WE learn early in civics about the separation of church and state. Leaders are not divine and government doesn't tell you what religion, if any, to follow. Religion finds way
into Hawaii politicsIn this election year, however, the issue of religion is with us.
After former state Sen. Stan Koki won the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor, Democrats characterized him as an extremist.
"I have seen Stan Koki in action from the time he used to come and testify (at the Legislature)," Gov. Ben Cayetano said the day after Koki won the primary.
Cayetano went on to warn that he couldn't "imagine anything more frightening than to have someone like Stan Koki one heartbeat away from the governorship."
He said Koki was intolerant and didn't respect the rights of others. "It's either their way or no way at all," Cayetano said.
Although there was no specific mention of religion, observers felt that Cayetano was talking about Koki as a conservative Christian. Although it wasn't a prominent part of his legislative agenda, Koki is identified with what people call the "religious right."
Koki attends the evangelical Church of the Nazarene in Kaneohe and backed the presidential campaign of Pat Robertson, the founder of the Christian Coalition.
Cayetano's attack, however, caught the eye of the Hawaii Catholic Herald, which is published by the Catholic Diocese of Hawaii, Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo is the publisher, Patrick Downes the editor.
Downes worried that Cayetano was going too far in his criticism of Koki.
In an editorial labeled: "The Governor's Christian-bashing" the paper asked why "it should be acceptable for the governor of the State of Hawaii to criticize, in extreme terms, another candidate for his religious beliefs."
The paper charged that Cayetano was "using Koki's faith as an opportunity to engage in some Christian-bashing in an attempt to pick up a few votes.
"It is difficult to support a person and a party that show such disdain for religious faith," the paper said.
In the next edition, after Cayetano protested to both the bishop and Downes, Cayetano answered the editorial. Cayetano said he never criticized Koki's religion or religious beliefs, but didn't agree with Koki's conservative "right-wing philosophy modeled after the views of U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich."
But Downes, as editor, answered Cayetano, acknowledging that while Cayetano did not criticize Koki's religious belief "his attack was more subtle and sweeping than that, more to Koki's Christian identity." Downes noted that the paper wasn't alone in its concern, because the Honolulu Advertiser also said Koki's opponents were attempting to "demonize him for his deeply felt convictions."
ALL sides could take some guidance from the late Gov. John A. Burns, a devout Catholic who allowed Hawaii's abortion bill to become law. Burns appreciated the moral dilemma more than many because his youngest son, who is now chief of the appellate court, was born after his wife was stricken with polio and doctors warned that she might die if the pregnancy were not aborted.
Despite his own religious feelings, Burns let the majority vote from the Legislature guide his decision not to veto the bill.
Burns' understanding of the role of government and religion still serves as a lesson for today's leaders.
Richard Borreca reports on Hawaii's politics every Wednesday.
He can be reached by e-mail at rborreca@pixi.com