Kaohe
Sunshine Law response
Three little words?
Transparency of government brings, accountability of government to the governed, which yields performance by government for the governed.
WHT is correct to oppose HB 2742. Mahalo for your watchfulness.
Russ Robinson
Kailua-Kona
Open meetings
Not disappointed in bill
I’m sorry, but I cannot agree the Sunshine Law is not a subject for review by the Hawaii Legislature. Have you forgotten our history? One of the greatest documents that has ever been drafted, the Constitution of the United States, was negotiated in secret sessions. Our county council should do so well. (This was, of course, much to the disdain of the press. Also, see Reed Flickinger’s editorial Feb. 21.)
The problem with open meetings is legislators become afraid to offer a compromise on issues, because if the compromise fails, they are railed at by some voters for offering it. Let’s have a discussion of the Sunshine Law.
I will, however, express my disapproval of the way the scheduled hearing is to be held.
Pat Callahan
Kona
Sunshine Law
Well intended, but not always helpful
I attend a lot of public meetings and participate in several committees. Hawaii is a small town (it just has long streets).
It is nearly impossible to attend a meeting and not see more than two members of one of the committees. The Sunshine Law, though well intended, can turn an innocent coincidence into a criminal offense. The real corruption is people with political influence meeting secretly with people seeking access to public funds or favors, and that is much harder to monitor.
Ken Obenski
Kaohe