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Djou Can Help Pass Campaign Reform (Pearl Johnson)
Disturbing Facts about Rail in Leeward (Kioni Dudley)
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League Needs Office Monitors
Legalized Gambling to Be Discussed by HSAC (Jean Aoki)
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Legalized Gambling to Be Discussed by HSAC

On Thursday, June 24, the first day of the two-day HSAC Conference on Oahu, there will be a pro-con discussion entitled “A Fresh Look at Gaming: Can Counties Afford Not to Do It?”

Speaking for legalizing gambling will be John Radcliffe of Capitol Consultants of Hawaii. On the con side will be Alex Santiago, Executive Director of Phocused.

Diane Kay, President of HCALG, Hawaii Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, of which League is a charter member, and Grace Furukawa, League's representative to HCALG and secretary for the coalition were making plans to have several people there to hear the debate and to ask questions.. We even thought that Susan Dursin from Kona who had chaired League's study of that issue before we developed our position, should be brought in for that conference.

That was before announcements of that conference made clear that the registration fee for the two days would be $225.00. Inquiries by Grace confirmed that there would be no partial payments for attendance at special segments of the conference.

HSAC is a government-funded organization, the Hawaii chapter of the National Association of Counties. The question is, “Is it subject to the sunshine law?” An informal check with the Office of Information Practices would indicate that it could be, because among the questions raised were:

  1. Are there topics on the agenda which might be an issue before any of the councils in the future?
  2. Will there be in attendance at the conference, numbers of council members from any of the County Councils which would make up a quorum for that council?
  3. Does HSAC meet the definition of agencies subject to the sunshine law?

HCALG and/or LWV could have submitted a formal complaint against HSAC, but there wasn't time to resolve it in time without disrupting this year's conference. Apparently these conferences are held annually at alternate islands. We will be ready to challenge the next one should it be necessary.

In the meantime, Grace has not given up on attending this conference, one way or another.

Jean Aoki

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