Posted on: Sunday, April 10, 2005
EDITORIAL
Sen. Kanno should be held accountable
State Sen. Brian Kanno's actions on behalf of a worker fired by Norwegian Cruise Line amount to an abuse of the power of his elected office. And the legislators who agreed to join him in signing a letter to the company on behalf of the employee — at Kanno's request— are themselves guilty of questionable judgment.
When that failed, Kanno apparently asked some of his colleagues to sign a letter that tried — unsuccessfully — to get the cruise line to pay Rouse's travel expenses and restitution.
Kanno, D-19th (Kapolei, Makakilo, Waikele), then worked with lawmakers on resolutions in both the House and Senate that would have required NCL to explain the procedures it follows when employees are accused of sexual harassment. The same resolutions would have directed the state Department of Transportation to assess whether the cruise line should have to pay the state's hotel room tax.
Appropriately, neither resolution advanced.
Kanno's actions call for further review, starting with the state's Ethics Commission.
Workers who have a grievance with their employers have other avenues for relief, including the state Labor Department and the courts. The Legislature is no place to resolve these individual disputes.
It is unconscionable for a legislator to hold the threat — real or perceived — of a financial action over a business while at the same time asking questions related to an employment decision.
Kanno contends that as labor chair, he has responsibility for labor laws and thus had the right to intervene.
He's wrong.
The responsibility of legislators is to set broad policy through sensible laws on behalf of the people of Hawai'i. Period.
Kanno should be held accountable for his actions. So, too, should the others who joined him on this one. They apparently need to be reminded that their allegiance must be to the people of Hawai'i, not to a friend or colleague seeking to influence matters clearly out of their jurisdiction.
News reports revealed that Kanno, chairman of the Senate Labor Committee, met with NCL officials to try to get Leon Rouse, who had been fired over allegations of sexual harassment, rehired.
Brian Kanno
