Beaver gets nod
to head parole board

An investigation by the attorney general
fails to substantiate accusations
of favoritism, Cayetano says

By Mike Yuen
Star-Bulletin

Gov. Ben Cayetano says he will nominate Al Beaver, interim chairman of the Hawaii Paroling Authority, to a full term as head of the three-member panel.

That's because an investigation by Attorney General Margery Bronster failed to substantiate complaints that subordinates lodged against Beaver to block his nomination, Cayetano said.

The accusations included the claim -- which couldn't be supported -- that Beaver gave favorable treatment to a union official's son.

"There was no favoritism in my mind," Cayetano said yesterday. "In one case, Mr. Beaver didn't even know the people who were involved.

"The facts," Cayetano added, support Beaver, whose name will be sent to the Senate for confirmation to a four-year appointment.

The allegations against Beaver were based on "misleading information," Cayetano said. "That's not to say that Mr. Beaver can't improve. Certainly, I think sometimes the choice of words he uses in expressing himself can be improved," Cayetano said.

Supporting Beaver's nomination are all four county prosecutors, the U.S. attorney's office and the law enforcement community, Cayetano said.

Cayetano appointed Beaver to head the authority on a temporary basis after Claudio Suyat resigned last year, six months before his term was to end.

The chairman of the parole board earns $78,000 annually and leads a panel that sets minimum terms for the state's inmates and has final say on their release into the community.

Beaver, who has worked as a Honolulu police officer, Waianae High School teacher, insurance adjuster and University of Hawaii football coach, has described himself as a disciplinarian who doesn't "spare the rod or the love."

The staffers who sought to derail Beaver's nomination are "a contingent of staff members who pretty much had the run of things for many, many years and they disagree with Mr. Beaver on how certain things should be done," Cayetano said.

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LEGISLATURE UPDATE

A calendar of tomorrow's hearings -- to be held at the state Capitol, 415 S. Beretania St., unless noted. Hearings marked with an asterisk will be aired live on Oceanic Channel 52 and TCI Cable 52:

HOUSE

Economic Development/Tourism/Human Services and Housing: Joint hearing on resolutions requesting a study on the effects of homeless people at Honolulu Airport and recommending solutions. Economic Development hearing on resolutions requesting the governor and others to promote the purchase of services and products made in Hawaii. Decision-making to follow, 8:30 a.m., Room 423.

Environmental Protection: Hearing on bill relating to threatened and endangered species and resolution requesting a management and financial audit of the environmental health administration of the Department of Health. Decision-making to follow, 9 a.m., Room 312.

Hearing at 10:30 a.m. to follow on resolutions requesting a study on gasoline prices and Hawaii's gasoline market and requesting the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Hawaii's gasoline prices. Decision-making to follow, Room 312.

Human Services and Housing/Health: Hearing on resolutions requesting a study to determine demographics of the homeless in Hawaii and requesting the Legislature and the Department of Health to express their commitment to sexual assault victims by restoring proposed budget cuts, 9:30 a.m., Room 329.

Consumer Protection: Hearing on bills relating to pharmacies, negotiable instruments, insurance and time share law. Decision-making to follow, 2 p.m., Room 325.

Higher Education: Joint briefing with Senate Education Committee to discuss comparative governance structures in other universities, 2 p.m., Room 309.

Finance: Hearing on bills relating to education, making emergency appropriation for the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation and special-purpose revenue bonds for the Queen's Health Systems, 2 p.m.

Hearing at 3 p.m. to follow on bills relating to rental housing trust fund, child protection and medical assistance. Hearing at 5 p.m. to follow on bills relating to regulatory processes, real property appraisals and utility transmission lines. Decision-making to follow each hearing, if time permits, Room 308.

SENATE

Judiciary*: Hearing on resolutions requesting data collection relating to sexual harassment in state agencies and a proposed educational training program for state agency directors and management, and requesting a management audit of the criminal injuries compensation commission and fund, 8:30 a.m., Room 229.

Economic Development/Water, Land and Hawaiian Affairs: Joint hearing on resolution relating to the development of a smart park in Kakaako. Economic Development hearing on resolutions requesting plans to develop and improve existing small boat harbors and decision-making on bill relating to aquatic resources. Decision-making to follow if time permits, 2 p.m., Room 212.

Education: Joint briefing with House Higher Education Committee to discuss comparative governance structures in other universities, 2 p.m., Room 309.

Human Resources: Hearing on resolutions requesting a management and program audit of child protective services and requesting an investigation into creation of a public-private keiki trust fund. Decision-making to follow, if time permits, 2 p.m., Room 225.