ALOHA SPIRIT

MAHALO TO EMPLOYEES OF DMV FOR THEIR HELP

It is with pleasure that I convey a sincere mahalo to the city Motor Vehicles Licensing and Permits Division. Special thanks go to Gayle in the Ala Moana Satellite City Hall and the division's licensing administrator, Dennis Kamimura.

They bent over backward to help when I was registering and titling a vintage vehicle I'd purchased on the Mainland and shipped to O'ahu. They and other DMV staff members were extremely courteous and professional, and always exuded a warm spirit of aloha.

Their kindness and focus on the customer are indications of how fortunate we are to live in these beautiful islands.

UH FOOTBALL

JUNE JONES OWES IT TO FANS TO SPEAK TO THEM

I didn't have the privilege of being home in Hawai'i during the final push that the UH football team made to qualify for a BCS bowl game.

I wasn't there to watch the news or feel the buzz circulating because of Colt Brennan's leadership of the greatest football season in Hawai'i history.

As a resident of the D.C. area, I have adopted "fanship" of the Washington Redskins, who, like Hawai'i, lost a highly anticipated game at the end of their season.

The parallel between the two teams is that they have also lost amazing leadership. Joe Gibbs and June Jones have both resigned. Joe gave a heartfelt speech to the fans of the Redskins.

June, please take the lead and speak to the fans of Hawai'i. We deserve it.

FANS MUST SUPPORT UH THROUGHOUT THE SEASON

I, like most, am unhappy with the departure of June Jones.

Although I support the removal of Herman Frazier, the blame extends beyond him. The problems that plague the University of Hawai'i Athletics Department also plague the entire state. We tend to be reactive rather than proactive. Thus, our efforts always seem to be too much, too little, too late.

For all of those who are pointing fingers at the UH administration, please ask yourselves, "What have I done to support UH athletics?"

Sure, we filled the stands for the last two games, bought a T-shirt or two, but where were you at the start of the season when seats were empty? Are you a member of Na Koa, or even the Alumni Association?

For those of you who want a better UH football team, you need to support the university all the time.

You've had the winning seasons and bowl games, but typically the support was too late. This is your university. Sure, we need the state and the administration to step it up, but we also need the people of Hawai'i to support the school.

CAN UH DONORS NOW HELP REST OF THE SCHOOL?

With June Jones and Herman Frazier now leaving, wouldn't it be just grand if these wealthy alumni who are always so eager to pour money into the coach's pocket could turn their philanthropic eye to the rest of the school and donate money to repair the athletic facilities, the libraries, the classrooms and donate money to beef up security around campus?

Whatta ya say there, big spenders? How about using your wealth to actually improve the school rather than just buy off one coach after another?

TRANSIENT UNITS

B&B OPERATORS COULD RENT TO LOCAL FOLKS

In a Jan. 7 Advertiser story, Don Maxwell justifies bed-and-breakfast operations by saying the property owners are just trying "to supplement their family income."

If they chose, these people could do that by renting housing to local people instead.

A few years ago, one could rent a room or in-law unit in Kailua at a reasonable rate. Today, that is a near impossibility thanks to homeowners' preference for making $100 to $150 a day renting to tourists.

Let them pay the higher taxes.

REZONING COULD CAUSE YET ANOTHER PROBLEM

Those who seek to have B&Bs designated as "hotels and resorts" and thereby taxed as such, have said their goal is to eliminate tourists from the neighborhoods and beaches of Kailua.

As someone who has lived through a neighborhood zoning change in another state, I can say with some certainty that designating some homes as "hotels and resorts" is one sure way to open the door for whole neighborhoods and then the entire town to be zoned "hotel and resorts." And wouldn't that be ironic?

SPENDING

IS LEGISLATURE OUT OF TOUCH WITH REALITY?

The state Legislature has publicly touted its dedication to being responsible with our tax dollars and to budgeting with a close and keen eye only the most essential of projects. Are we actually supposed to believe that?

What part of proposing to spend almost $8 million to repair the pool of water at their own Capitol building is in any way "essential?" Are they that far out of touch with reality?

Drain the pool, fill it with river rock and send the many state workers whose current job it is to maintain the pool out to do truly necessary work.

LEADERSHIP FLAP

HEMMINGS HAS BEEN APPROACHABLE SENATOR

It is incomprehensible to me that Fred Hemmings should need to endure any negativity with regard to his service as Republican senator from Kailua.

He has been a sensitive representative and an articulate speaker in his support of issues of importance to his constituents. He is approachable and enthusiastic.

There is something more to the story of the unhappy cohorts. But Fred Hemming's record makes me feel that he is not at fault here.