This was a prudent decision. It disappointed Kuapa Isle leaseholders but could spare the contending parties much unnecessary grief if the law is eventually overturned. Although the 1967 state land reform law affecting single-family homes was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, the legal battle took 17 years. There is no guarantee that the city ordinance will also survive the legal challenge, and in any event the outcome may not be known for years.
The Bishop Estate has made it clear that it will take its case all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary, and it certainly has the resources to do so. It is noteworthy that both of the attorneys on the Council voted to defer condemnation.
Despite the efforts of the Kuapa Isle leaseholders to have the city implement the mandatory conversion law, some of the momentum behind the land-reform effort was dissipated when the Bishop Estate succeeded in selling fees to thousands of its condominium leaseholders. This reduced the number of leaseholders potentially affected by the law and may have affected the Council's decision.
The hearing before Tuesday's Council decision was dominated by witnesses opposed to mandatory conversion. Some of them were small landowners who fear their properties will also be condemned, although the Bishop Estate has been the main target of the leaseholders. The small landowners have been an important factor in this struggle.
CRIMINAL laws against assault do not exempt parental attacks on children. Parents can be prosecuted for inflicting injuries on their youngsters. Apparently in recognition of those laws, the House Human Services Committee has properly killed a resolution aimed at eventually banning corporal punishment, i.e. spanking, in Hawaii homes.
ALTHOUGH negotiations haven't been completed, the Honolulu Symphony seems to be well on its way toward acquiring a music director. This key position has been vacant since the retirement of Donald Johanos in 1994, when the symphony and the Honolulu Symphony Society were in the throes of a contract dispute that temporarily severed their relationship. The heir apparent is Samuel Wong, associate conductor of the New York Philharmonic. With a music director in place, the symphony willhave the leadership it needs to make its fullest contribution to the community.
AN automotive fuel that could cut vehicular smog in half, could sell for less than half the price of conventional fuel, yet delivers as much power. Too good to be true? It's impossible to judge at this point whether the A-21 formula will live up to its promise, butat this point that promise seems great - both for the environment and the economy.
Rupert E. Phillips,CEO
John M. Flanagan,Editor & Publisher
David Shapiro,Managing Editor
Diane Yukihiro Chang,Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor
Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner,Assistant Managing Editors
A.A. Smyser,Contributing Editor