Posted on: Friday, April 29, 2005

Liquor criticism resonates at hearing

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

Frustration over criminal convictions of staff, ethical inquiries, a continuing federal investigation and various allegations of deep-seated corruption at the Honolulu Liquor Commission spilled over yesterday at the City Council into debate over an appointee and proposed reforms.

The council's Executive Matters Committee spent hours yesterday talking about the recent critical City Auditor's report that outlined all those concerns and questioned the agency's management. And members heard more about the latest two nominees to be named to the panel by Mayor Mufi Hannemann.

Hannemann aide Jay Ishibashi said retired Honolulu police officer Steven Burke withdrew his name because a family illness would make it impossible for him to devote the time needed.

But Hannemann's other appointee — attorney Iris Okawa — who specializes in business and corporate law, told council members she is ready to serve. Okawa faced pointed questions from a vocal Liquor Commission critic, Councilman Charles Djou.

Djou said he admired her qualifications but wanted someone in the job "to go into the Liquor Commission and do something." He said her careful attitude made him worry she would be content to wait years before making changes.

"Let me assure you I hear the urgency," Okawa said. "There are issues at the Liquor Commission, I am sure."

Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi said she knows that Okawa wouldn't take on the volunteer position if she wasn't ready to do the job. "If she wasn't concerned, she would have just said no."

Committee Chairman Romy Cachola asked about Okawa's role on another panel: the state Real Estate Commission. Okawa said that she believed she could handle both roles without a problem.

But Cachola asked her to say which was more important before a final vote is taken. Kobayashi complained that wasn't a standard she had heard used on other nominees. But Cachola cited the pressing problems facing the commission before the committee gave preliminary approval to her nomination.

The committee also approved the concept of an evaluation of the commission's senior managers and continued to look at what legal changes would be needed to remove them from the civil service system.

Commission Chairman Dennis Enomoto felt the previous evaluations were ineffective and needed improvement, which he believes is under development as part of a new strategic plan.

Enomoto also favors giving more authority to the commission over the top administrators. "Having the commission hire and fire would be the best way to do it," he said.

Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429.