Posted on: Sunday, December 19, 2004

By Jerry Burris
Advertiser Editorial Editor

This year has been a difficult one for Jeremy Harris.

As he winds down after nearly two decades at Honolulu City Hall, few — if any — political prospects loom in his future.

Harris' legacy after nine years as managing director and 10 years as mayor will be largely determined by what he said, did and what people remembered during these final months.

So it is understandable that Harris has spent a good deal of time talking about what he has accomplished, pressing ambitious construction projects and selling the idea of Honolulu as a world class "sustainable city."

And it is a proud record, indeed. There is a level of frustration within the Harris team that they get insufficient attention for the good work they have done in making Honolulu a sustainable, diversified, physically and socially healthy city.

It's the controversies and missteps that get all the notice, they complain.

They have a point. Under Harris, Honolulu has racked up an enviable list of awards for technology, management, beautification and architecture. It recently was named "the most livable, sustainable large city on the planet" by the U.N.-endorsed International Awards for Livable Communities.

There's the beautification of Waikiki and Hanauma Bay, the sports complex in Central Oahu, extensive sewage treatment improvements, the award-winning bus system and a city budget that has remained stable ("sustainable") almost throughout.

For all of that, those close to Harris say he is frustrated by the thought — the fear — that he will be most remembered not for any of these achievements but for the campaign spending controversies that have dogged him for years.

Harris simply does not understand why he appears to have been targeted by prosecutors and regulators for special attention when the system they are attacking worked on behalf of most prominent politicians in public office.

When news stories appear about some contractor pleading with the Campaign Spending Commission over excess contributions, the list of "receiving" individuals usually includes Harris, but often others including former Gov. Ben Cayetano, former Maui Mayor Kimo Apana, in some cases Gov. Linda Lingle and numerous others.

But as these matters develop into criminal cases, they seem to focus on Harris.

Those close to Harris say he is usually sunny and optimistic, but there is a growing paranoia within the Harris camp that someone's out to get him.

Prosecutors say nothing could be farther from the truth; it's simply that the Harris campaign was one of the bigger recipients and in addition was one of the few that remained active.

Harris points out that for all the scandal, neither he nor any member of his cabinet have been accused of soliciting illegal campaign contributions, and he is convinced they never will be.

In his swan song Thursday night to an auditorium filled with friends and supporters, Harris was emotional and passionate as he detailed what he and his team have accomplished over the past decade.

"We have met the challenges of our time, and our stewardship will be marked as the renaissance of the City and County of Honolulu," he declared.

One suspects he is right. And one hopes his legacy will not be overshadowed by allegations about misused campaign money.

Jerry Burris is The Advertiser's editorial page editor.