Letters for Wednesday, March 31, 2010

• Legislators: Stand up and be counted • Privileged guests • Furlough schedules

Legislators: Stand up and be counted

The democracy we cherish thrives on leaders who have honor and integrity. The health of our democracy depends on having leaders who are willing to make judgments on matters of public policy even when we sometimes disagree with those judgments. We respect leaders when they engage in democracy openly and honestly, because that’s how we know they respect us.

However, sometimes the leaders we elect are tempted to avoid accountability in difficult, seemingly no-win situations. But those who are true leaders are willing to stand up and be counted. On politically high-risk decisions, there is an even greater expectation that our leaders will act with honor and integrity.

A fundamental principle of democracy is the recorded vote, which is incorporated in Hawai’i’s sunshine law. This law calls for public leaders to record their actions and votes for all to see. However, there is one big exception: the Legislature. House and Senate rules allow decisions to be made without recording the votes of its members. This must change.

We believe legislators’ votes should be recorded. In spite of its sunshine law exemption, the Legislature should amend its rules to prohibit anonymous votes. This would eliminate the temptation for legislators to conceal their stance on difficult issues, and ensure transparency.

A month ago, the House was widely criticized for its anonymous vote to defeat the controversial civil unions bill, House Bill 444. A motion was made to postpone the bill indefinitely. This should have triggered debate on the bill’s merits, but it did not. Nor did any House member seek a roll call vote. We believe a recorded vote should have been taken, without a member having to request it.

Citizens on both sides of the issue want a recorded vote, and legislators owe the public at least that much. The Legislature will earn the respect of the public by voting on HB 444.

Recently, another anonymous vote was taken. This time it was to recall a bill on the right to fly the American flag. Even though eight House members requested a recorded vote, it was denied because House rules require 11 supporters.

Ironically, when the recall vote was taken, the count of raised hands was incorrect, and the attempt to bring the bill to the floor failed. If recording individual members’ votes had been a requirement, the motion would have passed.

Fortunately, the flag bill will now be getting a proper vote. But on the civil unions bill, House members need to seek a vote to make that happen. Some legislators, both proponents and opponents, want a vote on HB 444 because they support public accountability, and we applaud them. Indeed, our concern here is to ensure the proper func-tioning of our democracy, not to take a position on the issue of civil unions.

We call on legislators to demonstrate that they value their honor and the health of our democracy. We call on them to take public votes on the issues they address. They owe it to the people who elected them and who de-serve to see how their elected leaders discharge the responsibility that has been entrusted to them.

JoAnn Maruoka, League of Women Voters of Hawai’i,

Josh Frost, Progressive Democrats of Hawai‘i

Privileged guests

The most amazing gift was given to the island community on Saturday evening at the performance at KCC of Ha‘a Ha‘ena, Entering the Consciousness of Hula, presented by Halau Palaihiwa O Kaipuwai.

I am a frequent visitor to the island and cannot remember anything I have seen here that was comparable to the level of excellence manifested in the performance of Kahiko Hula, an accomplishment that not only showcased over 60 dancers, but interpreted the story in the form of a dance-drama of the sacred chant/texts of Hi‘iakaikapoliopele, the chronicle of the creation of life on these ancient islands.

These epic stories of the Native Hawaiian peoples should become common knowledge to anyone who claims a place of their own here, and who aspires to contribute to the unique identity of this island. Without knowledge of the origins of the living forces that sustain us, how can anyone truly direct the future of this island? In times that challenge us to live in harmony with our environment, this performance reminded us of our connection to the powerful forces of nature and delivered a message that is more pressing than ever.

This performance is a first, hopefully a precursor of others to come, that takes responsibility for a legacy that reminds us of how privileged we are to be guests on an island that was here long before we arrived and will be here long after we are gone. To honor its story is the gift that Kumu Hula Kehaulani Kekua and her Halau gave to the island and for which we should all be humbly grateful.

Elizabeth Gill Lui, Los Angeles

Furlough schedules

Schools are closed on Fridays due to furloughs; it makes no sense furloughing libraries on the same day as the public schools.

Wouldn’t it make mores sense to furlough the libraries on Monday when school is in session, leaving Friday for students to use the library on their day off?

In Japan libraries are opened on weekends and holidays so students can have access when schools are closed.

I dislike furloughs as much as anyone, but at least our elected officials should try and use common sense when scheduling furloughs.

James “Kimo” Rosen, Kapa‘a