Editorials
Wednesday, August 6, 1997GOVERNOR Cayetano's assembling of a task force to spearhead revitalization of Hawaii's economy appears laden with pre-election politics and inherent gravitation to the status quo. Most of the 20 members named to the blue-ribbon panel are longtime island business executives who have had ample opportunity to provide their advice and leadership. Since the group is dominated by the people who have been running the show, new ideas would be surprising from their clubby, closed-door sessions. Small-business sense
is needed on task forceGovernment overregulation, high taxes and the public employee unions' stranglehold on county and state government have been blamed for Hawaii's sluggish economy, and a recent state Supreme Court decision hindering privatization of government services has added to the woes. The problems were summarized recently in a Star-Bulletin special report and a satirical article, "The People's Republic of Hawaii," in Forbes magazine. Cayetano called the story unfair, but it echoed the feelings of many small-business people.
The governor's task force includes corporate leaders and labor union officials. Among them are the heads of the two big banks and the two largest hotel chains, and the chief executive officers of major employers like Alexander & Baldwin, DFS (Duty Free Shoppers) Hawaii and Hawaiian Electric Industries.
But none of the task force's members are from the small-business sector. Cayetano's rationale may be that entrepreneurs are too busy anyway, and that the views of the little people on the economic spectrum will be expressed by Stanley Hong, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii. The chamber, however, is hardly known as an effective advocate for small business.
The most controversial of the blue-ribbon panelists may be Gary Rodrigues, head of the United Public Workers union, who has posed the greatest resistance in any attempts to downsize government. And unless political winds begin to shift dramatically, Rodrigues' approval will be required for any meaningful innovation along those lines.
Sorry, folks. Judging from its roster, Cayetano's economic task force is likely to produce only suggestions found to be politically acceptable to those in power. That won't be difficult coming from a group that for years has been directing Hawaii's economy and that doesn't want to disturb a boat that needs to be rocked. Get ready for a new version of "Thumbs up, Hawaii."
IN a Perfect Title world, its customers each pay $500 for a title search, from $1,500 to $2,000 in fees and costs for documents, and then can stop making their mortgage payments because the titles are "no good." No way, say their mortgage lenders. Now seven disgruntled customers have filed a class-action lawsuit against Perfect Title, which challenges titles under 19th-century Hawaiian monarchy law. It's about time this company is held accountable for its far-fetched claims. Imperfections in title?
FEDERAL anti-smoking rules are expected to reach new limits of ludicrousness this week, with President Clinton signing an executive order to ban smoking outside of federal buildings of the executive branch. That prospect has some freedom-seeking refugees from Eastern Europe wondering if they took a wrong turn. Where there's smoke
"We are very suspicious of these little things," Czech native Jarmila Cech told a reporter while smoking outside the Washington building where Voice of America broadcasters speak of American freedom to the world. "Then it will be something else. Junk food? Fast cars?" Jarmila, please don't give the administration any more bright ideas.
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
