Free bus transportation to all full-time students. Repair the city's 1,500 miles of roads. And propose a casino resort in the Midway Islands, but not in Hawaii. Fasi proposes casino
on Midway isleThose are just some of the ideas former Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi wants to carry out if he is once again elected mayor of Honolulu.
Fasi, speaking last week at a mayoral candidate forum, said the other candidates cannot touch his accomplishments as Honolulu mayor for 22 years.
"I submit that the experience in government, business, labor, military and accomplishments of my five opponents combined cannot match my background and my record of accomplishments," he said.
At 81 years of age, Fasi said he is not slowing down and remains the same leader he was when he first was elected to office.
"I am Frank Fasi. I am not his clone."
A tell-all book by Gov. Ben Cayetano will include mention of the famous, not so famous and the infamous.
"It's incredible the kind of characters that one can write about," Cayetano told reporters last week.
Cayetano said he plans to devote a chapter to Tom "Fat Boy" Okuda, the former deputy courts administrator and Traffic Violations Bureau head who was convicted of traffic ticket fixing in 1989. His role as a supporter of prominent Democratic politicians brought public scrutiny for years. Okuda died last month at the age of 73.
"He was a wonderful man. He was quite a character that came out of an era and a time where things were very, very different from what they are today. His kind of character is not appropriate today," Cayetano said.
He will also write about whom he calls "the unsung heroes in politics" and also those who have made tremendous contributions.
Issues and how they evolved -- such as the controversy surrounding ceded lands -- could be included, he said.
On the impact of the Legislature, Cayetano scolded the media for giving attention and credit to people he considers ineffective. "You know who they are. I'm going to tell people who they are, at least give them my opinion."
Cayetano said he does not have a publisher and would still have to raise money to get the book published. "If not, I'll give it in excerpts to the newspapers."
Rep. Brian Schatz (D, Makiki) wants the public to have the ability to recall elected officials who have betrayed the public trust.
Under current state law, officials elected to state offices cannot be recalled, although recall is an option if the public is dissatisfied with a city official.
"We just want citizens to have the ability to recall, especially any elected official convicted of a crime," he said.
Schatz added that he thought the bill should be strict enough so that public officials could only be removed for serious offenses.
The proposal is in reaction to the recent conviction of former state legislator Marshall Ige, who pleaded guilty last week to two felonies and three misdemeanors, including theft and tax evasion, Schatz said.
Gov. Ben Cayetano has named Janet Kawelo to the three-member Public Utilities Commission.
Kawelo, who has been Department of Land & Natural Resources deputy director for the past two years, fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Gregory Pai last month.
Kawelo's appointment is effective tomorrow and must be confirmed by the state Senate.
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