Vulcans sliding
The University of Hawaii at Hilo Vulcan athletic department finished academic year 2018 in 12th place again in the Pacific West Conference race for the Commissioner’s Cup award (Tribune-Herald, June 11). Since Athletic Director Patrick Guillen took over the department, the Vulcans have dropped from 10th place in academic year 2015, to 11th place in academic year 2016, to 12th place in academic year 2017.
In the competition’s inaugural year, academic year 2008, the Vulcans finished in first place with former AD Kathleen McNally. As other rich and powerful schools joined the conference, the Vulcans were relegated to the lower half of the standings.
Help arrived by way of incremental funding increases and scholarship accommodations. Now, with the highest level of institutional support ever, the Vulcans should improve but have gotten worse. Attribute any success to the coaches, who work their butts off practically alone.
After three full years, Guillen has had his opportunity and is failing miserably. Is he increasing endowments similar to the 2,000 percent he claims he did at California State University at Dominguez Hills?
What are his significant accomplishments here? Resurfacing the gym floor into a $100,000 slippery liability? Dr. Seuss Day?
The demoralized Vulcans are sadly going backward. New leadership is needed more than ever before! Third from last cannot be acceptable!
Glen Kagamida
Former Vulcan business manager
Got money?
Excuse me, but I can’t understand those Hawaii County Council members who voted “No” on the one-quarter percent general excise tax measure.
Hey, we have a huge disaster that is still ongoing. The final bill is not in. Lots of our tourism-based businesses tanked. All of this is gonna take money and time to recover from. Years.
Plus, don’t dismiss the upcoming national recession predicted in a couple of years. Means even less money available. For years.
You think a one-quarter percent GET hike is bad? Then face the untold “real costs” of not having enough money. Gets worse before it gets better.
Sure, any tax increase impacts us individually. But, collectively, it enables us to benefit from government services. If you think people living in another area experiencing catastrophes doesn’t affect you, think again. Their distress becomes your concern, too. Taxes are collected for all taxpayers, whether or not you’re enduring hardship.
We pay for what we get. GET it?
Lloyd Fukuki
Waimea
