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Editorials
Friday, November 3, 2000
Our endorsements
for state officesThe issue: The Star-Bulletin announces its endorsements for state offices -- the Board of Education, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and one legislative post, the 20th Senate District -- and its recommendations on proposed constitutional amendments.
KAPOLEI optometrist Hank Makini provides an opportunity for change in the 20th state Senate district, which has been controlled by public employee unions for the past eight years. Makini, a Republican, would bring independence to representation of the state's fastest-growing area.
Since receiving his doctorate from Pacific University in 1987, Makini has been practicing optometry mainly in Central and Leeward Oahu.
Makini has an understanding of the needs of small business that is badly needed in the Legislature. His top priority is to lower Hawaii schools' student-teacher ratio. He favors reducing the state government work force but supports funding the 14.5 percent pay raise arbitration award for members of the Hawaii Government Employees Association.
Independence has been lacking in the incumbent, Democrat Brian Kanno, who has been an embarrassment to his district because of his blind allegiance to public employee unions. When he chaired the Senate Labor Committee, Kanno went out of his way to fight reform of workers compensation, at one point hiding to avoid being confronted by reform advocates.
He also blocked proposals to allow privatization of some government services.
Kanno seemed uncertain last year on whether to reconfirm Margery Bronster as attorney general when the HGEA adopted a position of neutrality. A puzzled Kanno dutifully went to HGEA leader Russell Okata for instruction, then cast his vote against Bronster. He has since apologized after realizing that his real constituents were infuriated by his vote.
Makini has the background and integrity to know what is best for his neighbors from Ewa Beach to Makakilo without seeking instructions from public employee unions or other special interests.
OHA Board of Trustees
IN view of the Supreme Court decision in Rice vs. Cayetano, which invalidated the Hawaiians-only restriction on voting for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and opened the OHA elections to all registered voters in Hawaii, the Star-Bulletin has decided to endorse candidates in these elections. The endorsements are:
Board of Education
HERE are the Star-Bulletin's endorsements in the elections for the state Board of Education:
Star-Bulletin Election Guide
THE general election ballot includes three proposed amendments to the Hawaii State Constitution. Two of the amendments should be approved; one should be rejected. Where we stand on
proposed amendments
The proposed amendment, while granting the university board of regents "exclusive jurisdiction" over the internal structure, management and operation of the university, provides that the Legislature retains authority to enact "laws of statewide concern" that could affect the university.
A legislative conference committee added a sentence to the amendment stating that the Legislature "shall have the exclusive jurisdiction to identify laws of statewide concern." This appears to mean that there could be no appeal to the courts from a legislative determination that an action affecting the university was "of statewide concern."
Rather than ensure autonomy for the university, this could mean greater authority for the Legislature to interfere in UH affairs. A UH autonomy amendment should be free of such problems. Our recommendation: vote no.
Star-Bulletin Election Guide
Published by Liberty Newspapers Limited PartnershipRupert 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
