In fact, everyone else involved is also a disgrace, especially those who traded classified and internal Navy information. They literally turned their backs not only on everyone in the military, but also on our country.
They completely lost sight of serving our country with honor.
Alexis M. Liftee
Nuuanu
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Ombudsman’s Office was not helpful at all
What is the purpose of the Ombudsman’s Office? My original belief was that it is there to assist people who were having difficulties with a state agency, tried to resolve them, and were still having problems. After my experience with someone at the Ombudsman’s Office, I realize it actually has two purposes.
First, it is there to make excuses for state agencies that are violating their own policies and procedures. Secondly, it is there to collect salaries at taxpayer expense.
If you ever do have difficulty with a state agency, do not contact the ombudsman. Take a nap instead; it will be far more productive.
Barry Fox
Aiea
