Bar accustomed to giving gifts to incoming, retiring judges
Bar accustomed to giving gifts to incoming, retiring judges
The executive committee of the West Hawaii Bar Association authorized the purchase of a gift for Judge Margaret Masunaga for her swearing-in ceremony, a designer bag, in the amount of approximately $135. The funds used to purchase the item came from the attorneys who are members of the West Hawaii Bar Association, and not from any individual attorney.
It is a regular practice and custom for the West Hawaii Bar Association to purchase incoming and retiring judges gifts such as koa bowls, gavels, bags and other items at these ceremonies. The gift presented to Judge Masunaga was made in accordance with our tradition and custom on honoring judges at special events. Furthermore, Judge Masunaga is a long standing member of the West Hawaii Bar Association. During the nomination and confirmation process no concerns were raised as to Judge Masunaga’s ethics or integrity.
Andrew M. Kennedy
President of the West Hawaii Bar Association
Gift to judge was very public
Your May 13 article “Questions surface about judges’ gift disclosures” concerning gifts made to Judge Margaret Masunaga during her swearing-in ceremony implies that the gift of the handbag was done covertly and further that West Hawaii Today ferretted out the story by investigative reporting (“It’s not known who gave Masunaga the Kate Spade handbag/satchel”).
In fact, the West Hawaii Bar Association presented the handbag to Judge Masunaga at her swearing-in ceremony — a well-publicized and public affair. The presentation of the handbag was done as part of the ceremony and was specifically commented upon in the ceremony.
The swearing-in ceremony was open to the public and was attended by members of the public. Moreover, the swearing-in ceremony was reported in the Dec. 3, 2014, issue of West Hawaii Today, which had a reporter who, it is assumed by the detailed coverage of the ceremony, was also present for the ceremony.
If ever there was a gift that was public and transparent, the West Hawaii Bar Association gift to Judge Masunaga was it. Although I am the vice president of West Hawaii Bar Association, and the one who presented Judge Masunaga with the handbag, this letter expresses my personal opinion and not that of the West Hawaii Bar Association.
Peter S.R. Olson
Attorney, Olson &SONS, Attorneys-at-Law, A Law Corporation
Kailua-Kona
Mauna Kea, TMT a disconnect
Mauna Kea looks like and resembles a great, giant pyramid, nature made.
The Thirty Meter Telescope, the monster telescope, looks like and resembles a giant cyclops eye, scientists made.
Do you want to see what the two together will possibly look like? Look at the reverse side of a dollar bill. Your eyes will find it.
As there is a disconnect between the eye and the pyramid, so will TMT be a disconnect between Mauna Kea and the real Hawaiians and us true Hanaians.
Everett Franco
Paauilo