Dear Editor:

Ed Case has shown us how little he cares for truth with his most recent attack on Bill Meheula. In remarks quoted in Tuesday's Star-Bulletin, Ed Case attempted to defend himself against criticism by attorney Bill Meheula of Case's actions on native Hawaiian issues by saying that: "My personal observation of knowing Bill (Meheula) both personally and professionally is that he is not going to let the facts get in the way of what he wants to say." While some amount of spin is to be expected in a political campaign, Ed Case has crossed the line with this false personal attack.

Saying that Bill Meheula is someone who doesn’t let the facts get in the way of a good argument is an out and out falsehood and Ed Case, as a former law partner of Bill Meheula, must know it’s not true. Mr. Case is well aware that Mr. Meheula adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards. That is why the Hawaii Supreme Court and the U.S. District Court of Hawaii appointed Mr. Meheula as chairman of the Committee on Adoption of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct. He was lead counsel in representing beneficiaries of the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust in litigation against the State of Hawaii for breaches of fiduciary duty that resulted in a $600 million settlement and received the Hawaii State Bar Association's "Justice Award" for his pro bono work in that case and other service to the Hawaiian community. These are just a fraction of the public service distinctions and awards on Mr. Meheula's curriculum vitae.

As a practicing civil triaI lawyer, I have known Bill Meheula for 23 years and have worked with him (and occasionally against him) on many cases. I have never seen an attorney more devoted to getting his facts right than Bill Meheula. He is widely respected among his colleagues in the Bar as a voice of calm reason, always well prepared, who bases his arguments carefully on logic and facts, not rhetoric and invective. 

If Ed Case can say something so recklessly untrue about Bill Meheula, how can we feel confident that his judgment and reasoning on other issues is reality-based and that he places truth above his desire to be elected to higher office? I for one don't want Hawaii to have a US Senator who would so casually trash the ethics and professionalim of a respected community leader like Bill Meheula.

Years from now, people will look back and see who did more for Hawaii. Bill Meheula will be remembered; I suspect that Ed Case will be forgotten.

Jim Bickerton