HALLELUJAH, a miracle has occurred -- and it's not France finally winning the World Cup or the IRS admitting that, OK, it might have been a "little" heavy-handed in seizing taxpayer assets. Rejoice! A chance to
improve state courtsThe usually staid and officious third branch of government, the Hawaii State Judiciary, is inviting members of the public to answer surveys so it can learn how to become more efficient in its day-to-day operations.
Wow. Perhaps, like me, you find this magnanimous gesture a bit mind-boggling.
It's akin to John Paul II asking non-Catholics what they think about abortion, women priests and same-gender marriage.
It's like Bill Clinton asking the American people if they believe his statement, "I never had sex with that woman."
You'd think the pope had already made up his mind. You'd think the president wouldn't want to know.
But there's an absence of holier-than-thou attitude these days at the state Judiciary.
For residents, this is an historic event. When was the last time the chief justice of the Supreme Court asked each of us, personally, what judicial and community services should be kept or cut, and how personnel can be more effective and responsive?
That's right: Never.
Which is why the Judiciary is itching to distribute 8,000 questionnaires, which should be completed and returned by July 24. Then a review committee -- whose members will be appointed by the big man himself, Chief Justice Ronald Moon -- will cull through the comments and issue recommendations, which will also be shared with the public for feedback.
Be still, my heart. To paraphrase Oscar-winning actress Sally Field, "The Judiciary likes us. It really, really likes us!"
Michael Broderick, administrative director of the courts, said a formal plan is scheduled to be completed by mid-January so it can be presented to the new session of the state Legislature.
Broderick said he hopes the Judiciary can maintain its current level of service and avoid layoffs among its 1,650 employees, despite a shrinking annual budget since 1992. "We don't come into the process with any particular agenda," Broderick told a Star-Bulletin reporter.
But there are definite concerns about expenditures and workloads. Legislators have been adding more functions to the Judiciary, including entities like the Children's Advocacy Center, the Drug Corps and Drivers License Revocation Office, without providing the additional resources. Something, somewhere, has got to give.
THEREFORE, anyone out there who has ever complained about the clogged-up court system, wondered why an important social service isn't getting enough funding, or griped about the cost of filing or user fees, should visit the main courthouse on each island to pick up a survey, or call the Judiciary's Public Affairs Office at 539-4910. Once completed, it may be turned in through designated drop boxes at the courthouses or by mail.
Here's the deal: When a black-robed judge enters or exits a courtroom, we stand as a show of respect to the esteemed profession and the concept of justice. Now, it's payback time. The Judiciary is symbolically rising and asking for our views and concerns, so it can do a better job for all of us.
Praise the Lord for yet another governmental miracle.
Diane Yukihiro Chang's column runs Monday and Friday.
She can be reached by phone at 525-8607, via e-mail at
DianeChang@aol.com, or by fax at 523-7863.