Editorials

Wednesday, May 8, 1996

Hawaii should remain
part of Pacific council

HAWAII'S status as a state, its relatively large population and its economic and social development make it an obvious leader of the Pacific islands, particularly those under the American flag. Many Pacific islanders who have gone on to prominent roles in their homelands have studied at the University of Hawaii and other institutions here. Conferences of Pacific island organizations are often held here and some have their headquarters here.

In view of this record and the continuing need for Hawaii's participation, Governor Cayetano's decision to withdraw the state from the Pacific Basin Development Council, reported by A.A. Smyser, the Star-Bulletin's contributing editor, is regrettable. The council is comprised of the governors of Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Marianas. Gerald Norris, director of the council's Honolulu headquarters, says the other governors want the organization to continue. Former Gov. George Ariyoshi, who helped found the PBDC, calls the withdrawal "very unfortunate."

An aide to the governor says the decision to withdraw was primarily economic. But it only saves the state annual dues of $63,000, a trivial amount even in view of the need to cut state spending. A more plausible explanation is that Cayetano is pressed for time and is forced to choose between conflicting engagements. His aides insist that he is not turning his back on the Pacific and note his schedule of activities related to the islands. The governor has also expressed appreciation for the work of the East-West Center and concern over its fate.

Still, the withdrawal sends the wrong message. It indicates a retreat from Hawaii's leadership role, even though that may not be the intention. As former Governor Ariyoshi noted, Hawaii's statehood status can be helpful to the other U.S. Pacific territories in their dealings with the federal government.

Cayetano eliminated the 10-person Office of International Relations, which was established during the Waihee administration as a means of enhancing Hawaii's international role. This was necessary in view of the state's fiscal squeeze. Withdrawal from the Pacific Basin Development Council is not.

And despite all the other demands on him, the governor should make time to meet with his counterparts on the Development Council.


Other editorials in brief:

Vendors' restrictions

VENDORS of T-shirts and other merchandise are thankfully no longer to be seen at such Oahu landmarks as Diamond Head and Hanauma Bay now that both the city and state have banned such sales in public parks. An administrative rule that was signed by Governor Cayetano last month and went into effect Monday forbids sales of such items as food, clothing, flags, records, audio or video tapes or coffee mugs. Literature may be sold or distributed by vendors equipped with portable chairs or tables, but tents, canopies, podiums and platforms are taboo. Organizations engage in a sham when they sell merchandise carrying messages only so vendors can claim First Amendment free-speech rights.


War crimes trial

THE first war-crimes trial since World War II is under way in The Hague. The accused is a Bosnian Serb charged with murder and torture at Serbian prisoner camps. Dusan Tadic is accused of killing more than 30 Muslims and Croats and torturing more than a dozen female prisoners in the Omarska prison camp in northwestern Bosnia in 1992.

Under the circumstances, it would be naive to expect all sides to voluntarily turn in the accused. But the United States and other Western nations should apply what leverage they have to bring the criminals to trial.





Published by Liberty Newspapers Limited Partnership

Rupert E. Phillips,CEO

John M. Flanagan,Editor & Publisher

David Shapiro,Managing Editor

Diane Yukihiro Chang,Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor

Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner,Assistant Managing Editors

A.A. Smyser,Contributing Editor



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