Posted on: Friday, May 3, 2002

Former Bankoh chief joins tourism authority

By Lynda Arakawa
and Johnny Brannon
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

The state Senate yesterday confirmed Gov. Ben Cayetano's nomination of former Bank of Hawaii chief Lawrence Johnson to the Hawai'i Tourism Authority, but not without first scolding the governor.

Senate Tourism and Intergovernmental Affairs Chairwoman Donna Mercado Kim said she supported Johnson's nomination because of his commitment to the authority, but added that she was irritated by what she called "unproductive and childish actions" by Cayetano.

"It is sad and annoying that representatives of the governor have to resort to threatening members that if they did not vote for Mr. Johnson's confirmation their CIP (construction) projects would not be released," Kim said. "I congratulate all my colleagues who did not allow this type of badgering or arm-twisting to influence them."

Cayetano denied the Kim's charges.

"I have never used CIP as any kind of a weapon, because for me to withhold CIP that is worthwhile and meritorious I wouldn't be hurting the politician involved," he said. "I'd be hurting the public that he or she serves and the people in that district, and that's why I have never done it. I may express myself candidly and all that at times, but I've never held CIP back."

The Senate also confirmed Cayetano's nomination of District Court Judge Marcia J. Waldorf to the Circuit Court bench. Senators also approved the appointment of District Court Judge Clarence A. Pacarro and of Joel August to fill a vacancy on the Maui Circuit Court.

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8070.