Editorials
Tuesday, January 27, 1998IN his State of the State speech, Governor Cayetano made his expected pitch for the recommendations of the Economic Revitalization Task Force but indicated he would be flexible, in contrast to a previous all-or-nothing attitude. This is more reasonable -- and also more realistic in view of the considerable opposition awaiting some of the proposals. The governor’s pitch
for task force planThe increase in the general excise tax from 4 percent to 5.35 percent has been the hottest issue raised in the tax package. While defending the package as vital to the revival of the economy, the governor invited the legislators to consider modifications. This could lead to changes in the proposals that might defuse the strong opposition from small business, the elderly and low-income groups. The county governments are also fighting the proposed reduction of their share of the hotel room tax, which would force them to raise property taxes.
But finding a formula acceptable to all will be a formidable task. Despite the attempt to assemble a broad-based group for the task force, it is evident that a number of important segments of the community felt left out and much of their criticism has been directed at the tax package.
Similarly, the governor stepped back from the task force's recommendation to abolish the state Land Use Commission, which is strongly opposed by environmentalists. He invited the critics to work with the state administration and Legislature to find ways to make the commission more efficient. Unfortunately, that is not likely to interest environmental activists, who have used the commission to delay and cancel construction projects by forcing developers to seek approvals at both the state and county levels.
Another fiercely controversial task force proposal involved the abolition of the elected Board of Education and the appointment by the governor of school boards for the four counties. This is a version of the appointed school board proposal rejected by the voters in the past. The governor is promoting it with the added twist of decentralization. It makes sense, but he faces an uphill fight on this issue.
As advertised, Cayetano announced the construction of a prison -- larger than any existing one -- in Kau on the Big Island, a welcome reversal of his initial refusal to proceed with prison construction. And he used the announcement to proclaim his support of privatization, proposing that the prison be built with private funds. It was disappointing that he failed to mention the need to revise the civil service law to permit privatizing efforts.
However, the governor also said he would be forwarding bills to consolidate departments of the state government with overlapping functions. Anything that improves government efficiency deserves support and this has a potential to achieve real savings. His idea of a state maritime authority is intriguing.
Cayetano struck the right note when he urged the community to unite to take action to strengthen the stagnant economy. Everybody can agree on that. But everyone does not agree on what that action should be.
BILLIE Beamer, a champion golfer in her youth who went on to a career in public service, most recently as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, is dead at age 70. Billie Beamer
Perhaps her most important government roles were director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and chairwoman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, from 1975 to 1978. In those positions she tried to reform the ailing homestead program, which remains a major issue to this day.
Beamer subsequently served as deputy director of the city Parks and Recreation Department under Mayor Eileen Anderson. She twice ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor -- in 1978 as a Democrat and in 1990 as a Republican.
Beamer was initially opposed to the creation of OHA in 1978 but changed her mind and was elected to the OHA board in 1994. She was a member of the faction that ousted Clayton Hee as chairman last year. In a recent memo to the attorney general, she charged that Hee and Budget Chairman Abraham Aiona improperly removed records from the chairman's office.
Billie Beamer contributed much to Hawaii as an athlete and a public official, particularly in Hawaiian affairs.
TREATMENT of visa applications at U.S. consulates throughout the world is likely to be affected by a decision by a federal judge that the visa policies at the consulate in Sao Paulo, Brazil, were illegal. District Judge Stanley Sporkin raised the issue of whether the State Department is illegally refusing to issue visas to foreigners solely because of their skin color, ethnic background or physical appearance. Policies on visas
The ruling was a victory for a former official of the Sao Paulo consulate, Robert E. Olsen, who was dismissed by the State Department on charges that he had failed to carry out his duties as a visa officer. Olsen said he refused to follow the guidelines in a manual issued to new visa officers that seemed discriminatory.
The judge said Olsen was dismissed because he objected to a policy that resulted in the routine denial of visas to Brazilians who were black or of Asian or Arab descent. Records showed that diplomats treated applicants with disdain if they were poorly dressed or appeared impoverished.
The decision appears to be a needed blow for greater fairness in the visa process. Judgments based on race or other arbitrary standards rather than character reflect poorly on the United States and should be eliminated. Taking more care with applications might require additional visa officers but that would be worth the cost.
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
