TAIPEI, Taiwan, April 27 (UPI) — Taiwan Sunday said it would bar visitors from China, Hong Kong, Canada and Singapore to prevent the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome, amid other regional efforts to halt the spread of the flu-like virus that has killed more than 300 people worldwide.

“Fighting the epidemic is like fighting a war,” said Taiwan premier Yu Shyi-kun. “We face an invisible enemy.”

He said Taiwan would no longer issue resident visas to those from China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Canada. The ban includes those with multiple-entry visas. In addition, Taiwanese residents returning from the locations will be quarantined for 10 days.

Taiwan Sunday announced its first death from the virus. A 56-year-old man in Taipei died from the disease. Last week, a SARS outbreak in a Taipei hospital pushed up the number of probable cases from 33 to 55; the number of suspected cases increased from 50 to 72.

The government of Hong Kong, whose residents are affected by the travel ban, criticized the move. In a statement, the government called Taiwan’s move uncalled for and said it was not in the interest of commerce, tourism and other exchanges between Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Twelve more people died from SARS in Hong Kong, bringing the local death toll to 133. The total number of those infected in Hong Kong now stands at 1,543, and there are 24 suspected cases.

But, a Hong Kong health official noted that there had been a slight downturn in the number of SARS cases on the territory.

Margaret Chan, director of health, said Sunday’s 16 new cases was one less than the 17 reported Saturday. Over the last week some 20-30 new cases were reported daily. She warned against complacency, however.

In mainland China, which along with Hong Kong has been the worst hit by the mysterious flu-like virus, another nine deaths were reported, taking the nationwide toll to 131; there are 161 new cases. The Health Ministry said eight of the deaths along with 126 cases were in Beijing.

There are 2,914 cases on the mainland and 1,921 suspected infections. Guangdong province, where the outbreak of the epidemic has been traced, saw three new cases, but no new deaths.

In a bid to stem the flow of the disease, the Chinese government ordered all entertainment venues closed. The order extends to movie theatres and Internet cafes.

The virus, for which there is no known cure, also claimed its 20th victim in Toronto Sunday. Canada has the highest number of SARS cases after Asia.

The head of the World Health Organization, Gro Harlem Brundtland, defended her agency’s efforts to battle the spread of the disease that has affected 20 countries. She defended measures such as advising against travel to Toronto.

“We are doing what is prudent and necessary … before (the disease) becomes global and constant,” she told the British Broadcasting Corp. “If this outbreak reaches poor, undeveloped parts of Africa, we are in trouble.”

In Singapore, the Ministry of Health announced Sunday that as of Tuesday all public hospitals will implement a no-visitor rule for their patients. Of the 198 SARS cases reported so far in the island-state, about 38 percent of them were visitors to hospitals.

The rule will not apply for departments or hospitals treating children or providing obstetric care, where the 1 visitor per patient per day policy will continue.

The policy is flexible, however. Individual hospitals can make case-by-case decisions. The rule will be reviewed at the end of May.

Singapore’s SARS death toll has now reached 21 with an additional death pending further investigation. A total of 131 SARS patients have now been discharged from hospital, while another 47 remain, including 17 in intensive care. There are another 199 probable cases and 111 suspect cases. A total of 2,836 have been placed under home quarantine orders.

In Malaysia, some 280 people, including staff, at a mental hospital for women in Kuching were placed under a 10-day quarantine due to SARS. The move came after what Health Deputy Director-General Datuk Dr Ismail Merican called three “pending (verification) SARS cases.”

In other SARS-related developments Sunday:

*South Korea said it was examining 12 new suspected SARS cases, including a Japanese man.

*The Korea Federation of Small and Medium Businesses said it will continue to suspend the entry of industrial trainees from China and Vietnam because of SARS. The temporary ban may hurt 165 small and medium-sized firms, it said.

*Professor Ron Penny, head of a SARS clinical task force in New South Wales, Australia, said people were adding to the SARS paranoia by wearing face masks. He said people should not exaggerate the problem before the disease hits Australia.

*Taipei’s city government urged its taxi drivers to wear surgical masks as a precaution against SARS. The Taipei City Traffic Department said taxi drivers should open their windows to allow ventilation and said it will provide bleach at taxi stands to help disinfect vehicles.

*In the Indian city of Kolkota, formerly Calcutta, a passenger who arrived on a Bangladesh Biman airlines flight with fever was isolated on suspicion of suffering from SARS. He had visited Hong Kong two weeks ago. The national airline, Air-India, suspended 15 more pilots for refusing to fly to SARS-affected destination. Twenty-seven pilots have been suspended so far for refusing to fly unless they are assured the flight crew has not visited a SARS-hit area in the past 10 days

”’With reporting by Sonia Kolesnikov in Singapore.”’

Copyright 2003 by United Press International. All rights reserved.

“Dick Rowland Image”

”Shoots (News, Views and Quotes)”

– Consumers at the Center

Reuters’ Karen Pallarito reported on the recent annual meeting of the
Washington Business Group on Health (WBGH) by writing, “Consumers are
at the center of the latest equation for taming runaway healthcare
costs..” She says most workers are still sheltered from the
cost of their care “paying only nominal copayments for the services they
receive.” She quotes WBGH president Helen Darling as saying, “What
workers pay is still relatively small. and what the employers are paying
is very, very high,” roughly $10,000 to $13,000 for an employee with
family coverage. Ms. Darling adds, “This is an unsustainable business
model, which is why you see small employers dropping health benefits.” Ms. Darling urged employers to switch from a copayment model to coinsurance to “expose employees to the real cost of benefits.”
SOURCE:
https://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2003/03/13/business/links/20030313e
con001.html

– Modern Healthcare Looks at Consumerism

“Modern Healthcare” includes a major article on consumer driven health
plans in its March 10 issue. Written by Laura Benko, the story is a
pretty comprehensive look at everything going on out there. She starts
with an anecdote about a Kentucky company, Logan Aluminum, that experienced a 23.7 percent increase in insurance costs in 2001, followed by another 8.5 percent in 2002. The company signed up with Aetna’s consumer driven program for its 1,000 workers. The company puts up a $400 HRA to cover part of the $1,000 deductible. The article says Logan is just part of a “fast-growing number of employers” who are exploring this approach. It cites Towers Perrin as saying 44 percent of large employers are now considering the approach, up from 13 percent last year.

The story goes on to describe the various approaches being tried out in
the market, with emphasis on HRA plans but also mentioning MSAs, FSAs,
Blue plans with tiered payment systems, and the Vivius and MyHealthBank
models which “allow employees to select benefits a la carte from an
online menu of coverage arrangements, and to balance deductibles,
premiums, and copayments to suit their personal needs.” The article
notes that physicians are largely supportive of the approach but
hospitals are not, fearing they will be stuck with bad debts. It mentions the results so far, especially from Humana which saw costs go up 4.9 percent when it expected increases of 19.2 percent, and Destiny whose 500 accounts are seeing increases of 12 percent while the rest of the area is getting 20 percent to 30 percent rate hikes. Destiny president Ken Linde says if you count the account funds that are rolling over, the real rate of increase is more like 7 percent.
SOURCE: https://www.modernhealthcare.com/article.cms?articleId=28785

”Roots (Food for Thought)”

– Three Ways to Make President Bush’s Tax Plan Even Better

By Lawrence H. Whitman

Executive Memorandum #856

President Bush has advanced two sound tax principles: (1) Government
should tax income only once; accordingly, policymakers should end double
taxation of dividends. (2) Because future tax rate reductions will not
help today’s economy as much as tax cuts now, provisions of the 2001 tax
cut scheduled for the future (particularly income-tax rate reductions)
should occur immediately. These two commonsense principles and resulting
policies would bolster the economy, lower unemployment, increase wages,
and boost the stock market. To improve the President’s proposal and
unleash an even stronger economy, Congress should apply these principles
to additional areas through the following policies.

End IRA income limits and age restrictions

The government prevents some people from investing in retirement
accounts (deductible IRAs and Roth IRAs) on the basis of how much income
they make. These limits are confusing, inconsistent, and economically
damaging. For example, single people making more than $50,000 may not
deduct traditional IRAs, and those making more than $110,000 may not use
Roth IRAs. These restrictions discourage use of retirement accounts and,
thus, depress investment, increase unemployment, and harm the economy.
Policymakers should allow everyone, regardless of income, to use
retirement accounts.

Current policy also forces people older than 70 to withdraw money from
(and pay taxes on) traditional retirement accounts such as non-Roth IRAs
and 401(k)s. This policy is unfair and harmful: It punishes seniors who
work and discourages others from doing so. Moreover, the government
should not tell seniors when to withdraw their own retirement money.
Ending this discriminatory age requirement would enhance freedom, help
seniors, and remove one government barrier to working, thus triggering a
stronger economy.

Some critics of the President’s proposal to eliminate the double
taxation of dividends mistakenly argue that it would not help
individuals using only retirement accounts. In fact, the policy would
increase general stock prices, benefiting all investors. Given their
desire to help retirement account investors, these critics should
support eliminating income limits and age restrictions for retirement
accounts. The change would benefit retirement account investors and
seniors and increase the use of retirement accounts, prompting more
investment and thereby spurring the economy.

Repeal President Clinton’s 1993 tax increase on Social Security benefits
Before 1993, the government taxed only 50 percent of Social Security
benefits. The rationale for this policy was that workers already paid
income taxes on the 6.2 percent of their wages that went to Social
Security through payroll taxes (employers pay the rest) and that the
government should not tax this money again when people receive it as
Social Security benefits. However, in 1993 President Clinton signed a
law that abandoned this principle. The law stipulated that, while the
government would still tax 50 percent of Social Security benefits of
seniors earning between $25,000 and $34,000 ($32,000-$44,000 for married
couples), it would tax 85 percent of benefits of seniors earning over
$34,000 ($44,000 for married couples).

This policy double taxes Social Security benefits and punishes seniors
who work, discouraging many from doing so. Policymakers should repeal
this unfair double tax on Social Security benefits. This reform would
remove a layer of taxation, help senior citizens, lower one more
government obstacle to working, and improve the economy.

Make the entire 2001 tax cut effective immediately

Many of the tax reductions passed in 2001 will not take effect for
years. This situation postpones the benefits of lower rates and causes
economic inefficiency today. For example, under current law, the death
tax will decline until eliminated in 2010. Until then, the government
will impose high tax rates — over 40 percent — on the assets of the
deceased. Moreover, unless policymakers act, in 2011 the death tax will
return to higher rates. This situation demonstrates the need to make the
entire 2001 tax cut permanent. (See Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No.
1614, “Make the Tax Cuts Permanent and Fully Effective Now.”)

The delay in ending the death tax makes planning for it difficult and
forces small-business owners, farmers, and others to divert money from
constructive activities — expanding and hiring — into expensive planning
to deal with onerous taxes. Ending the death tax immediately would
liberate vast resources, helping workers, potential workers, and the
economy. It is immoral to tax people when they die, and it is wrong to
delay rectifying that injustice.

The 2001 tax legislation also increases the amount people may invest
annually in retirement accounts. For IRAs, the limit will increase from
$2,000 to $5,000. For 401(k)s and similar employer-sponsored accounts,
the limit will rise from $10,000 to $15,000. However, these increases
will not fully take effect until 2006 and 2008, respectively. The
government should not punish investment, and it is wrong to delay
correcting this problem. Immediately increasing the allowable limits in
retirement accounts would spur investment, strengthen the stock market,
help the economy, decrease unemployment, and increase wages.

The Federal Budget

Those who cite budget deficit concerns as a way to criticize the
President’s proposal and other pro-growth policies confuse cause and
effect. The budget does not drive the economy; the economy drives the
budget. The proper goal for policymakers should be a strong economy, not
greater government tax revenue. Indeed, a robust economy is the best way
to increase tax revenue. Moreover, policymakers should restrain runaway
government spending, because sound budget policy entails controlling
federal spending and enacting pro-growth tax rate reductions that
unleash a vibrant economy.

Furthermore, despite claims made by opponents of tax cuts, no credible
evidence supports the theory that government deficits noticeably
increase interest rates. Japan has large budget deficits and interest
rates near zero, and long-term interest rates in the United States have
fallen while the federal budget has gone from surpluses to deficits.
Allegations that deficits substantially increase interest rates are
clearly wrong.

Conclusion

President Bush has advanced two sensible principles: End double taxation
and accelerate future tax-rate reductions to go into effect today.
Congress should further the President’s plan by ending income limits and
age restrictions on retirement accounts, repealing the tax increase on
Social Security benefits, and making immediately effective the entire
2001 tax cut. The President has taken steps in the right direction. Now
Congress can make a very good plan even better.

-Lawrence H. Whitman was formerly the Director of the Thomas A. Roe
Institute for Economic Policy Studies at The Heritage Foundation.

Above article is quoted from the Heritage Foundation, Executive
Memorandum No. 856 February 3, 2003 https://www.heritage.org

”Evergreen (Today’s Quote)”

“The tragedy of America’s civil rights movement is that it has
substituted today’s government-backed racial favoritism in the
allocation of resources for yesterday’s legal and extra-legal
favoritism. In doing so, civil rights leaders fail to realize that
government allocation of resources produces the kind of conflict that
does not arise with market allocation of resources. Part of the reason
is that any government allocation of resources, including racial
preferential treatment, is a zero-sum game.” — Walter E. Williams

”’Edited by Richard O. Rowland, president of Grassroot Institute of Hawaii. He can be reached at (808) 487-4959 or by email at:”’ mailto:grassroot@hawaii.rr.com ”’For more information, see its Web site at:”’ https://www.grassrootinstitute.org/

“Suzanne Gelb Image”

”Waiting – Is Patience the Answer?”

Dear Dr. Gelb:

Last week my cell phone broke and when I went to have it repaired, the repair person was socializing with a customer even though he knew I was waiting. The service is on a walk in basis, so I did not have an appointment, but I was so annoyed that the technician could have serviced me, but socialized for a while, even though he did end up fixing my phone in a professional manner. Still I have a need to ask, what’s happened to customer service?

Annoyed

Dear Annoyed:

The belief that people should jump to one’s every whim can prompt impatience. People have their own agendas and priorities and it is not uncommon to feel angered when the expectation is that someone should be at our beck and call when we enter their place of business, and not waste our time by socializing with someone else.

It appears to me that the technician has good business skills because he focuses on having satisfied customers who walk away feeling that they are welcome and they are not just a number or an object to satisfy his financial gain. To me that reflects good manners and good business policies.

”Advice – When to Give it?”

Dear Dr. Gelb:

I am not a psychologist or anything, but often people tell me their problems and I usually have some advice or a book to recommend or something helpful to offer. I know it is not always good to give unsolicited advice. When advice is welcome, and when it is obnoxious because it is uncalled for?

Helpful

Dear Helpful:

It appears that you answered your own question. In my opinion it is rude to offer advice to a friend, solicited or unsolicited. Friends can be helpful for moral support, lending a listening ear and offering empathy as emotions are expressed. That is emotional support. If there are needs beyond that, then consulting with a properly trained service provider would likely be a sensible next step.

”’Suzanne J. Gelb, Ph.D., J.D. authors this daily column, Dr. Gelb Says, which answers questions about daily living and behavior issues. Dr. Gelb is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Honolulu. She holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Human Services. Dr. Gelb is also a published author of a book on Overcoming Addictions and a book on Relationships.”’

”’This column is intended for entertainment use only and is not intended for the purpose of psychological diagnosis, treatment or personalized advice. For more about the column’s purpose, see”’ “An Online Intro to Dr. Gelb Says”

”’Email your questions to mailto:DrGelbSays@hawaiireporter.com More information on Dr. Gelb’s services and related resources available at”’ https://www.DrGelbSays.com

The following hearing notices, which are subject to change, were sorted and taken from the Hawaii State Capitol Web site. Please check that site for updates and/or changes to the schedule at

“Hawaii State Legislature Sidebar”

Go there and click on the Hearing Date to view the Hearing Notice.

Hearings notices for both House and Senate measures in all committees:

Hearing

”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

4/28/03 9:00 AM SCR76 SD1 REQUESTING THE HAWAII SMALL BUSINESS REGULATORY REVIEW BOARD TO DEVELOP AND FORMULATE A SMALL BUSINESS BILL OF RIGHTS FOR CONSIDERATION DURING THE 2004 LEGISLATURE.(AMENDED TITLE) EDB, FIN

4/28/03 9:00 AM SCR98 SD1 CONVENING AN ECONOMIC SUMMIT. EDB, FIN

4/28/03 9:00 AM SCR196 SD1 REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO UPDATE ITS REPORT ON HAWAII’S FILM INDUSTRY, “A ROAD MAP: THE FILM INDUSTRY’S POTENTIAL AND HOW TO GET THERE”.(AMENDED TITLE) EDB, FIN

4/28/03 9:00 AM SCR45 SD1 ENDORSING THE GOOD BEGINNINGS INTERDEPARTMENTAL COUNCIL’S SCHOOL READINESS TASK FORCE’S HAWAII STATE PRESCHOOL CONTENT STANDARDS.(AMENDED TITLE) EDN, FIN

4/28/03 9:00 AM SCR153 SD1 REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION ON THE STATE AND COUNTIES’ LAND USE POLICIES WITH REGARD TO SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS. EEP/WLH

4/28/03 9:00 AM SCR13 SD1 REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STATEWIDE INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR COORDINATION AND EXPANSION OF SERVICES PROVIDED THROUGH HEALTHY START TO YOUNG CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. FIN

4/28/03 9:00 AM SCR45 SD1 ENDORSING THE GOOD BEGINNINGS INTERDEPARTMENTAL COUNCIL’S SCHOOL READINESS TASK FORCE’S HAWAII STATE PRESCHOOL CONTENT STANDARDS.(AMENDED TITLE) FIN

4/28/03 9:00 AM SCR49 SD1 REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU TO CONDUCT A STUDY CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS IN STATE GOVERNMENT.(AMENDED TITLE) FIN

4/28/03 9:00 AM SCR49 SD1 REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU TO CONDUCT A STUDY CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS IN STATE GOVERNMENT.(AMENDED TITLE) FIN

4/28/03 9:00 AM SCR54 CREATING A WORKING GROUP OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM HAWAIIAN ORGANIZATIONS, THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO FORM A COALITION TO PROVIDE BETTER ACCESS TO STATE VITAL STATISTICS RECORDS. FIN

4/28/03 9:00 AM SCR76 SD1 REQUESTING THE HAWAII SMALL BUSINESS REGULATORY REVIEW BOARD TO DEVELOP AND FORMULATE A SMALL BUSINESS BILL OF RIGHTS FOR CONSIDERATION DURING THE 2004 LEGISLATURE.(AMENDED TITLE) FIN

4/28/03 9:00 AM SCR98 SD1 CONVENING AN ECONOMIC SUMMIT. FIN

4/28/03 9:00 AM SCR155 SD1 URGING ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION TO COMPLETE THE ASSESSMENT AND SETTLEMENT OF NATIVE HAWAIIAN INDIVIDUAL TRUST CLAIMS.(AMENDED TITLE) FIN

4/28/03 9:00 AM SCR196 SD1 REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO UPDATE ITS REPORT ON HAWAII’S FILM INDUSTRY, “A ROAD MAP: THE FILM INDUSTRY’S POTENTIAL AND HOW TO GET THERE”.(AMENDED TITLE) FIN

4/28/03 9:00 AM SCR13 SD1 REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STATEWIDE INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR COORDINATION AND EXPANSION OF SERVICES PROVIDED THROUGH HEALTHY START TO YOUNG CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. HLT/HSH, FIN

4/28/03 9:00 AM JC5 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the District Court of the First Circuit, Judicial Nominee LONO J. LEE. JHW

4/28/03 9:00 AM HR133 REQUESTING THAT THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII WORK TO DEPLOY A NATIONAL MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM. PSM/INT

4/28/03 9:00 AM SCR54 CREATING A WORKING GROUP OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM HAWAIIAN ORGANIZATIONS, THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO FORM A COALITION TO PROVIDE BETTER ACCESS TO STATE VITAL STATISTICS RECORDS. WLH, FIN

4/28/03 9:00 AM SCR155 SD1 URGING ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION TO COMPLETE THE ASSESSMENT AND SETTLEMENT OF NATIVE HAWAIIAN INDIVIDUAL TRUST CLAIMS.(AMENDED TITLE) WLH, FIN

”Date Time Bill Number Measure Title Committee”

4/28/03 9:30 AM GM312 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Massage Therapy, Gubernatorial Nominee WILFRED S. PANG, for a term to expire 06-30-07. CPH

4/28/03 9:30 AM GM339 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the State Board of Public Accountancy, Gubernatorial Nominee LINDA D. HAMILTON, for a term to expire 06-30-07 CPH

4/28/03 9:30 AM GM340 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the State Board of Public Accountancy, Gubernatorial Nominee REBECCA S. WILLIAMS, for a term to expire 06-30-07 CPH

4/28/03 9:30 AM GM341 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Acupuncture, Gubernatorial Nominee GARY K. SAITO, for a term to expire 06-30-07 CPH

4/28/03 9:30 AM GM342 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Acupuncture, Gubernatorial Nominee MIKE HASHIMOTO, for a term to expire 06-30-07 CPH

4/28/03 9:30 AM GM356 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Electricians and Plumbers, Gubernatorial Nominee KEVIN H.M. CHONG KEE, for a term to expire 06-30-07 CPH

4/28/03 9:30 AM GM357 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects, Gubernatorial Nominee PETER T. DYER, for a term to expire 06-30-07 CPH

4/28/03 9:30 AM GM358 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects, Gubernatorial Nominee RANDALL M. HASHIMOTO, for a term to expire 06-30-07 CPH

4/28/03 9:30 AM GM359 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects, Gubernatorial Nominee SHAWN USHIJIMA, for a term to expire 06-30-07 CPH

4/28/03 9:30 AM GM373 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Medical Examiners, Gubernatorial Nominee WENDELL K.S. FOO, MD, for a term to expire 06-30-06 CPH

4/28/03 9:30 AM GM374 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Medical Examiners, Gubernatorial Nominee RONALD H. KIENITZ, DO, for a term to expire 06-30-07 CPH

4/28/03 9:30 AM GM375 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Medical Examiners, Gubernatorial Nominee PETER A. MATSUURA, MD, for a term to expire 06-30-07 CPH

4/28/03 9:30 AM GM376 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Medical Examiners, Gubernatorial Nominee JOHN T. McDONNELL, MD, for a term to expire 06-30-07 CPH

4/28/03 9:30 AM GM377 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Medical Examiners, Gubernatorial Nominee MARIA BRUSCA PATTEN, DO, for a term to expire 06-30-07 CPH

4/28/03 9:30 AM GM379 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Examiners in Naturopathy, Gubernatorial Nominee SHERYL L. THOMPSON, for a term to expire 06-30-07 CPH

4/28/03 9:30 AM GM379 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Examiners in Naturopathy, Gubernatorial Nominee SHERYL L. THOMPSON, for a term to expire 06-30-07 CPH

4/28/03 9:30 AM GM380 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the State Board of Nursing, Gubernatorial Nominee THERESA SAKAI, RN, for term to expire 06-30-07 CPH

4/28/03 9:30 AM GM383 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Pharmacy, Gubernatorial Nominee DULCE TOMI ONAGA, for a term to expire 06-30-07. CPH

4/28/03 9:30 AM GM384 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Psychology, Gubernatorial Nominee LAURA E. OZAK, RN, JD, for a term to expire 06-30-07. CPH

4/28/03 9:30 AM GM386 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Real Estate Commission, Gubernatorial Nominee TRUDY I. NISHIHARA, for a term to expire 06-30-07. CPH

4/28/03 9:30 AM GM402 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Veterinary Examiners, Gubernatorial Nominee ROGER M. KONDO, DVM, for a term to expire 06-30-07. CPH

4/28/03 9:30 AM GM406 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the State Boxing Commission of Hawai`i, Gubernatorial Nominee DELLA K. MARTIN (YOUNG), for a term to expire 06-30-07. CPH

4/28/03 9:30 AM GM413 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Motor Vehicle Repair Industry Board, Gubernatorial Nominee JAN N. WIEDMAN, for a term to expire 06-30-07. CPH

4/28/03 9:30 AM GM414 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Pharmacy, Gubernatorial Nominee KARL H. MIYAMOTO, for a term to expire 06-30-07. CPH

4/28/03 9:30 AM GM415 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Psychology, Gubernatorial Nominee WILLIAM C. REZENTES, III, PhD, for a term to expire 06-30-07. CPH

4/28/03 9:30 AM GM399 Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Taxation Review, 1st Taxation District (Oahu), Gubernatorial Nominee MANOJ SAMARANAYAKE, CPA, for a term to expire 06-30-07. WAM

”’To reach legislators, see:”’ “Representatives at a Glance” and “Senators at a Glance”

“Malia Lt Blue top Image”

Republican Gov. Linda Lingle sent down the names of several nominees for various state boards and commissions she wants confirmed by the Democrat-controlled Senate, agreeing to withdraw the names of some candidates the Democrat leaders said privately they would not, for various reasons, agree to confirm.

When it came to naming six nominees to the Board of Regents at the University of Hawaii, Lingle went through the same process, sending the names of the candidates to Senate President Robert Bunda, D-North Shore. According to the governor, Bunda told her there would be no trouble confirming any of them. The candidates included:

*Catherine “Kitty” Lagareta, head of one of Hawaii’s largest public relations firms, Communications Pacific, who also was one of the most active members in the Lingle for Governor Campaign in 1998 and 2002;

*Shelton Jim On, an attorney and CPA, who also is an active member of the Republican Party of Hawaii;

*Ed Sultan, the chief executive officer of his own jewelry enterprise with his namesake and a strong financial background;

*Byron Bender, professor emeritus with the Department of Linguistics at the University of Hawaii;

*Trent K. Kikuta, JD candidate at the William Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii;

*Alvin Tanaka, who serves as president and manager of Pacific Transfer LLC.

However Bunda’s verbal promise was not made good when these candidates came before the Senate education committee, Tuesday, April 22, for their official interviews.

Though several dozen people came out to testify in favor of the candidates, and no one testified in opposition, at least two of the candidates, On and Sultan, were treated with contempt and hostility from the moment they sat down in front of the committee.

The Democrat committee members, some who in years past, laughed and joked with candidates nominated by former Democrat Governor Benjamin Cayetano, now looked at the Lingle nominees grimly, with their jaws set tight, and their eyes reflecting no warmth or compassion, just disdain. They seemed to be reading a play dialogue, set prior to the meeting, with one Senator after the other launching antagonistic questions at first On, then Sultan.

Sen. Shan Tsutsui, D-Maui, was extremely aggressive toward Sulton, asking him if he’d read the auditor’s report that was critical of the University of Hawaii before coming before the Senate. Sultan answered honestly that he had not had a chance to look at it, but would do so in the immediate future. Tsutsui, however, was not satisfied, launching into a tirade over Sultan’s lack of preparedness for the interview. Other Democrats on the committee also fed off of Tsutsui’s aggression and Sultan’s apparent nervousness.

Even Senate President Robert Bunda made an extremely rare appearance to question the nominees.

Chair of the committee, Sen. Norman Sakamoto, D-Moanalua, recommended the vote on whether or not the six candidates would be confirmed, be deferred to Thursday, April 24.

Between Tuesday and Thursday, Sakamoto came out in the local press saying he had “grave concerns” over two of the governor’s nominees. Sakamoto spoke of letters and emails coming into the Capitol that criticized and discredited the candidates, though when asked to produce these materials, ultimately he did not, saying it was Sen. Donna Kim, D-Kalihi, who had the correspondence. Kim is not on the committee. According to Senate Minority Leader Fred Hemmings, Kim, at his request, produced only one piece of correspondence that was not signed — she’d removed the signature of the sender who did not want his or her name made public, Hemmings says.

“This (correspondence) may be of value to her (Kim), but as far as I am concerned, it is a totally useless, anonymous accusation not worth the paper it is on,” Hemmings says. “If someone has concerns over On’s appointment, On should be told what they are and be allowed to respond and defend himself.”

Sen. Gary Hooser, D-Kauai, claimed his no vote at Thursday’s hearing on both On and Sultan’s appointment was not “personal” but rather done out of concern over the ability of these businessmen to oversee a $700 million company, meaning the University. He says he was unsure from their interview of their passion, interest in and commitment to the University.

Sen. Cal Kawamoto, D-Waipahu, said he planned to vote against the candidates because they would not support his plans for the West Oahu campus, and his “63-year-old body did not have enough life in it to wait another 25 years to have the campus built” (he said he worked on getting it built for 25 years to date). Oddly, Kawamoto did not ask some of the other regent candidates about the West Oahu campus, and in fact voted for one candidate who had spoke out adamantly against the proposed project, saying the state does not have the capital to pursue the construction of a whole new campus at this time.

Sen. Bob Hogue, the only Republican allowed to serve on the Senate education committee, stood his ground against the four of six Democrats present at the hearing who were determined not to confirm the governor’s nominees. He said their hostility toward On and Sultan “smacked of partisanship” and that their arguments against them were “disingenuous.”

Sens. Ron Menor, D-Mililani and Suzanne Chun Oakland, D-Nuuanu, voted with Hogue against the chairman’s recommendation, saying they did not have a strong enough reason to vote against the nominees and also wanted the chance to interview them further. Menor twice reserved the “right” to later vote against the nominees if he found additional information that was not presented at the hearing.

Supporters of the governor’s nominees say they believe On and Sultan were targeted, not because they were unprepared, disinterested, in-experienced, not humble or disrespectful toward the Democrats on the committee, as the Democrats purported. Rather because both candidates had a background in accounting and were adept with numbers and budgets, something the Democrats feared would lead to the uncovering of massive fiscal improprieties at the University of Hawaii once they were actively serving on the board and had the expenditures available to them.

Allan Ikawa of Big Island Candies and another regent who formerly owned Cheap Tickets, Michael Hartley, resigned their positions earlier this year because of concerns over the University’s lack of financial management.

Democrats also seemingly feared the governor’s nominees, four who had reportedly supported her in her campaign for governor, would move to fire University of Hawaii President Evan Dobelle, who endorsed Lingle’s opponent for governor in 2002, and who also continues to pick fights with the governor in the press. Tsutsui asked Sultan flat out if he had any plans to fire Dobelle. Sultan said no.

Behind the layers of the hostility, there was yet even another story. Kim, who also is vice president of the Senate, sent questions to the Democrat members to ask the candidates for her as she was not on the committee. She allegedly was upset with the governor, who did not confirm her candidate of choice for the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Kim chairs the tourism committee and oversees all tourism-related matters that come before the state Senate, including the management, finances and appointments to the Authority.

Kim was not available for comment today as she was in conference committees, however Hemmings, who hotly debated Kim over the candidates on the Senate floor Thursday night, says he believes the candidates are not being confirmed for all the reasons cited. Those include the unwillingness of the Democrats to have Republican-appointed accountants more closely examine the University’s finances, be able to fire Dobelle and in retaliation for the governor’s unwillingness to confirm the Democrat’s choice to the Authority.

Despite the controversy, the governor has refused to withdraw her two nominees under fire.

Hemmings, who says he is disappointed with the Democrats who are exhibiting a double standard with a Republican governor’s nominees, says he also does not appreciate some of the “adversarial questioning” select candidates have gone through.

Tonight, during the 6:30 p.m. session at the state Capitol, the decision over whether to confirm the governor’s nominees is expected to come to the full Senate for a vote. Hemmings says he hopes tonight, or whenever the confirmation vote does occur, that “cooler heads will prevail” and common sense will rule over partisanship and politics.

“Malia Lt Blue top Image”

Republican Gov. Linda Lingle sent down the names of several nominees for various state boards and commissions she wants confirmed by the Democrat-controlled Senate, agreeing to withdraw the names of some candidates the Democrat leaders said privately they would not, for various reasons, agree to confirm.

When it came to naming six nominees to the Board of Regents at the University of Hawaii, Lingle went through the same process, sending the names of the candidates to Senate President Robert Bunda, D-North Shore. According to the governor, Bunda told her there would be no trouble confirming any of them. The candidates included:

*Catherine “Kitty” Lagareta, head of one of Hawaii’s largest public relations firms, Communications Pacific, who also was one of the most active members in the Lingle for Governor Campaign in 1998 and 2002;

*Shelton Jim On, an attorney and CPA, who also is an active member of the Republican Party of Hawaii;

*Ed Sultan, the chief executive officer of his own jewelry enterprise with his namesake and a strong financial background;

*Byron Bender, professor emeritus with the Department of Linguistics at the University of Hawaii;

*Trent K. Kikuta, JD candidate at the William Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii;

*Alvin Tanaka, who serves as president and manager of Pacific Transfer LLC.

However Bunda’s verbal promise was not made good when these candidates came before the Senate education committee, Tuesday, April 22, for their official interviews.

Though several dozen people came out to testify in favor of the candidates, and no one testified in opposition, at least two of the candidates, On and Sultan, were treated with contempt and hostility from the moment they sat down in front of the committee.

The Democrat committee members, some who in years past, laughed and joked with candidates nominated by former Democrat Governor Benjamin Cayetano, now looked at the Lingle nominees grimly, with their jaws set tight, and their eyes reflecting no warmth or compassion, just disdain. They seemed to be reading a play dialogue, set prior to the meeting, with one Senator after the other launching antagonistic questions at first On, then Sultan.

Sen. Shan Tsutsui, D-Maui, was extremely aggressive toward Sulton, asking him if he’d read the auditor’s report that was critical of the University of Hawaii before coming before the Senate. Sultan answered honestly that he had not had a chance to look at it, but would do so in the immediate future. Tsutsui, however, was not satisfied, launching into a tirade over Sultan’s lack of preparedness for the interview. Other Democrats on the committee also fed off of Tsutsui’s aggression and Sultan’s apparent nervousness.

Even Senate President Robert Bunda made an extremely rare appearance to question the nominees.

Chair of the committee, Sen. Norman Sakamoto, D-Moanalua, recommended the vote on whether or not the six candidates would be confirmed, be deferred to Thursday, April 24.

Between Tuesday and Thursday, Sakamoto came out in the local press saying he had “grave concerns” over two of the governor’s nominees. Sakamoto spoke of letters and emails coming into the Capitol that criticized and discredited the candidates, though when asked to produce these materials, ultimately he did not, saying it was Sen. Donna Kim, D-Kalihi, who had the correspondence. Kim is not on the committee. According to Senate Minority Leader Fred Hemmings, Kim, at his request, produced only one piece of correspondence that was not signed — she’d removed the signature of the sender who did not want his or her name made public, Hemmings says.

“This (correspondence) may be of value to her (Kim), but as far as I am concerned, it is a totally useless, anonymous accusation not worth the paper it is on,” Hemmings says. “If someone has concerns over On’s appointment, On should be told what they are and be allowed to respond and defend himself.”

Sen. Gary Hooser, D-Kauai, claimed his no vote at Thursday’s hearing on both On and Sultan’s appointment was not “personal” but rather done out of concern over the ability of these businessmen to oversee a $700 million company, meaning the University. He says he was unsure from their interview of their passion, interest in and commitment to the University.

Sen. Cal Kawamoto, D-Waipahu, said he planned to vote against the candidates because they would not support his plans for the West Oahu campus, and his “63-year-old body did not have enough life in it to wait another 25 years to have the campus built” (he said he worked on getting it built for 25 years to date). Oddly, Kawamoto did not ask some of the other regent candidates about the West Oahu campus, and in fact voted for one candidate who had spoke out adamantly against the proposed project, saying the state does not have the capital to pursue the construction of a whole new campus at this time.

Sen. Bob Hogue, the only Republican allowed to serve on the Senate education committee, stood his ground against the four of six Democrats present at the hearing who were determined not to confirm the governor’s nominees. He said their hostility toward On and Sultan “smacked of partisanship” and that their arguments against them were “disingenuous.”

Sens. Ron Menor, D-Mililani and Suzanne Chun Oakland, D-Nuuanu, voted with Hogue against the chairman’s recommendation, saying they did not have a strong enough reason to vote against the nominees and also wanted the chance to interview them further. Menor twice reserved the “right” to later vote against the nominees if he found additional information that was not presented at the hearing.

Supporters of the governor’s nominees say they believe On and Sultan were targeted, not because they were unprepared, disinterested, in-experienced, not humble or disrespectful toward the Democrats on the committee, as the Democrats purported. Rather because both candidates had a background in accounting and were adept with numbers and budgets, something the Democrats feared would lead to the uncovering of massive fiscal improprieties at the University of Hawaii once they were actively serving on the board and had the expenditures available to them.

Allan Ikawa of Big Island Candies and another regent who formerly owned Cheap Tickets, Michael Hartley, resigned their positions earlier this year because of concerns over the University’s lack of financial management.

Democrats also seemingly feared the governor’s nominees, four who had reportedly supported her in her campaign for governor, would move to fire University of Hawaii President Evan Dobelle, who endorsed Lingle’s opponent for governor in 2002, and who also continues to pick fights with the governor in the press. Tsutsui asked Sultan flat out if he had any plans to fire Dobelle. Sultan said no.

Behind the layers of the hostility, there was yet even another story. Kim, who also is vice president of the Senate, sent questions to the Democrat members to ask the candidates for her as she was not on the committee. She allegedly was upset with the governor, who did not confirm her candidate of choice for the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Kim chairs the tourism committee and oversees all tourism-related matters that come before the state Senate, including the management, finances and appointments to the Authority.

Kim was not available for comment today as she was in conference committees, however Hemmings, who hotly debated Kim over the candidates on the Senate floor Thursday night, says he believes the candidates are not being confirmed for all the reasons cited. Those include the unwillingness of the Democrats to have Republican-appointed accountants more closely examine the University’s finances, be able to fire Dobelle and in retaliation for the governor’s unwillingness to confirm the Democrat’s choice to the Authority.

Despite the controversy, the governor has refused to withdraw her two nominees under fire.

Hemmings, who says he is disappointed with the Democrats who are exhibiting a double standard with a Republican governor’s nominees, says he also does not appreciate some of the “adversarial questioning” select candidates have gone through.

Tonight, during the 6:30 p.m. session at the state Capitol, the decision over whether to confirm the governor’s nominees is expected to come to the full Senate for a vote. Hemmings says he hopes tonight, or whenever the confirmation vote does occur, that “cooler heads will prevail” and common sense will rule over partisanship and politics.