Editorials
Friday, July 4, 1997IT'S the nation's birthday, and the United States has plenty to celebrate in its own success as a nation and the growth of democracy throughout the world. The reversion of Hong Kong to China this week raised concerns that its citizens might find their democratic rights eroded, but the fact that the world will be watching closely might serve as a deterrent. Right to know helps
make democracy work
The Declaration of Independence, the document proclaiming independence from Britain and giving the reasons for that daring decision, speaks of governments "deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." That is the essential principle of democracy.
To make that consent meaningful, people must know what their government is doing. That means having access to information about government.
It is the responsibility of the Star-Bulletin to keep our readers informed about public affairs, but obtaining information from government can be a struggle. The First Amendment guarantees freedom of the press from government control. It means we can print, with some exceptions, whatever we want about government. But it doesn't compel government officials to provide any information -- to the press or to private citizens.
For this reason, laws have been enacted to ensure that information the public needs is made available by government. One recent example is the law providing public access to registries of addresses of sex offenders. This week the governor reported free travel and other gifts he received last year, in compliance with another right-to-know law. There is a continuing struggle over disclosure of information regarding disciplinary action taken against police officers.
This week has been designated as "Your Right to Know Week" by the American Society of Newspaper Editors. The Star-Bulletin has been publishing news stories and features examining the state of open government. Of particular concern are the rules being prepared by the state administration to implement the 1988 Uniform Information Practices Act. This measure gives the public a broad right to inspect or copy state and county records.
Democracy can't work unless the people are informed. The right to know is essential to the working of the democracy we celebrate today.
UNITED Airlines won't be letting families with small children board flights early any more, because it is determined to enhance its on-time performance. Unfortunately, travelers who have walked onto airplanes behind frazzled parents -- some of whom have diaper bags, strollers and fussy youngsters in tow -- suspect that United's change in policy may only cause more turbulence in the aisles. Pre-boarding madness
PEOPLE living near overhead electric power lines should have one less threat to worry about in the wake of a comprehensive study that found no link between childhood leukemia and electromagnetic fields created by power lines. The issue was raised in connection with the installation of high-voltage lines in Waipahu and again in the current controversy over lines on Waahila Ridge between Manoa and Palolo. Power lines study
The study is more confirmation that fears of health hazards from the power lines are unfounded. That should eliminate one objection to the proposal.
RESIDENTS of Kahala should be applauding a Circuit Court ruling that the owners of a two-story mansion must stop using it as a rooming house. Judge Dan Kochi ruled that the practice violated covenants limiting properties in the neighborhood to single-family dwellings. Rooming house
The property in question has 10 units with 16 bathrooms and a coin-operated laundry area. City inspectors found 22 people living there. This ruling should discourage similar practices.
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
