Cayetano: ‘Hawaii has a
tremendous story to tell’

In the 21st century, Hawaii will have a more diversified economy, local high-tech and bio-tech industries will emerge, and the state will become the gathering place for international meetings, says Gov. Ben Cayetano.

The governor, commenting on the past 100 years in Hawaii and his vision of the next century, last week said Hawaii has come from a society once ruled by a monarchy to one of "the great societies of the world."

"Hawaii has a tremendous story to tell the rest of the world in terms of how we developed as a people and as a society," he said.

"And I think that in the future, Hawaii will continue to occupy that kind of role, play that kind of role, and have that kind of vision."

DENTAL DISTRACTION:

The reason the governor wants the state Legislature to mandate fluoride in Hawaii's drinking water has nothing to do with bad teeth, says one state Senator.

Rather, says Sen. Whitney Anderson (R, Kailua), it has everything to do with distracting attention from issues surrounding the economy, education and the state hospitals.

"This is not to say that the health of our children's teeth is not important," Anderson said. "However, it must be realized that there are other alternatives to reduce tooth decay that do not require government interference," he said.

Anderson said avoiding these issues will push the 2000 legislature toward another "do-nothing" session.

"Bottom line, the Legislature and the governor must sink their teeth into real, substantive issues and keep government out of water glasses," he said.