Editorials
Wednesday, October 21, 1998

UH library addition is
overdue improvement

AT long last the main research library at the University of Hawaii is getting more space. A ground-breaking ceremony has been held for a $45 million, six-story addition to Hamilton Library, named for a former UH president.

When completed, the project will increase Hamilton's floor space by 37 percent, from 223,265 square feet to 304,890 square feet. The first four floors will be devoted to science and technology, the remainder to archival and heritage collections, which require special air-conditioning for preservation. Construction is expected to take 20 months and the extension should be open for use in November 2000.

Built in 1965 and last expanded in 1977, Hamilton was designed to house 1.7 million books but has twice that number. Its condition was a disgrace for years. Lack of space forced librarians to store $10 million worth of books at Sinclair Library under conditions that left them vulnerable to mold and insect infestation. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges threatened the university with loss of accreditation if it did not correct the library's shortcomings.

In 1994 then-Gov. John Waihee changed priorities on the UH construction list and funded completion of the Stan Sheriff Arena rather than the library expansion. In 1996 the university moved the library up from tenth to first on its construction list for 1997-99. The Cayetano administration came up with the funds last year under the governor's $1 billion capital improvements program.

The library is the heart of any university. The UH's aspirations for excellence require quality libraries and research resources. The expansion of Hamilton Library is an overdue step toward achieving those aspirations.

Arrest of Pinochet

THE case of Gen. Augusto Pinochet, the former Chilean dictator who has been arrested at a hospital in London, could extend the prosecution of human rights abuses across national boundaries. The 82-year-old Pinochet was arrested Friday on a request for extradition from a Spanish magistrate on charges of murder, genocide and torture.

Chile's ambassador delivered a formal protest to the Foreign Office on Monday, saying Britain has violated Pinochet's diplomatic immunity. He arrived last month on a diplomatic passport and is also a senator for life, a position he acquired when relinquishing power, which protects him from prosecution in Chile. But Britain says diplomatic immunity is reserved for accredited diplomats or foreign government officials on official visits, which doesn't apply to Pinochet. He came to Britain on a private visit, for back surgery.

Pinochet's 17-year-rule was marked by torture and other abuses against political opponents. The Chilean government says 4,299 people were killed or vanished during that period, from 1973 to 1990. He remained army commander in chief until March.

Chilean Ambassador Mario Artaza, himself an exile during Pinochet's rule, said Chile had a duty to protect a citizen with diplomatic immunity and senator status. However, he added that the present government "does not support at all" Pinochet's record as dictator.

Spanish National Court magistrate Baltasar Garzon issued the arrest order, detailing the alleged killing or disappearance of 94 people, that British authorities acted on in arresting Pinochet. Judge Manuel Garcia Castellon, who has been investigating the killings and disappearances of up to 4,000 people in Chile during Pinochet's dictatorship, reportedly will hand over his files to his colleague Garzon in an attempt to strengthen the case against the Chilean leader.

Pinochet faces a long battle through British courts to avoid extradition. If he loses, other dictators with blood on their hands will think twice before traveling to foreign countries.

Tobacco lawsuit

FOUR states have agreed to out-of-court settlements totaling $37 billion from the tobacco industry for the costs of treating ailments from smoking. Hawaii is among other states that have filed suit against the industry. A settlement sought by Attorney General Margery Bronster, rather than litigation, would be the wisest course in recovering the state's costs of treatment.

Tobacco companies last year tried to negotiate a $368.5 billion legislative settlement that would have encompassed all states, eliminating punitive damages and the possibility of class-action suits. The proposal died in Congress, but the companies have continued to settle suits brought by individual states. Mississippi, Texas, Florida and Minnesota have agreed to settlements ranging from $3.6 billion to $15.3 billion.

Hawaii's claim is more modest: $1 billion in costs for treating such ailments as lung, mouth and throat cancers and emphysema. Bronster says Hawaii could receive more than $879 million if the state settles in the next few weeks. Talks between the industry and states that have not settled are scheduled to resume next week, according to a spokesman for Washington Attorney General Christine Gregoire, who is representing the states.

The industry has indicated it is willing to settle the states' lawsuits without the proviso that class-action suits be disallowed. Indeed, such a class-action suit went to trial this week in Florida, which has received $15.3 billion in tobacco money for its medical costs. Hawaii should insist that its citizens retain the right to bring class actions against the tobacco industry.

Circuit Judge Kevin Chang has given the state his approval to proceed on all 19 counts of its lawsuit, which is scheduled for trial next September. Bronster says the state is ready for trial, but an acceptable settlement would be preferable.

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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