Ethics Board selection compromised
I have been advocating for an expanded Ethics Board (Bill 101) that would provide a fair, impartial, and representative panel of commissioners. Article XIV of the State Constitution, which mandated the county boards, states that these commissioners be selected “in a manner which assures their independence and impartiality.
I also supported the idea of filling the vacancies that currently exist on the board.
I was appalled when I read that the Ethics Board chair was actively involved in seeking applicants for the board and saw that she had attached a letter of recommendation to the application for one of the two recent nominees.
Several days before the council meeting at which the nominees were introduced, I expressed my concern to Wally Lau, then managing director for the County of Hawaii, that I did not think it was “pono” for the Ethics Board chair to be involved in this. Although he did not think this was a problem, I believe a lack of judgment was shown by Mr. Lau in allowing this.
How can we have diversity and independent thinking on the Ethics Board when members are choosing each other?
Therefore, I cannot support the nomination of anyone who was recruited or vetted by the Ethics Board chair.
Cheryl King
Kailua-Kona
State of emergency warranted
As a citizen of South Kona, which is the first area declared high risk for dengue, I support Tulsi Gabbard’s plea to the governor that he declare a state of emergency to get funding and support for eradication of the mosquitoes that carry dengue to prevent this outbreak from becoming epidemic and endemic. The statement by Civil Defense that they have it covered is just wrong.
Marianne Jones
Captain Cook
More must be done in dengue fight
The ongoing dengue fever outbreak on Hawaii Island will become endemic if more effective measures are not taken in mosquito vector control, educating both residents and tourists, and monitoring by competent health professionals.
These steps will not be implemented unless the governor of Hawaii declares a state of emergency. The fear that such a declaration will negatively impact tourism will surely be overshadowed by the long-term public health problems (including dengue fever and Zika – both transmitted by the same mosquitoes) and the ultimate decline in tourism.
I personally am deeply saddened by the mishandling of the outbreak as both a public health microbiologist/epidemiologist and a devoted and repeated traveler to the beautiful Hawaiian islands.
Aloha and mahalo.
Stephanie Letzt
Purcellville, Va., and frequent visitor
Judge’s decision flouts responsibility
Judge Takase, her TMT protester decision, and the Hawaii courts are an embarrassment to the American legal system!
Really? The defendant can decide on their own which of two actions is worse than the other and use that as a defense of their obvious crimes? As a friend defined it, “The concept of mercy and the concept of justice are opposites. The judge acted mercifully, thus flouting any sense of justice. It was a nice gesture by the judge, but it was completely lacking in fairness.”
This island and the state will soon be getting no future investment by individuals and corporations who follow and expect the rule of law. There is no law making Mauna Kea sacred. In fact, King Kamehameha II made it not sacred!
Kerry Simpson
Kamuela