[ OUR OPINION ]
No such thing
as a free lunch
or round of golfLEGISLATORS who accept free country club privileges in what may be a violation of state law ought to discontinue the practice if for nothing else than to assure the public that political power cannot be bought for a round or two of golf. Their refusal to benefit personally from their status in government would set ethical boundaries that, at present, are absent.
THE ISSUE
Complimentary country club privileges for legislators are raising questions about ethics.As detailed by the Star-Bulletin's Rob Perez, legislative leaders request the favor annually from Waialae and Honolulu country clubs and are usually granted courtesy memberships during the legislative session and, in some case, for longer periods. Such memberships and green fees can cost tens of thousands of dollars, but are waived for no other reasons than because lawmakers desire them and because the country club stands to gain stature.
Among the clubs' members are some of Hawaii's most politically connected insiders who are employed by or who represent companies that do business with the state, or stand to gain by rubbing shoulders with lawmakers. Although there have been no accusations of influence-peddling or quid pro quo dealings, the practice of handing out freebies to those with political power creates an atmosphere ripe for such hustlings.
Legislators contend that disclosure of these gifts relieves them of any ethical obligations. It doesn't; it merely informs the public that they've taken a gift -- nothing more. Lawmakers' refusal to draw up and adhere to a code of conduct encourages those seeking leverage to wine and dine them and when such practices become common, legislators begin seeing them as entitlements.
Why else would they be blind to the public perception that these gifts are thinly disguised bribes and that human nature dictates that one who does you a favor in turn will ask one of you.
Hawaii's generous culture is often used as a disingenuous defense by gift-taking politicians, but there's a big difference between accepting a box of cookies and country club privileges.
Some lawmakers Perez questioned may finally get it. Rep. Brian Schatz, who took advantage of his Honolulu Country Club privilege to play two rounds of golf, admits that the gift, which seemed innocuous before, is "extremely hard to justify now." He recently reimbursed the club for his games.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Calvin Say, who records indicate has received more gifts than most -- including an "ongoing" membership at Waialae where full-privilege membership initiation fees run about $55,000 -- says he'll ask his colleagues to review the practice. "Something like this has to be discussed," Say told the Star-Bulletin.
The practice not only ought to be discussed, it should be prohibited. His position of leadership demands that Say set an example and decline further inappropriate freebies. They serve no legitimate government purpose.
