The governor now finds himself in a sticky situation. Should Cayetano honor Matsuura's request to appoint the senator's 33-year-old son to the rest of his Senate term or until the next special election? David Matsuura runs the family farm, Orchid Isle Nursery in Hilo, and has never run for office, but his father says, "He knows my style. He knows what I stand for. He can finish the unfinished business." Or should Cayetano consider state Reps. Jerry Chang and Eric Hamakawa, who have more legislative experience and could hit the ground running?
Matsuura is putting Cayetano in the uncomfortable position of granting an ailing man's wish or appointing the person who the governor feels would best represent the citizens of Hilo. If Matsuura is unable to fulfill his duties and responsibilities, he should unconditionally resign and rely on the governor to select his successor.
The city should not be intruding on the state's primary responsibility to house its prisoners. The mayor is looking more and more like a political grandstander and candidate for higher office than a community leader who should be solving problems on his own turf.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a great American because of his ability to inspire idealism not only in African Americans but in Americans of all races. His day will be observed with great reverence as long as that inspiration remains alive.
Rupert E. Phillips, CEO
John M. Flanagan, Editor & Publisher
David Shapiro, Managing Editor
Diane Yukihiro Chang, Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor
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A.A. Smyser, Contributing Editor