Posted on: Sunday, October 15, 2006
COMMENTARY
Want to change our city? Here's your chance
By Donn Takaki
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LEARN MORE
To read the proposals and learn more about the City Charter, visit the Charter Commission's Web site at: www.honolulu.gov/chc. You may also contact the commission via e-mail, charter@honolulu.gov; fax, 592-8633; or mail, 711 Kapi'olani Blvd., Suite 1485, Honolulu, HI 96813.
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Last summer, the Charter Commission posed the following question to the public through its Web site and various media outlets: "If you ran the city, how would you change Honolulu's government?"
We received over a hundred formal proposals and numerous other comments. We have held 35 public meetings and considered hundreds of hours of public testimony and discussion. After a lengthy, open and deliberative process, the commission decided to place 12 questions proposing changes to the City Charter on this year's ballot. The Charter Commission urges the people of Honolulu to learn about the proposed amendments, and to cast a vote.
The decisions on the 12 charter questions represent a unique opportunity for the citizens of Honolulu to have a direct impact on daily life. Your vote will decide the content of the charter, which, essentially, is the "Constitution" of our city, and is the governing document that determines the basic structure, powers, and responsibilities of our city government.
Each vote will be crucial, especially given the fact that blank ballots are not considered. Unlike state constitutional amendments, a blank vote on charter amendments is not considered a "no" vote. This distinction is critical. Hypothetically, if there are 100 voters and 50 people don't vote on the issue, then only the 50 who vote will determine what happens. Under this scenario, 26 out of 100 voters would determine the charter. To prevent that from happening, we encourage voters to educate themselves on the amendments before they vote.
There are various ways the public can learn more about the proposed amendments. Later this month, every voter household will receive a brochure in the mail containing a summary of the questions. We urge the public not to disregard these materials, as they contain the information you will need to make an informed decision. In addition, there will be newspaper, radio and television ads.
In the meantime, here is a brief summary of the 12 charter questions:
Questions 1 and 2 address the City Council electoral system. Currently, council members are subject to a two-term limit, and terms are staggered, so five members are elected in one election, and the other four are elected in the next election. Question 1 asks if term limits and staggering of terms for City Council should be changed. If Question 1 passes, then the new system would be determined by Question 2.
Whether you vote "yes" or "no" on Question 1, please vote for your preferred option in Question 2. This question presents two alternatives for City Council terms: (A) no term limits and no staggering, or (B) a three-term limit and no staggering.
Question 3 asks if the city should establish new dedicated funds for land conservation and affordable housing, to be funded by 1 percent of annual property tax revenues.
Question 4 asks if comprehensive curbside recycling should be added to the responsibilities of the director of the Department of Environmental Services.
Question 5 asks if the city's Ethics Commission should be given the authority to fine elected officials for violations of ethics laws. Currently, the Ethics Commission has the authority to recommend disciplinary action, but does not have the power to fine elected officials.
Question 6 changes the timing of certain electoral races. Currently, all city elections take place on the day of the Primary Election, and any necessary runoffs take place on the day of the General Election. Question 6 asks if races with only two candidates should be moved from the Primary Election day to General Election day.
Question 7 asks if the City Council's power to reject Salary Commission decisions should be eliminated. Currently, the Salary Commission sets salaries for elected officials and other high-ranking city officials, and the City Council can reject the Salary Commission's decisions.
Question 8 addresses the Department of Transportation Services. This amendment would include bikeways in the list of responsibilities of the director, and establish that one of the priorities of the department is to make Honolulu a pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly city.
Question 9 asks if the liquor administrator, deputy liquor administrator and a secretary should be exempted from civil service. This amendment would allow the Liquor Commission to hire and remove the administrator, and the administrator to hire and remove the deputy administrator and a secretary.
Question 10 asks if the charter should be amended to include additional services being provided by the Director of the Department of Emergency Services and the fire chief.
Question 11 asks if the time for capital funds should be extended. Currently, capital budget appropriations lapse six months after the fiscal year With this amendment, the appropriations would lapse two months after the fiscal year.
Question 12 asks if public notices should be required to be distributed via electronic medium (such as the Internet) in addition to the current requirement of publishing in the newspaper. Question 12 also includes six "housekeeping" amendments, simply to clarify the charter and comply with current functions and various legal requirements.
We urge the public to learn about these proposed amendments to the City Charter. If there are changes to be made, it is up to the voters to decide on Nov. 7. Don't miss the chance to be part of the process.
Donn Takaki is chairman of the 2005-2006 Charter Commission. He is president and vice chairman of HawkTree International Inc. He wrote this commentary for The Advertiser.
