1) featured on Star Bulletin
http://starbulletin.com/2004/01/09/editorial/indexletters.html
Taunting led to fracas at bowl game
Seems like there is an organized effort to slam Coach June Jones and the University of Hawaii football team for the fight at the Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Day.
I was sitting one row behind the Houston fans section. Most of them were well-mannered, and we even made friends with some of them. But there were Houston fans who turned around and taunted UH fans while Houston was winning. When Houston started losing and Hawaii fans started cheering, these Houston fans were giving the finger to Hawaii fans. I also saw Houston players giving the finger to UH fans.
The fact is that Houston and Conference USA hate losing to the WAC. I've never seen the winning team start a fight, and I clearly saw Houston players start the fight and several who kept it going just when you thought it was under control. To those saying that Hawaii players should have just walked away, let's punch out one of your family members and see how long you stand around and watch!
Craig Watase
Honolulu
AMEN Mr. Watase
2) Featured on 1/9/04 edition of Honolulu Advertiser
Condemnation of Vili the Warrior uncalled for
Sandra Williams' personal attack on Vili the Warrior mascot in your Dec. 28 issue is offensive.
Every institution in America that has a football team at the collegiate level has some kind of "obnoxious mascot" representing its fine institution and has, from time to time, said or done things that have left a bad taste in people's mouths.
For her to insinuate that Vili is a disgrace and should be banned from any University of Hawai'i athletic event is ludicrous and outright ridiculous. Vili is a wonderful husband to his wife, Linda, and their four beautiful sons, and he is the epitome of what a Warrior is. Vili has been a blessing and an asset to the UH athletic department and does his job with the utmost professionalism in preparing for every event.
A Samoan saying, "Fa'amalosi," means "be strong." Vili, you will persevere no matter what.
Lua Tuiasosopo
'Ewa Beach
AMEN Lua Tuiasosopo!
Mascots are supposed to be menacing towards it's opposition and friendly to its allies. That is what Vili does. We need an aggressive mascot, and Vili gives us that! We dont want any wimpy mascot like the previous Hawaii mascots (ie. marshmallow man, some guy in a fake warrior costume which didnt look aggressive as Vili)
