Editorials
Monday, August 26, 1996
Governor should have option
to accept trips
GOVERNOR Cayetano's policy of accepting travel expenses from private companies pursuing state contracts has drawn fire. Now comes the latest round, one tied to bribery allegations about the Tokyo parent company of a subsidiary playing his host. Cayetano has determined that tax savings in accepting the invitation justify the policy. The bribery allegations in Japan, which have nothing to do with Hawaii, should not be a consideration.
The governor's free travel has included missions aimed at luring the Mayo Clinic to open health-care facilities in Hawaii and encouraging telecommunications companies like AT&T to improve their operations in the state. Cayetano is currently on a trip to the mainland to view four aquariums and two children's museums developed by Kajima International, before he heads to Chicago's Democratic National Convention.
Cayetano wants the state to contract out development of an aquarium on the Kakaako waterfront. Kajima is highly qualified, having been partners in government aquarium projects in Tampa, Fla., and Long Beach, Calif. In addition, Cayetano's itinerary - with Budget Director Earl Anzai, aide Joseph Blanco, Waikiki Aquarium Director Bruce Carlson and development official Jan Yokota - also includes projects in Chicago, New Orleans, Minneapolis and Bloomington, Minn.
The former speaker of Miyagi Prefectural Assembly reportedly has been given a suspended sentence in Japan for acting as a mediator of Kajima Corp., Kajima International's parent, which gave a 10 million yen bribe to the Sendai mayor. Marvin Suomi, executive vice president of Kajima International, points out that his company has been conducting business in America for 32 years and acts independently of its parent.
The bribery allegations in Japan should have no bearing on Cayetano's negotiations with Kajima International to possibly develop an aquarium in Kakaako. The governor should continue to have the option of accepting trips that could further Hawaii's economic development - as long as he makes those financial arrangements open to public scrutiny and opinion.
Ultimately, it will be up to Cayetano's "bosses - the people of Hawaii - to decide whether privately paid sojourns, like visiting mainland aquariums and children's museums compliments of Kajima International, are useful and warranted.
Diamond Head camps
ILLEGAL campsites have existed for years along the slopes of Diamond Head, but the state Department of Land and Natural Resources finally seems serious about eliminating them. Campers should not be allowed to despoil Hawaii's most identifiable landmark.
A few good women
FIRST came Shannon, who tried and failed. Now come Jeanie, Nancy, Petra and Kim, who will attempt to end The Citadel's 153-year-old tradition of accepting only men into its military academy in Charleston, S.C. While these four women are simply trying to get as good an education as is available to men in this country, they are also overdue symbols of societal change and gender progress.
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