[ OUR OPINION ]
Keep Kawamoto away
from spending reform
|
Kawamoto, chairman of the Senate Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations Committee, has agreed to pay $21,250 to settle an investigation of allegations that he failed to report nearly $29,000 in political donations from 1995 to 2003. Two-thirds of the fine must be paid with his personal funds. He agreed in March to reimburse his campaign with personal funds.
The probe by the state Campaign Spending Commission found that Kawamoto had spent campaign money for personal purposes such as payment for car use and upkeep, traffic and parking tickets and to settle a traffic claim by a Waianae resident, improprieties exposed by the Star-Bulletin's Rick Daysog.
In a signed agreement, Kawamoto thanked the commission and its staff for "allowing us to correct and amend our filings and to take the necessary actions to address the omissions of myself and my campaign committee."
Kawamoto was not so contrite in the Legislature's 2003 session, when he tried to amend a reform bill with a provision that would have changed another part of the law he was accused of violating. That reform bill died after Senate President Robert Bunda rejected House Speaker Calvin Say's request that Kawamoto be removed from the House-Senate conference committee.
Kawamoto also sponsored a bill in this year's session that was aimed at allowing the Senate to fire Robert Watada, the spending commission's executive director, who was hired by the commission, and to audit the commission's finances. The Senate prudently shelved both bills.
Governor Lingle last month vetoed a campaign spending reform bill because of what she described as unintended meanings and confusing language. When the Legislature works on refining the bill in next year's session, it should not allow Kawamoto in the same room, even if he is able to survive a challenge in the upcoming elections.
North Shore land
should remain in ag
|
Aina Nui Corp., a division of the land-rich estate, hopes to sell the property near Turtle Bay to finance its continuing projects at Kapolei on the island's southwest side, an area appropriately targeted for urban growth.
The North Shore, however, remains primarily an open, rural district, which is becoming a rarity on Oahu as the Ewa and central regions where agriculture once prevailed are giving over to homes, resorts and shopping complexes.
Although the demand for housing grows persistently, building on the Kahuku land would require considerable government resources to install sewer and water lines, and to improve and widen the two-lane highway that provides sole access to the area. In addition, a larger population would contribute to a need for more services, like schools, fire and police protection -- all attendants to housing development.
At present, the land is leased to farmers and other such enterprises that are feeling the squeeze as the desire to buy and sell housing increases.
John Ho, owner of a shrimp hatchery, told the Star-Bulletin's Dan Martin there are few places left on Oahu that will support a business such as his. The estate declined to give a sale price, but agricultural outfits seldom have available the kind of money needed to buy large tracts of high-value island real estate. The state should consider establishing an ag park or provide incentives to preserve the acreage for growing, much as it does for high-tech and other industries.
Although acquiring a zoning change to permit non-agricultural use would be difficult, it is conceivable that a tenacious petitioner could succeed.
That would be a shame. Both tourists and residents find the North Shore's rustic character an alluring element on a crowded island. It would be a loss for all.
