WE'VE devoted a lot of coverage to the Hawaii High School Athletic Association the past several weeks. What will it take to
open HHSAA doors?Its policy of closing its doors on the public has been our focus.
Parents who have children in HHSAA member schools have no right to view the association's budget, attend meetings or have a say as to who runs the show.
Last week, HHSAA president Anthony Ramos said he was inclined to bring up the issue of secrecy at the next board meeting, Aug. 5.
One problem. The idea of openness will be discussed once more in secrecy.
We have only the word -- if they so choose to offer it -- of board members that they actually discussed ways to make their proceedings more open.
And, of course, we're lucky to get whatever scraps they throw us. They are -- after all -- a "nonprofit private corporation" with tax-exempt status at both the state and federal level.
Last week, we ran the results of a survey of high school athletic associations across the country that showed the HHSAA, which regulates athletes in both public and private schools in Hawaii, is unique in its philosophy.
It's the only association that has the temerity to shut out the public despite taking tax money for its support, charging membership dues from public and private schools, and operating out of a public school facility (Stevenson Intermediate).
Most of the associations see openness as a way to garner all-important parent support.
I was drawn to a story in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review by Brad Bumsted that tells me we're not the only paper in the country scrutinizing a state high school athletic association.
The Pittsburgh story, dated July 18, dealt with revelations about the spending habits of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.
The facts were based upon expense records provided the state senate by the PIAA. Imagine that. Letting senators and media know what's really happening to money that's supposed to be for the kids.
Seems the PIAA -- which enjoys a tax-exempt status similar to the HHSAA -- entertains and travels in style.
But here's the part of the Tribune-Review story that really caught my eye:
''The PIAA is a non-profit corporation, but senators consider it a public agency since its rulings govern the affairs of high school sports."
It boggles the mind when you think of the way the local board operates. Keep in mind that four out of five board members are public school principals.
'' . . . since its rulings govern the affairs of high school sports."
What else should we need to pry open the HHSAA doors?
THE Pennsylvania state senate obviously doesn't buy the argument that being a nonprofit corporation allows the PIAA to run away and hide with its operations. The PIAA is taking care of high school athletes statewide. That's all the senate needs to know to require accountability.
When it was part of the Department of Education, the HHSAA was almost overlooked. Whatever the board decided was considered good enough for DOE business in all matters.
When the HHSAA went independent in 1995, clandestine operation seemed to be getting the DOE's official stamp of approval.
Only now is the BOE starting to take note of exactly how arrogant the HHSAA -- which is supposed to represent the needs of student-athletes -- has become.
And why has it become such a tight-lipped organization?
Well, the answer lies in the fact that nobody has ever bothered to question the HHSAA hierarchy.
''Oh well, I'm sure the board has the best interests of the students in mind," is the phrase I have heard from athletic directors throughout the years.
Sometimes, I've wondered if this was Honolulu or Stepford.
Pat Bigold has covered sports for daily newspapers
in Hawaii and Massachusetts since 1978.