I hate to find myself on the wrong side of the Honolulu Ethics Commission on these issues surrounding the HART board.
Partly because I know enforcing our ethics laws with an under-resourced staff, and with lots of external pressure from political and financial interests, isn’t easy. And it’s often thankless. I get that.
I also get that this whole flap would have been so easily avoidable.
In my view, the commision’s director embarrassed herself in comments reported by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, not so much by what she said, but by what she didn’t say.
At least according to the Star-Advertiser’s version, the director failed to use to occasion to remind us all that ethics are important, that public perceptions are important, and to reassure us the commission responds to apparent conflicts whenever they arise not just because that’s their job, but because such situations will inevitably undermine public confidence in government. You just have to read through comments on any of the related news stories to see how quickly that takes place.
It was an occasion for the director to explain what the commission has actually done to assess the HART board chair’s apparent conflict, which is obvious to any reasonable observer, and to reassure us the commission is looking out for the public’s interests even if that means stepping on some political toes.
It was a teachable moment. And that moment came and went without the commission, or its director, making good use of it. In my view, the commission’s stature was diminished as a result.
And that’s the real shame here.
See:
“Rail bond vote points to potential issue of broader problem in city ethics oversight,” iLind.net, May 18, 2021.
“A simple reply to yesterday’s Star-Advertiser story re rail & ethics,” iLind.net, June 24, 2021.
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The entire affair is an outrageous and blatant Government Organized Corruption!
Why, Lori Kahikina, the latest HART Director has not tenured Her resignation in light of the Bid Rigging is further troubling? Does, Director Kahikina prefer a DOJ Target Letter?
Maybe RAIL, could just rot away in a nice “Patina Finish” like Aloha Stadium original rust-ification plan.
Aloha Ian, This is the reason why, the way the Ethics Commission has answered to this, that suggests we need to create a new entity to be more independent. The fact that the Ethics Commission is now of the mindset to defend itself with really no plank to stand on with it tells me that their objectivity has been compromised.
An Independent Commission Against Corruption is what is needed. Run by the Governors office and only answers to that office. There needs to be a permanent funding feature put into law for it and given some authorization to look into things and get to the bottom of things.
At this point it could be asked: “WHY is there even an “ethics commission” in this town??” Utterly pointless in appearances.
Staffed up with Caldwell appointees, if I recall, thereby guaranteeing that ethics are the LEAST of its concern.
More independence is definitely needed. I have also advocated for an inspector general’s office — one at the county level and one at the state level. There are models for best practices on how to set them up. With funding the way it is, however, it seems unlikely such an office will be set up at either level any time soon.
As far as the Honolulu Ethics Commission goes, there are several appointees who I believe should not have been reappointed. While the mayor appoints, the council confirms, and unfortunately they have done a poor job in the past few years in my opinion.
No one can be appointed — or accept an appointment — to the HART board without being politically maleable. Project embarrassment doesn’t seem to be a concern and public outrage not persistent enough to stop the bleeding.
Malleable — easily influenced, trained or controlled. When I ran for city council, I told constituents to hold me accountable by letting me know if I significantly strayed from values and positions I had long held. I expect the same as an appointee to the HART board.
In addition, recent news regarding HART is very much a concern to at least a couple of board members.
Remember, there was no city ethics commission before Mayor Jeremy Harris. Jeremy who? How quickly we forget. Chuck Totto was appointed head of the commission and after he questioned Kirk Caldwell’s Mayoral Inauguration Luau (fundraiser) Feb. 9, 2013 on the grounds of Moanalua Gardens, Caldwell set about to destroy the commission. Caldwell eventually forced Totto out and replaced members with his cronies resulting in what we have today. Ethics?! We don’t need no stinking ethics!
https://www.pritchettcartoons.com/city-ethics.htm
Caldwell is the poster boy for ethically oblivious. His eight years were pure blight. The guy couldn’t even solve the issue with the bloody Natatorium!