Editorials
Friday, November 14, 1997THE state's plan to replace Honolulu police officers with sheriff's deputies in patroling Honolulu Airport raises questions that should be answered before the plan is implemented. The purpose, from the state's point of view, says airports administrator Jerry Matsuda, is to save money. The state reportedly spent $1.8 million, mostly in salaries and overtime, to maintain a 25-member police patrol at the airport last year. Matsuda estimates that the change could save $300,000 to $400,000 a year, because deputy sheriffs earn less than city police officers. Airport security plan
needs more scrutinyThe attraction for the Honolulu Police Department is that the 25 officers now assigned to the airport could be used elsewhere -- in effect adding to the department's available manpower. However, the state would no longer be paying the city most of the money now going for police services. What the state gains financially, the city loses. Taxpayers would foot the bill either way, although somewhat less under this plan.
There are other questions. Matsuda says Honolulu police would continue to investigate felony cases while state sheriff's deputies would take care of misdemeanors. But Police Chief Michael Nakamura says his department hasn't agreed to investigate felonies at the airport, contending that the state law enforcement agency should handle them.
The president of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers (SHOPO), Ray Ancheta, says he has questions about the training and experience of the sheriff's deputies. That's a good point. Are they truly qualified to take on this responsibility?
Ancheta also asks whether the state will have its own evidence unit and record-keeping. He told the Honolulu Police Commission that the plan "might be the beginning of a state police situation" -- which has never been publicly discussed.
Moreover, the change would affect only Honolulu Airport. It seems inconsistent that Neighbor Island airports, which are also operated by the state, would not be included.
The community should be given answers to these questions. There must be assurance that the savings to the state will not come at the cost of a loss of effectiveness in law enforcement or be offset by increased cost to the city.
HOUSE Republicans have produced an alternative to the tax recommendations made by Governor Cayetano's Economic Revitalization Task Force. Their plan would: Republican proposals
Fix state income tax rates at one-third of the federal rates. Estimated saving:$180 million.
These changes, the GOP says, would provide a $260 million boost to the lagging state economy, six times more than the task force's proposals. The Republicans figure those proposals would provide only a $40 million stimulus, because the cuts in income taxes and new tax credits would be offset by increases in the general excise tax and the hotel room tax.
The Republican plan was submitted in a letter to the governor from House Minority Leader Quentin Kawananakoa. But the governor said he stands by the task force's recommendations.
However, the Republican ideas deserve more than a quick brushoff. Cayetano succeeded in getting a number of business and union leaders to participate in his task force, along with House Speaker Joe Souki and Senate President Norman Mizuguchi, but the county mayors -- one of whom is a candidate for governor and another is a potential candidate -- and the Republican legislative minority were not invited. Small business complained that it was underrepresented.
The final recommendations -- particularly the attempt to shift more of the tax burden to tourists -- smacked of Cayetano's ideas and clearly were intended as a vehicle for his re-election campaign. But there has been criticism from several quarters, which is not surprising. The proposed increase in the general excise tax from 4 percent to 5.35 percent has been a favorite target.
The task force, in short, had no monopoly of wisdom on how to deal with the state's economic problems. The Republican alternative should be heard, too.
VICTIMS of crime often have reason for concern when their assailants are released from jail on bail or from prison after serving their time. The city prosecutor's Victim/Witness Kokua program tries to contact the victims when that happens, but delays can occur unless the release is made during office hours. Victim notification
A more efficient system would provide greater assurance to complainants of their safety from retribution.
One such system has been devised by a small engineering firm in Louisville, Ky. Interactive System's Victim Identification and Notification Everyday system, or VINE, uses a computer to promptly alert victims by telephone of any status change of the accused at any time of the day and on weekends. The system seems economical -- $15,000 to set up and yearly fees ranging from $1,500 for a small town to $300,000 for New York City.
Dennis Dunn of Victim/Witness Kokua says operating a VINE system in Hawaii may be difficult because the state is composed of islands, and he says it might be difficult to fit into his program's $1.5 million budget.
VINE officials maintain that waiting may cost more than money: the endangerment of victims who believe they are out of reach of their accused. Hawaii's county prosecutors should take a close look at VINE and any other programs that could improve this important service to victims.
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
