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Iwase’s labor position
hits stumbling blockWeb site would consolidate child-related sites
By Richard Borreca
Star-BulletinThe appointment of Sen. Randy Iwase as chairman of the state Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board is raising questions because Iwase does not practice labor or workers' compensation law.
Sen. Marshall Ige yesterday asked for clarification from the attorney general about the specific requirements for Iwase's new appointment.
"The law says the successor must be qualified -- it directs us to continue the board members as long as they are effective," Ige said.
The issue is of concern for the Labor Board appointment because it is for 10 years, much longer than most board appointments and because the law specifically says: "It is in the public interest to continue board members in office as long as efficiency is demonstrated."
Ige wants to know if they can vote for Iwase without first saying that they find the present chairman, Frank Yap, to be unqualified.
Iwase yesterday would not comment on Yap's qualifications, but he said that while he doesn't practice labor law, he has been an advocate of workers' compensation law reform and has helped write the present law.
Others, however, say the Hawaii's workers' compensation law is difficult and doesn't follow general law practice.
Jeffrey Taylor, who has practiced workers' comp law for more than 20 years and is the co-author of "Workers Compensation in Hawaii: Issues and Answers," says any of the three people on the board should be experienced labor attorneys.
"There's an extreme learning curve in this field. It doesn't come from a set of civil procedures or rules of evidence," Taylor said.
The appeals cases come to the board from the state disabilities claims hearings officers, so you have to know how the hearings officers treat the cases, plus you have to understand the medical testimony and rules, Taylor said.
"He might be excellent, my only fear is the training," Taylor said.
Ige, however, noted that he has received several phone calls from people concerned that Iwase is being appointed by Gov. Ben Cayetano because he is a political ally of the governor's.
"The accusation of cronyism is a serious one. Is he a crony or is he truly qualified?" Ige asked.
Web site would consolidate
Star-Bulletin
child-related sites"For the Sake of the Children" would be a new Web site consolidating current Web sites on missing children, convicted child molesters and delinquent child support payments, under House and Senate resolutions.
"If we can get them all linked together, I think it would be very helpful," said Rep. Dennis Arakaki (D, Kalihi Valley).
State Senate Concurrent Resolution 71 and House Concurrent Resolution 42 ask the governor to submit a report to the Legislature before the 2001 legislative session on site design, production cost and site maintenance for the Web site for access of information ensuring the safety of children.
"Hopefully, they'll establish the Web site right away and not wait until next year," Arakaki said.
Anne Clarkin, coordinator for the Hawaii Clearinghouse on Missing Children, has reservations about the cost-effectiveness of the site and duplication of existing Web sites.
"Perhaps a page that links the sites that we do have already might be in order," she said.
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