Hawaii earmarks
settlement funds for
smoking preventionThe issue: The state has awarded
grants from its share of the tobacco
settlement to a variety or programs
aimed at curbing tobacco use.HAWAII appears to be among only a few states that are spending proceeds from the tobacco settlement responsibly. While the percentage of those funds devoted to smoking prevention has declined nationally since the first payments were made, Hawaii is earmarking one-fourth of its proceeds to such programs. That expenditure is an investment that is sure to bring returns from reduced costs in health care.
The tobacco companies' $206 billion settlement with states is to be spread across 25 years. Of the $21 billion paid during the fiscal years 2000 to 2002, more than half was targeted for uses unrelated to smoking, according to an analysis by the National Conference of State Legislatures. The settlement was intended to compensate the states for tobacco-related health-care expenses. The analysis showed 36.1 percent going to health services, 26 percent to bolster endowments or state budget reserves, 9.5 percent to education or youth programs, 5 percent to discourage tobacco use, 4.5 percent for research and 3.2 percent to help farmers and communities affected by reduced tobacco production.
"States are being extremely prudent in establishing trust funds and endowments that establish revenue in perpetuity," said Lee Dixon of the legislature conference. "As the tobacco payments decline, states that have chosen to create trust funds and endowments will continue to be able to fund new programs without finding other sources of revenue."
Hawaii's Legislature two years ago established a Hawaii Tobacco Prevention and Control Trust Fund to receive 25 percent of its $1.3 billion share of the long-term settlement. The state Department of Health is allocated 35 percent, and the remaining 40 percent goes into a "rainy day" emergency and budget reserve fund.
Grants totaling $650,000 in current settlement proceeds in Hawaii's tobacco trust fund have been awarded to a variety of programs aimed at smoking prevention or cessation. The programs are conducted by hospitals, schools, community associations and organizations such as the American Lung Association that are especially involved in combating nicotine addiction.
"These groups will receive the support needed to discourage tobacco use in the islands and to teach Hawaii residents how to lead healthy, smoke-free lives," Governor Cayetano said in announcing the grants. State Health Director Bruce Anderson said that 16 percent of Hawaii's deaths are due to tobacco use.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that at least 20 percent of the settlement proceeds go into smoking prevention programs. Such programs in California and Massachusetts demonstrate the resulting dividends: California estimates health-care savings of $390 million from reduced heart attacks and strokes caused by smoking during the first seven years of its tobacco prevention program. Massachusetts has reduced its health-care costs by $85 million a year, more than twice the cost of its tobacco prevention program.
Those policies should be contrasted with Tennessee, which recently spent the remaining $560 million of its current share of the national settlement on balancing its budget. Over the long term, Tennessee will pay for that choice in health-care expenditures that are not likely to subside.
Bishop Museum’s new
director has much to offerThe issue: William Yancey Brown
brings varied expertise to his new job as
director of Bishop Museum.Hawaii gets another welcome dose of fresh blood with the hiring of William Yancey Brown as the new director of Bishop Museum. Much like new University of Hawaii President Evan Dobelle, Brown arrives on the scene with the sturdy credentials he will need in guiding the 112-year-old institution.
Brown replaces Donald Duckworth, who managed to convert the museum from a dusty relic to a vital resource for Hawaii, despite controversy and severe budget cuts in his nearly17-year tenure. The new director should look to Duckworth's experiences to gauge what skills he'll have to hone to find his way through the thicket of politics -- both internal and external -- and financial problems of the museum.
Brown's academic qualifications appear excellent with degrees in law, education and the sciences. His employment background reflects enough environmental green, having worked with the Audubon Society, World Wildlife Foundation and the Environmental Defense Fund. Administrative and business savvy may come from his jobs with a waste management company and a consulting firm. His service in Washington, D.C., should serve him well in maneuvering through state government and the Legislature. Brown's years spent in Hawaii while earning a degree at UH should buffer him from too much culture shock.
What Brown does lack is experience running a museum, but that is a handicap that is surmountable. In his public debut last week, he sounded all the right notes, stressing his hopes to involve the museum in more educational and native Hawaiian programs and to achieve a balance between the facility's research and exhibition priorities. He has wisely begun making connections in the community and has acknowledged that he has much to learn.
Like Dobelle, Brown -- both men coincidentally were recruited for their jobs by the same Chicago consultants -- projects a charming image of originality. Like Dobelle to the university, Brown brings to Bishop Museum energetic spirit and direction. Here's wishing him well.
Published by Oahu Publications Inc., a subsidiary of Black Press.Don Kendall, President
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