Mirikitani has nerve to scold his peers

By Lee Cataluna
Advertiser Columnist

I handed the letter over to my colleague, who read it and shook his head. "Fish in a barrel, Lee," he said. "Big fish, little barrel. You gonna shoot?"

Shoot. Hard to resist.

The letter came from City Councilman Andy Mirikitani. It was dated June 8, 2001. Mirikitani wrote to me in response to a column I wrote on Mayor Jeremy Harris' proclivity to turn every event into a photo op and to take full advantage of his position as mayor to appear as gubernatorial as possible.

Mirikitani wrote:

"I share your concern that candidates for political offices are using taxpayer's funds to advertise their campaigns."

This is the same Mirikitani who, when he wrote this letter, was accused of a kickback scheme that routed money from bonuses given to his council aides into his campaign and his pocket. This is the same Mirikitani who was found guilty on all six counts of theft, bribery, extortion, wire fraud and witness tampering. While on trial, he was apparently doing his duty as a watchdog in Honolulu Hale, keeping an eye on how many public service commercials Jeremy Harris was doing about saving the 'aina with Richard Chamberlain.

How's that for the guava calling the mango rotten?

The letter goes on to say:

"I have enclosed a copy of Bill 44 (2001) that I have introduced and thought might be of interest to you. The purpose of this bill is to prohibit the Mayor, executive department appointee or any Council member from appearing in any public advertising material using public funds once they have made an announcement indicating they will seek another political office..."

He closes the letter with:

"Thank you for your very perceptive article on political candidates taking advantage of situations to advance their political campaigns."

Big fish, little barrel, yes. But also little bucket, many crabs, and lots of pinching and pulling.

Perhaps Mirikitani was so certain that he would be acquitted that he felt it fair game to shake a finger in Harris' direction. Perhaps he thought he carried a coupon for one of those Rene Mansho "oops!" deals.

But most likely, here again is a case of political ambition and hubris gone wild. It seems, even in our small town, that some public servants feel all means are justified when the end is getting into office, just as long as it's not someone else who's getting away with it.

Mirikitani should leave office now. Right now. His word isn't worth much at the moment, and any effort he might make to clean up his district or clean up city hall will be met with the same reaction: "Brah! What about you?!"

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Her e-mail address is lcataluna@ honoluluadvertiser.com