UH FOOTBALL

WAC CHAMP WARRIORS STILL HAD A GREAT SEASON

I know that it really broke everyone's heart, what happened in Louisiana. But we are still the WAC champs (undisputed), and we had the best season of our lives this year. Thank you for that. You tried your best, but they were really different from what we are used to.

Maybe we can take something from this and improve. It's a big world out there and it doesn't get much different from that in the pro's. Take care, God bless and you are still loved by many.

WARRIORS COULD HAVE HAD A BETTER SHOWING

I can't help but fester in my disappointment over our Sugar Bowl loss to Georgia. Not because we lost, but because I believe the outcome could have been better. It was obvious from the start that the players were unprepared for a game of this caliber, and the UH coaching staff is accountable. From the offensive line not being ready for Georgia's speed and agility, to not knowing the TV timeouts would be longer during a BCS game, to constantly trying the shovel pass play, the coaching decisions were deplorable.

Additionally, the decision to keep Brennan in despite his inefficient play was mind-boggling. Not once did I see any energy or motivation displayed by the coaches as the cameras panned the sidelines. The body language of both the coaches and the players said it all, as early as the second quarter.

In contrast, when Graunke was finally allowed to play, he marched the Warriors down the field for their one and only touchdown, something that could have happened earlier had Brennan been pulled.

We may not have won, but we could have done better if better preparation and decisions had been made.

VACATION RENTALS

DICKENS TALE MIGHT OFFER LESSONS ON B&BS

This morning I received an unexpected visit from a friendly fellow who admitted to owning an illegal tourist rental on the North Shore. He came armed with data trying to support legalizing all tourist rentals in residential neighborhoods. He did his best to change my mind about the issue, using economic arguments. He just didn't understand.

The ghost of Christmas past could show this fellow how in the old days they were forbidden "because we must have areas free from commercialism where local folks can lead their daily lives." The ghost of Christmas present could show him the problems already being caused. The ghost of Christmas future could show him an island without clean water, with beach access only for the wealthy and tourists, with polluted white sand beaches so covered with hotels and commercial businesses there is no room for the local folks.

That makes the B&B debate, at its most fundamental, a moral issue. It is a moral issue when it is at the expense of our friends' and neighbors' quality of life and our finite resources. When do we draw the line in the sand and say "no more," regardless of the personal sacrifice it may require?

Yet he was all about making the monthly payment on his second home. Nothing was said about the impact on his less entrepreneurial North Shore neighbors at all. Kind of like Mr. Scrooge.

My apology to Mr. Dickens.

FOREIGN POLICY

'NEW THINKING' NEEDED ON DEVELOPING NATIONS

Sen. Richard Lugar's and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's call for a Civilian Reserve Corps to help stabilize nations at risk should be heard, because military-civilian initiatives in assistance and development are the future. Still, critics who argue "existing personnel and organizations" are enough have a point.

Perhaps what is needed is what retired Lt. Gen. W.C. Gregson called "new thinking" about how government and civilian capabilities can be integrated to help developing nations (Commentary, Dec. 7). This new thinking was seen in Pacific Partnership 2007, which saw the U.S. Navy, regional powers, and NGOs bring medical, dental and engineering assistance to developing countries in Asia and the Pacific.

This initiative was an exercise in relationship building across national, cultural, and organizational boundaries. Yet not only are these relationships important for regional and global security, but so is opportunity for tradesmen, agriculturalists and small entrepreneurs in poor communities.

Military-civilian initiatives can foster the first and set the stage for the second, becoming a bridge between assistance and development. Another "corps" may be useful in this, but wouldn t it be wiser to learn more about building that bridge of relationships instead of merely trying to leap the abyss once again?

HOMELESSNESS

TAXPAYERS FOOT THE BILL FOR UTILITIES AT PARKS

There's no such thing as free utilities.

BWS and HECO bill the city for utility usage at all city parks and campgrounds. The city pays with tax revenue and also pays the city workers who maintain the parks and comfort stations.

Aren't taxpayers lucky? We get to pay twice — for what we use in our own homes and again for what the houseless consume.

Don't get me wrong. I'm sympathetic to the plight of those who work and still don't make enough for the basics. All of us need to do what we can to make sure everyone is paid a livable wage. But I have no aloha for those who are taking advantage of the system and not doing their share.

There should be no "free lunch," even for the houseless. If the city isn't going to come up with a solution to the housing problem or mandate a livable wage, then our elected officials setting policy should make sure those using the resources at least pay for what they consume, in either cold, hard cash or in-kind service to the community.