Posted on: Friday, April 15, 2005
Kanno investigation should be prompt, Bunda says
By Derrick DePledge
Advertiser Capitol Bureau
State Senate President Robert Bunda asked the Hawai'i State Ethics Commission yesterday to move quickly on any investigation into whether state Sen. Brian Kanno abused his power when he tried to help a man fired last year from Norwegian Cruise Line for sexual harassment.
Senate Republicans urged the commission on Monday to investigate Kanno and have called on Kanno to step down as chairman of the Senate Labor Committee until the matter is settled.
Bunda, D-22nd (North Shore, Wahiawa), in a letter to the ethics commission, said lawmakers are in a critical time of the session, with conference negotiations between the Senate and House on legislation. "While I would ask that you expedite a response to the complaint, I believe that we need to ensure that all of the relevant facts are brought to the commission's attention not only in a timely manner but one that is in a manner required by statute," he wrote.
Dan Mollway, executive director of the ethics commission, said any probe would likely take longer than the few weeks remaining in the session.
Gov. Linda Lingle said Wednesday that she believes it was reasonable for Kanno to talk with NCL about employee Leon Rouse. But she said he and other lawmakers may have stepped over the line with the resolutions that mentioned the cruise line's tax situation. "I think it's appropriate for the ethics commission to look at," the governor said.
Kanno, D-19th (Kapolei, Makakilo, Waikele), has said he was acting in his role as labor chairman and would have done the same for any other worker seeking his help.
The controversy is beginning to cause tensions among Senate Democrats, which rose to the surface yesterday.
Senate Vice President Donna Mercado Kim, D-14th (Halawa, Moanalua, Kamehameha Heights), took to the Senate floor to vigorously deny she was involved in spreading the Kanno story to the news media to teach him a lesson for failing to join her in trying to oust Bunda as president.
Kim hosts a morning radio show with Senate Minority Leader Fred Hemmings, R-25th (Kailua, Waimanalo, Hawai'i Kai), where Kanno has been a topic of conversation this week.
Her comments were directed at a specific person she did not name. "I want to say to the individual — and you know who you are — who is spreading these malicious lies, that I say: 'Karma has a way of dealing with people like you. So, please, get a life.' "
Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.
