Hawaiʻi – Corruption Affects Us All

When two top office holders in Hawaiʻi, former Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English and former State Rep. Ty Cullen (both Democrats) pled guilty in February, their convictions did not affect just them, it impacted every one of us.

The acceptance of bribes by the pair is an affront to the men and women of Hawaiʻi who work,pay taxes, and expect their state officials to obey the very laws that they are sworn to pass and uphold.

More recently, former Honolulu prosecuting attorney, Keith Mitsuyoshi Kaneshiro, was indicted last month on conspiracy to commit fraud and is currently on paid leave.  To make this matter worse, his indictment came on the heels of the conviction of former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his wife Katherine, who was a former deputy prosecutor.

The corruption of senior elected or appointed officials undermines our system of government,breeds distrust among our fellow citizens and limits our ability to work on real problems.
It comes about when officials feel safe to commit crimes based on their friendships and affiliations. In the cases above, it required federal investigations to get indictments and convictions.

What was the legislature’s response to this crime?  They decided to require training for office holders within “90 days of taking office and at least once every four years thereafter” and other minor measures “designed, supervised and conducted” by the Hawaiʻi State Ethics Commission.  When we have a one-party state, perhaps we cannot expect a major check on the system by the very system that nominates them.  This is simply a dodge for holding people accountable.

We need to review criminal laws associated with fundraising corruption and consequent punishments. The legislature must relook at internal ethics investigations, including adding independent investigators. The Hawaiʻi attorney general’s office must improve its special investigations. The list goes on. We should also consider term limits for the legislature. None of these measures are perfect or offer permanent solutions.
Perhaps more importantly, we must move to diffuse the power of any one office, including the office of governor. The state attorney general, sheriffs, office of elections and ethics commissioners all should stand for election, not be appointed by the governor. The overconcentration of power in the governor’s office adds to the potential coverup of crimes.
These fixes will permanently strengthen checks and balances in state government and make those who are intent on corrupt activities unable to have refuge in personal relationships and the one-party rule.
I pledge that in my administration, party affiliation will not be an advantage to criminals who happen to hold high office. I will use all assets within the state and will cooperate with federal anti-corruption efforts with only the interest of the people of Hawaiʻi in mind.

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