THE Fourth of July, the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, recalls our nation's rebellious roots. It comes when voices in Hawaii are calling for a new revolution. In the course
of human eventsOne rebel is Richard Kelley, chairman of Outrigger Hotels. His call to revolt came in last Sunday's newspaper, where he made the case that ''Hawaii is now in a state of crisis beyond anything I've ever experienced during more than 60 years.'' Our bankruptcy rate is breaking records, Kelley wrote, and our school system and business climate are national jokes.
The Declaration said King George III had ''erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.'' Likewise, Hawaii's big, slow, inefficient government.
Wali Osman, Bank of Hawaii economist, wrote in the most recent Bankoh Business Trends newsletter that the key to a successful Hawaii economy is efficiency. ''Liberalization of land markets, encouragement of financial market expansion and clear provision for labor market rules are the steps island economies can take to become efficient...'' In other words, free up the resources, keep labor under control and get out of the way.
Declaration signer Ben Franklin supposedly said, ''People who love sausage and respect the law should never watch either one being made.'' It's time for some good sausage makers to make mincemeat out of the status quo.