Editorials
Thursday, September 4, 1997POLICE Chief Michael Nakamura has expressed concern that a proposal that the chief face a job evaluation every five years would politicize his department. However, the review process proposed by City Councilman Jon Yoshimura is aimed at achieving accountability, not political ends. Nakamura's opposition to the proposal is unjustified. Five-year police chief
term is a good ideaThe present system of the police chief being selected by the Police Commission was adopted in the 1930s after corruption scandals touched the Police Department. The commission was given the authority to hire and fire the chief.
Under Yoshimura's proposal, unanimously endorsed by the City Council, that would not change. The chief would be required after five years to prepare plans of goals and objectives for the next five. The commission would decide every five years whether the chief should be reappointed. There would be no limit on the number of terms a chief could serve.
Nakamura said in a letter that police chiefs "will have to worry about pleasing the members of the Police Commission, or the political leaders who appoint and confirm the members of the Police Commission, if they wish to be reappointed."
The chief has reason now to be concerned about the commission, which can fire him at any time. The five-year review proposal by Yoshimura merely provides a process for responsible accountability. Political considerations should not be a part of the process, and open proceedings during the review process should provide that assurance.
The issue is not about Nakamura, who plans to retire soon. It is about preventing any police chief from feeling apart and immune from attempts to hold him accountable.
TAIWAN'S President Lee Teng-hui is making an overnight stopover here en route to Central and South America, but the Republic of China is trying to avoid publicity about the visit. A spokeswoman at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office -- the unofficial consulate -- said she was not authorized to provide any information about the president's visit. Taiwan's president
The United States no longer recognizes Taiwan as the government of China, but it should continue to treat Taiwan's leaders as friends, if only on an unofficial basis. This visit is a chance to make amends for the shabby treatment President Lee received here three years ago.
THE people of Hawaii were startled and concerned when Governor Cayetano collapsed at Washington Place and was rushed by ambulance to Queen's Hospital, a block away. They were relieved to learn that the governor's health problem was not particularly serious -- a bleeding ulcer caused by a bacterial infection that doctors say can be cured with antibiotics, probably in a few weeks. Cayetano is expected to be released from the hospital this weekend. Governor's illness
Vicky Cayetano, who found her husband unconscious on the floor next to their bed, had a scare but expressed relief to learn the problem was relatively minor. We join her in wishing the governor a speedy recovery.
ANOTHER in the series of air carriers challenging the dominance of Hawaii's two principal airlines -- Aloha and Hawaiian -- has shut down, at least temporarily. Mahalo Air, which has competed with lower fares and turboprop planes, was forced to halt operations Tuesday night. The company had failed to meet a deadline for a $1.5 million insurance payment. At this writing Mahalo's management still hoped to acquire investment capital and resume operations, possibly as soon as tomorrow. Mahalo Air's woes
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
