Suzuki focuses on court
and quits re-election bid

State Rep. Nathan Suzuki will not seek re-election so that he can concentrate on federal charges that he lied on his income tax returns and failed to disclose that he controlled overseas accounts linked to convicted isle businessman Michael Boulware.

In a letter to his constituents, Suzuki (D, Aliamanu-Moanalua Gardens-Moanalua Valley-Salt Lake) wrote, "It would be extremely difficult for me to continue at the highest level of performance that you deserve, while burdened by charges of misconduct, to which I must now divert my full attention."

Last month Suzuki was indicted on three counts for filing false federal income tax returns in 1996, 1997 and 1998 and two for not disclosing interests in corporations in Hong Kong and the kingdom of Tonga.

The charges stem from the prosecution of Boulware, who last month was sentenced to four years and three months for lying on his tax returns and failing to report $10 million in personal income that he funneled from his own company for personal use.

Suzuki, a certified public accountant and licensed real estate agent, was a former comptroller for Boulware's company Hawaii Isles Enterprises and prepared personal income tax returns for Boulware from 1989 to 1994.

The indictment said that Suzuki also transferred money into accounts located in Tonga, Switzerland and elsewhere on behalf of someone presumed to be Boulware.

In his letter, Suzuki said, "I have never prepared tax returns or financial statement for the owners of these funds in the transactions and therefore I was never informed nor made aware of the possibility that they might have been illegal or taxable."

Suzuki has been in the House for 10 years. Four people have taken out nomination papers for his seat. As of Friday none had filed.

Kids get online vote shot

A local organization has launched a Web site that hopes to breed a new generation of voters -- in a state renowned for voter apathy -- by allowing kids to vote online.

The Kids Voting Hawaii's Web site (www.kidsvotinghawaii.org) allows kids to participate in the voting process, even if their votes don't count.

In the 2000 general elections, voter apathy reached a new low when Hawaii had the lowest turnout of voters nationwide.

The program hopes that by putting the ballots on the Web, voting will be more accessible to kids and, in turn, "they'll get in the habit of voting," said Linda Coble, chairwoman of the program for the Rotary Club of Honolulu, the volunteer arm of the organization.

"They can discuss the issues, they can debate. (This Web site) is building a whole cadre of future voters who know what they're doing."

Students in grades K-12 can participate in the program through their school or with their parents, Coble said.

To be a part of the program, a teacher or parent must go onto the Web site and register themselves and their students.

Beginning Sept. 24, kids will be able to log on to the Web site and practice voting.

From Oct. 22 to Nov. 5, kids will be able to "officially" vote once for their candidates.

Kids who missed the on-line voting deadlines will still have a chance to vote by going to any public school polling site on general election day, where Hawaii Kids Voting polling computers will be set up.

Also on the site are links to candidates' Web sites and information for parents and teachers.

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