Posted on: Sunday, December 29, 2002

EDITORIAL
Retiring council goes out with good and bad

Given the large amount of good and successful work it achieved over the past four years, it is a shame that the current Honolulu City Council will be remembered — at least in the short term — more for its missteps than its accomplishments.

Part of the problem is that the smaller controversies (think of Councilman John Felix's ongoing dispute with the city over the legality of his home wedding business) became conflated with rather more serious transgressions. Two council members, Rene Mansho and Andy Mirikitani, went to jail for felony theft and other charges associated with their official positions.

Now it is true that the remaining council members are not their colleagues' keepers and should not be held accountable for their offenses. But the overall impression was left of a council made up of members who believed they were somehow above or beyond the rules.

That's an unfortunate reputation for a body that routinely spends its time issuing laws and regulations that the rest of us are expected to follow.

True, there is a difference between image and performance. And at the performance level, this council accomplished much. It took a far more aggressive and pro-active stance on the budget, helping the Harris administration look closely at spending patterns and looming budget shortfalls.

It worked hard to create more open space and parkland on O'ahu and was an enthusiastic partner with the administration on the revitalization of Waikiki. The decisions to ban smoking in restaurants represented a courageous and popular stand.

There is a theory that legislators get lazy or disconnected when they conclude that they hold their office for life.

That clearly wasn't the case with this council, which was the first to serve under the term-limit restrictions.

Perhaps the lasting legacy of this council will be to act as a reminder to those who follow: Your time in this valued public office is short, the list of responsibilities is long and you will be judged based on the totality of your record.