Posted on: Monday, October 4, 2004

EDITORIAL
Council going too far on mayor's travel cost

It's understandable that the Honolulu City Council would want to know when the mayor is out of town and where he might be going.

That would be a reasonable expectation between any executive and legislative branch.

But the current council's effort to put future mayoral travel under its direct jurisdiction goes too far.

As a matter of courtesy, the mayor should advise the council when he will not be available and make it clear who is in charge during the interim. But forcing the mayor to give the council advance notice of travel smacks of micromanagement and would inevitably lead to council insistence that it approve such travel.

The issue has been raised because of Mayor Jeremy Harris's frequent trips out of state in recent months to sell Honolulu's achievements in sustainability and other matters.

In some cases, the hosting organization has paid for part or all of Harris' travel expenses. The council says this amounts to a gift, which requires council approval before it can be accepted.

That's kind of a stretch. Organizations often offer to help pay costs incurred by an invited speaker.

Our position is that the mayor, this or future, should be crystal clear in disclosing all travels and how they are being paid for.

If the council or the Ethics Commission concludes there is something amiss, they should act. But requiring prior disclosure or approval breaches a healthy separation of powers system.