Thanks to Jahan Bryne for reminding me that today is the 10th anniversary of the passing of his father, Desmond Byrne.

Aug 3 marks the 10th -year anniversary of Desmond’s passing. He died on his 64th birthday in 1999.

Coincidentally, I went to hear Ledward Kaapana in concert in Oakland a few days ago, and suddenly remembered he had played at Dad’s memorial service.

Dad’s work for government openness, accountability and adherence to high ethical standards, while in many ways were successful, are reminders that we can never become complacent. I serve on the board of the local ACLU, and I must say, some of the same issues we deal with are like deja vu for what Dad was involved in with Common Cause in Hawaii.

We spent the afternoon of our 30th anniversary attending a memorial service for Desmond.

I wasn’t a novice at pressing for public access to government documents by the time I met Desmond sometime soon after going to work for Common Cause in 1983, but I’m still in awe of Desmond’s approach to public records.

To tell the truth, I suffer the result of growing up in Hawaii. Every time I have to press a government agency for access to what should be a public record, I assume the worst. I “know” it’s going to be an unpleasant fight against agency “culture”, bureaucratic inertia, and at times plain political power trips, but it also means unpleasant interactions with public employees who don’t make the policies and just follow orders. I don’t relish such things. So I cringe every time I initiate a records request, knowing it is likely to be a drawn out power struggle, and that translates into a moment of hesitation, and I have to overcome my desire to avoid conflict and controversy in order to proceed.

Desmond saw the world very differently. Trained as an accountant, and totally comfortable with the concept of accountability, he assumed the availability of government records, and he seemed to assume that government officials would want to comply once they saw the wisdom of his viewpoint. He never celebrated success or feared failure in gaining access to government documents. He just assumed they would be available, and acted accordingly.

He didn’t always get what he wanted, but he was never hesitant to ask.

I recall several occasions where a story in one of the daily newspapers would report officials discussing some report or issue, and Desmond’s immediate response would be a handwritten fax to the department, even to the governor, asking for a copy of the document behind the story.

I don’t know that there’s anyone in Hawaii now with the same attitude, understanding, and willingness to act.

Desmond, we miss you.