ENVIRONMENT

IT IS TIME TO END ISLES' FIREWORKS TRADITION

As I am writing this letter, fireworks are blasting off in Makiki.

This is the first time I've experienced it on Christmas Eve.

The city can't enforce the regulations, nor can the state. Maybe it's time to sue somebody, or shutter up the business altogether.

Why wait until New Year's for the debate to begin? Should we mail in dead birds to make the point?

In an age of environmental degradation, how much longer can we tolerate this tradition?

PRESIDENCY

FAITH IMPORTANT IN EVALUATING CANDIDATES

When it comes to the presidency, one's faith is of utmost importance. It is as significant as how successfully someone ran a prior business or governed a state.

People will resort to their core values in deciding what they will do in any given situation, so the electorate has every right to question a candidate's faith as to their positions on social issues or how they would exercise their authority as president.

No candidate should be offended when people raise points of clarification about their faith.

If a candidate seems evasive or not open to discussing something that reportedly means a great deal to them, then in what other areas of life might they choose to be elusive or closed-minded?

It is vitally important to know as much as possible about a candidate's mental, physical, emotional, economic, philosophical and, yes, their spiritual views and health.

STATE HOUSE

GRANTS ISSUE EXAMPLE OF WHAT MUST CHANGE

The state House's grants-in-aid subcomittee of one, Rep. Michael Magaoay, is a prime example (and just the tip of the iceberg,) of the things that the people of Hawai'i need to stand up and change.

If Magaoay lacks the courage to hold himself accountable, then it's time for the voice of the people to do so.

CONCON

LEGISLATURE HAS FAILED TO MEET EXPECTATIONS

Harry Boranian (Letter, Dec. 22) doesn't favor a constitutional convention because the Constitution need not be amended as long as the state Legislature is proactive and makes laws with the best interests of the public in mind.

But in too many instances the state Legislature fails to meet those expectations.

Since Mr. Boranian does not indicate how to set the Legislature straight, he makes a good argument in favor of a constitutional convention.

UH FOOTBALL

THOUSANDS OF FANS TURNED AWAY AT EVENT

Another day, another "miscalculation" by the University of Hawai'i athletic department. I am very disappointed with Herman Frazier and John McNamara for putting on a truly sad autograph session.

Thousands of fans were turned away from getting autographs of this special team. To see the many fans, especially the kids, disappointed was very disheartening.

I was one of the many to line up for a chance at this, and I was shocked by the lack of organization. Guidelines for the event were not followed. There was a mad rush of people when the gates to the soccer field opened, and confusion as to where the different players were.

When you advertise on TV and in the newspaper for an event like this one, and only give it one hour, you are bound to have a disaster.

WARRIORS AUTOGRAPH SESSION BADLY MANAGED

It's hard to believe an "institute of higher learning" could have anything so badly managed as last Saturday's autograph session with the University of Hawai'i football team.

First of all, a 4-year-old could tell you that one hour would not be enough time for this event. Those of us who followed the stated rules (no lining up until 10 a.m., no chairs, etc.) wound up with nothing, as others got there as much as seven hours earlier.

I expected to see the players sitting at a set of tables, possibly with tents to keep off the sun and rain, the crowd just filing by, and the autographed item being passed on down. Instead, they were scattered about the field; you couldn't tell who was where except for Colt Brennan and the mile-long line.

I think those who went there and stood in line for nothing should have their parking fee refunded, and this whole thing should be held again, and this time done right.

CREATIVE GIFT

MATSUMOTO DESERVED TO BE MEMORIALIZED

I was surprised to read the controversy about the reporting of the Lisa Matsumoto tragedy.

We were shocked and saddened by the news of her death. But why would anyone take offense at the reporting?

Of course, our sympathies are with the innocent driver who was seriously injured. Of course, Matsumoto's local fame was a focus of the news stories. But everyone, even the brightest and best among us, has flaws. She was certainly human, but she was also incredibly gifted.

Because we mourn the loss of that wonderful talent that brought so much humor and enjoyment to the Hawai'i stage does not mean we do not recognize her frailty.

Perhaps her tragic flaw was that the very sensitivity that enabled her to write so creatively was the reason for her untimely death.

To those who saw her plays, it doesn't matter how badly she died — she deserves to be memorialized because of her gift. No one should deny her that final accolade.

TELEVISION

KGMB OVERDUE IN HIGH-DEFINITION MOVE

The New England Patriots face the New York Giants today as they continue their quest for an historic unbeaten season.

Originally slated to air only on the NFL Network, which is not available here in Hawai'i, the NFL is now making that game available on both NBC and CBS.

KHNL has been available in high definition for some time now; KGMB is still a holdout and is only available in low definition. Care to guess on which local station most people will be watching that game?

Come on, KGMB — making your product available in high definition is long overdue!

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