UH football just isn’t worth the cost

After enduring many years of mediocrity and a revolving door for coaches, is it time to phase out the University of Hawaii football program?

The team has lost three games in a row and is assured a sixth consecutive losing season. Nick Rolovich is doing his best to field a creditable team with limited resources but is hampered by the Warriors’ consistently bad play.

Obstacles like mainland travel, isolation, difficulty in recruiting qualified players, budget restrictions, low fan attendance and a crumbling stadium make it more difficult to find reasonable solutions.

It appears that money and energy are being expended on a football program without a future. Stop the frustration and end the program.

Tony Locascio

Waikiki

Figure out why we elected Trump

We Americans just elected as our president a man who is a habitual liar, utterly lacking in character and morally bankrupt.

Instead of crying or demonstrating over the election, we better determine why we did this and do something about it, or our future is very dim indeed.

Earle Partington

Makakilo

Hawaiians should use political leverage

Finally, the Star-Advertiser gets it right in its reference to Hawaiians as nationalists in “Hawaiian nationalists fear effects of Trump win” (Star-Advertiser, Nov. 10).

Hawaiian nationals are descendants of the citizens of the nation of Hawaii that included ethnic Hawaiians, natural born and naturalized persons.

We need not fear President-elect Donald Trump, a businessman, negotiator and a non-politician.

The Clinton campaign worked hard; Trump’s worked smart. Nationals need to work smart in crafting a business plan (constitution) to convince Congress that we can co-exist as a 100 percent independent nation on 25 percent of our lands, for now.

The entitlements that Native Hawaiians receive are peanuts compared to the economic and financial opportunities nationals create by reinstatement and a peace treaty.

Forget the legal issues for now. Exercising political leverage to overcome political hurdles is the smart (Trump) way to success. Nationals hold the power to Hawaii’s economic future.

Jimmy Wong

Heeia

Don’t suppress half the voting public

The recent demonstrations in Waikiki reflect the feelings of a group of people obviously dissatisfied with a Trump presidency (“1,100 take Trump angst to the streets in Waikiki,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 14).

Now that we’ve had an election, it is important to recognize that these demonstrations are not just against Trump but against those who voted for him, a group that represents roughly half of the voting population.

The disrespect and ridicule generally felt by this group throughout the election process pushed many of them into silence. But while they were silent, they still had a voice at the ballot box and they spoke.

Now the same forces of suppression are continuing. Isn’t our inability to hear these other voices the reason why this year’s election was such a “surprise”?

Let’s recognize that half the voting population cannot all be wrong. We should create an environment where all voices are invited. Whether we agree or not, these voices deserve to be considered and respected.

John C. Post

Kakaako

Hawaii an example of peaceful change

I just viewed the President-elect Donald Trump “60 Minutes” interview. My partner had joined the group walk to the Trump International Waikiki Hotel — an upbeat, young, diverse gathering. Speeches were given representing concerns for the years ahead. The mood was positive, upbeat and friendly. Strangers engaged, spoke and interacted with aloha spirit. The diverse rainbow of the 50th State demonstrated how to respectfully air our differences and adhere to democratic principles.

These recent days have seen numerous post-election demonstrations turn to riots — mounting tensions, injuries, property damage and arrests.

Mainlanders could learn a valuable lesson from us regarding American freedom.

There is a healing opportunity in this time of political and ideological election unrest. As a physician, I know that a “tincture of time” is of value in any recovery process. Add a measure of active listening, thoughtful discussion and mutual compromise for a successful prescription.

Working together, our diverse island population can be a transition leader.

Will Brown

Moiliili

Play volleyball at the natatorium

Your editorial and Big Q poll about the natatorium ignore what to me is by far the best option (“New natatorium plan needs money,” Star-Advertiser, Our View, Nov. 12; “Do you favor a new plan to refurbish the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial, using chevrons to circulate water?,” Star-Advertiser, Big Q, Nov. 11).

Beach volleyball is a sport that is rapidly growing in popularity, with the University of Hawaii boasting one of the nation’s top programs, and has a history closely tied to Duke Kahanamoku and Waikiki.

Using the natatorium as a beachside volleyball stadium — similar to the venue we saw on the beach in Rio in the recent summer Olympics — would be the lowest-cost preservation option. What a treat it would be to sit in the historic stands while watching world-class athletes compete with a backdrop of Waikiki surf. I think many local volleyball fans would flock to watch, as would TV audiences.

David Kemble

Kailua