UH needs better management

I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry over the latest University of Hawaii actions, so I did both.

Recalling my own academic experiences as an associate dean and associate professor with six colleges and universities, I always assume wrongly that I cannot expect academic administrators to sink any lower. It is quite sobering to know that UH-Manoa Chancellor Tom Apple was fired for trying to cut back on all that money flowing out of various sources while students’ costs keep rising.

Not being aware of all the facts herein, I assumeUH will adopt a new motto to reflect its conduct: "Plus ca change, c’est plus la meme chose." (The more things change, the more they remain the same.)

I drove through the beautiful campus yesterday,saddened to know that faculty, staff and students need better management. We need legislative help to do this. Anyone?

Joseph A. Cammalleri
Hawaii Kai

Have new system to see VA doctors

Now that there has been a knee-jerk reaction to the Veterans Affairs appointment system, it is time for a closer look.

This letter is not even considering corruption.

There is a tiered system for assigning appointments. The vet who did his or her time in the service, all of which was done at home with no combat time, will certainly not be seen with the same urgency as one who has lost a limb, PTSD, or some other combat-related medical problem.

The most sensible suggestion I’ve heard to date would be to establish a system whereby those eligible for VA care and unable to receive an appointment within 30 days would be referred to a civilian medical facility. The problem is that sensible and congressional attention always results in legislation with so many loopholes that corruption is guaranteed.

Don Chambers
Mililani

Special session was just a ruse

Barbara Krasniewski said that "more people testified in favor of Hawaii’s same-sex marriage bill … so I guess legislators listened" ("Legislators actually did listen to voters," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Aug. 5).

Actually, this is not the case.

The legislative committees knew that the majority of the testimony urged lawmakers not to pass the bill, but after days of highly emotional testimony, the House committee passed the bill in a matter of minutes. Knowing the majority of those who testified opposed the bill, state Sen. Clayton Hee told a Hawaii News Now reporter that this issue cannot be decided by the majority.

The committees never should have called for testimony when they had already made up their minds. They never should have pretended the testimony would make any difference.

It is this ruse of the special session that struck so many who thought their voice mattered and has fired them up to make a change.

Stephanie Darrow
Hawaii Kai

Vinyl records still have fans

It is a breath of fresh air that record albums, or LPs, are making a strong comeback.

The Hawaii Record Fair held recently with Hungry Ear Records was a great event celebrating record albums. A ton of peoplelike record albums because they have cover, artwork and liner notes, in addition to the tangible element of the vinyl record itself.Many hard-core music lovers want to know the credits toan album including the musicians on an album.

Mom-and-pop record stores will make a comeback and provide entertaining places to hang out, like the Borders and Tower Records outlets thatmany used to patronize in the past.

Dean F. Nagasako
Honokaa, Hawaii island

Sign-waving distracts drivers

We have all heard about being distracted while driving, and yet all the sign-waving and the dozens and dozens of political signs that are plastered all over the neighborhoods are a definite distraction.

If you see someone waving, you can’t help but look.

And there are way too many political signs that are not only unsightly and tacky, but again you look.

These should be against the law, just like anything else that distracts us while driving.

Tom Godfrey
Kihei