RETURN MONEY

CURBSIDE RECYCLING FAILURE A SHAME

For shame that Mayor Mufi Hannemann and those involved with the legal stalemate for operating a curbside recycling program have not brought the recycling program to successful fruition. Please have them account for all the money spent and appropriated to date and return it to the proper sources. They failed to deliver the product (program).

PROSTITUTION

CAN POLICE GIVE SAME ATTENTION TO WAIKIKI?

I read with interest the article on the prostitution raid on Ward Avenue ("Witness arrest warrants used in prostitution case," Oct. 20). I just wonder why prostitutes are allowed to freely roam and aggressively accost men on the streets in Waikiki.

It was not too long ago that you rarely saw an obvious prostitute in Waikiki. Now they are all over, hanging out in hotel lobbies and on the streets, aggressively plying their trade right under the noses of the police.

I know someone staying at a Waikiki hotel who complained about being accosted in the lobby of the hotel. When he complained to the management, they called the police, who did absolutely nothing!

UH FOOTBALL

'RAINBOWS' NICKNAME STILL REGISTERS WITH FANS

In his excellent column ("Different eras, styles will meet," Oct. 19), Ferd Lewis mentions former University of Hawai'i coaches Dick Tomey and Joe Seumalo referring to the current UH football team as "Rainbows" rather than "Warriors."

Perhaps the reason so many people still call the team 'Bows, Rainbows or Rainbow Warriors is that the 2000 change in nickname to the Warriors was made without input from the public. Seventy-plus years of "Rainbows" tradition was overturned in one fell swoop by the team's popular new coach June Jones, with no input from fans, season-ticket holders, UH students or alumni, thus making UH the only public university in the country to change the long-standing nickname of its football team without putting the matter to a vote of its many supporters.

Hats off to Jones for coaching an exciting brand of run-and-shoot football, but it seems many fans have not accepted his unilateral decision to change the team's nickname. As for today's game against San Jose State ... Go 'Bows!

'HAWAII FIVE-O'

MARIE LORD WILL BE MISSED IN THE ISLANDS

I was very sorry to hear of Marie Lord's death. The Lords meant a lot to our community during the time they lived and worked among us. Jack Lord's death was a sad item to hear. Likewise, the death of Marie is sad and leaves a gap among us.

How fortunate this community was when they came over to work on "Hawaii Five-O." I never met either of them, but I was one of those who participated in the "Hawaii Five-O" convention held here in the fall of 1996.

The devotion the Lords had for each other was an inspiration in light of today's troubled marriages.

Mahalo, Marie, for coming our way.

MICHELLE WIE

OUTSIDER POLICING OF GAME INDEED A TRAVESTY

Regarding the recent disqualification of Michelle Wie, I heartily agree with Mark Rolfing, that the action was indeed a travesty.

Although Rolfing's point had to do with whether or not some advantage had been gained by the "drop," I believe the real travesty occurred when a self-serving reporter from Sports Illustrated took it upon himself to be the custodian of golfing morality by reporting his "concern" a day after the incident.

To think that the game of golf is to be policed by an outsider with who-knows-what motivation is discouraging to say the least, and certainly not in the best interests of the game!

HARRIET MIERS

BUSH A STRAIGHT SHOOTER

Imagine my surprise to see President Bush's candor! Every president has tried to put a person of his own judicial philosophy on the Supreme Court bench. But none has had the refreshing honesty to straight out appoint a political operative. It fair takes the breath away.

KEOLU DRIVE

WHY CAN'T SCHOOL GET TRAFFIC SAFETY LIGHTS?

The flashing yellow safety lights for Keolu Drive fronting St. John Vianney School were approved and budgeted. Ed Hirata (who has recently resigned as director of the city Department of Transportation Services) now says it has been rescinded. No lights now or in the "foreseeable future." Other schools have flashing lights: why not this school? Are these children less important? Expendable?

Money has been spent (thousands) on the traffic-calming projects on Wana'ao Road against the wishes of the majority of the residents there. A bike lane has been installed on Keolu Drive that I have never seen used; most parents don't want their children next to the fast-moving lane of traffic.

We witnessed near fatalities of children on Keolu Drive. The children need some protection. Install the lights and we'll all rest easier.

UARC

DEMILITARIZING AT UH GOOD PLACE TO BEGIN

The conflict over adding a university-affiliated research center to the University of Hawai'i-Manoa's military support services shows the difficulty of demilitarizing institutions in war-fighting societies. But the university, as a unique institution devoted to nurturance of human creativity for the advancement of civilization, is an honorable place to begin.