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The once omnipotent Bishop Estate will never be the same regardless of what happens next. Publication in August of "Broken Trust" in The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, an incisive essay by UH Law Professor Randy Roth and four stellar citizen-leaders in the Hawaiian community, generated a firestorm of controversy (fueled by the media) and demand for reform. A court loss on leasehold followed. Investigations are ongoing and so are calls for legislative action. I wish there were as much fervor for changing abuses of our State Government. No matter what is eventually decided, neither the Governor nor the Legislature should be involved in the will of the late Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop because if the government can change this private will, it can change yours as well. Micromanagement of Kamehameha Schools by Trustees given fiscal responsibility for the Estate, and doses of arrogance, were their fatal errors. They could have appointed a Board of Regents or other non-politically-connected group of alumni, parents and educators, and this may yet occur. Their fiduciary competency, educating only 3,200 of 43,000 Hawaiian children, investment practices, tax exemption and political ties of the Estate may be legitimate matters for independent review. But expect more posturing and politicking while the State's tax and land powers go unscathed. Speaking of micromanaging: First the Governor got involved in the Rolling Stones Concert; then he criticized UH football coach Fred vonAppen. What, there are no more serious problems to deal with? I was beginning to worry the Guv would try to tell me how to coach my Division 48 Hawaii Kai "Snakes" AYSO soccer team before he wound up in Queen's with an ulcer from "stress." (Wonder if he'll file a work comp claim?) I wanted to visit him, but people said I would give him a relapse or worse and I didn't want that. Pepto, anyone? VonAppen doing his job; Rainbows doing theirs. We need more fans at Aloha Stadium. Go 'Bows! Just wondering: why do they sell bottled water from Newport Beach at the Stadium? Isn't Wahiawa water sweet enough?? At this year's Labor Day Unity Picnic, Hawaii's "most powerful man," Gary Rodrigues, was low key. Tony Rutledge was the major spokesman and he said privatization is not unions' enemy; it creates jobs. Right on! The Hawaii Women's Political Caucus newsletter of Summer, 1997, featured brief comments from the two women who head the major political parties here; Donna Alcantara of the Republicans and Marilyn Bornhorst of the Democrats. Bornhorst said in part, "Does it look like we have enough women in public office? One of four in Congress, five of 26 in the State Senate, 8 of 51 in the House...." Since I coined the term, "26th State Senator," referring to Rodrigues, Bornhorst apparently agrees there are now more than 25, with no Con-Con change necessary to install Gary. A Carpenters' Union strike was averted on Labor Day after union leader Walter Kupau woke up, smelled the hemp, and realized with 52% trades unemployment here, and several unions publicly stating they would not cross his union's picket lines, this was a no-win threat. Meanwhile, the new head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Thomas Donohue, former lobbyist for the American Trucking Association, talks tough and says he will go head-to-head with union bosses. This contrasts with Hawaii Chamber philosophy of going along and getting along with repressive government and unions. Geal Fukumoto alerts us to the organization, "Coalition to STOP LAWSUIT ABUSE." The initial objectives of the group are to: (1) abolish joint & several liability; (2) cap non-economic damages; (3) cap punitive damages; (4) stop frivolous lawsuits, and (5) eliminate multiple recovery. Interested in helping? Call Geal at 247-2072. VP Al Gore, under investigation himself for illegal political fundraising from the White House, said of the activities involving four Chinese Buddhist Nuns who allegedly laundered money, "It was not a fundraiser; it was a Donor Maintenance Event." Uh-huh. Update on the akamai marketing ploy by the City to operate a retail outlet. The Ala Moana Center "City Store" is now deep in debt, owing the City more than $95,000 through July. The City estimate was for revenues of $250,000 for the same period. Don't let any government in business with your money. However, the State finds an easy way to extort more taxpayer money; simply hike fees for copies of public records already paid for with tax funds. Example: The Honolulu Advertiser wanted a copy of the 550 registered sex offenders in Hawaii and the State Criminal Justice Data Center sought a $5 charge per record, or a total of $2,750. Desmond Byrne of Common Cause first complained of charging fees for tax-generated public records more than a year ago. Notice how many of those new statement envelopes you receive with instructions back and front as to how to open the envelope? A nation that can land a man on the moon...... Open enrollment call for aspiring hula dancers for "Halau O Souki/Mizuguchi," (yes, them!) at the Capitol for the 1,500+ legislative confab Dec. 5-10 at the Hawaiian Village. Kumu Hula Lorna Woo, a natural beauty on the Senate Clerk's staff, helping to coordinate. BOO! Don't be tricked by political treats this Halloween. Question authority.
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