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did this or that or whatever. As far as saying that this is a <br /> gift, the travel is a gift. I don't agree with that and I think <br /> how would it be different from in the sense of like going to <br /> the GMO conference...traveling to the conference. It's not <br /> just oh you're here to get a reward, it's put on by the <br /> Coalition for Tobacco Free Hawai`i, bring stakeholders, <br /> further educate Mr. Kanuha or whoever goes to it about the <br /> issues. It promotes the issues and in essence that's what a <br /> politician does. They have to pick sides on different issues <br /> what they feel is right. They need to educate themselves on <br /> that issue, they promote that issue, they make it their <br /> agenda and that's the whole legislative process. I <br /> understand what you're saying and I think I hope the <br /> Council will maybe take this up and make some <br /> clarifications for us. I feel that the purpose of this trip and <br /> him going was a benefit to him and his capacity and being a <br /> better legislator. It benefited, understanding the issues and <br /> that benefits the Council and thus the County. So that's <br /> why I support dismissing...though I do have a lot of <br /> sympathy with what you're saying for a small business guy <br /> out there on his own. It looks like wow I can't have an <br /> award you know, but hey that's not really the issue before <br /> us. It's really about gifts and I don't see this as a gift <br /> because I don't think it has the value and I think it is <br /> directly related to his being a legislator. <br /> Mr. Robinson: Madame Chair if I may. I heard what Mr. Goodenow says <br /> and I understand and I agree with you. Unfortunately, 2- <br /> 91.4 does not make the distinction in travel. I just says <br /> travel and that's the unfortunate part and that's where we <br /> need to clarify if there's a rule that says going to Oahu to <br /> accept an award or attend a conference or something is not <br /> considered travel...I understand that. Unfortunately, does <br /> not and that's the problem that I have. It's not what Mr. <br /> Kanuha did, but the fact that the rules are clear that travel is <br /> considered a gift. <br /> Ms. Kahakalau: I'm still of the opinion that there was no value in the travel <br /> in this particular travel. I think it's a matter of looking at <br /> value when you looking at gifts and I don't see any value in <br /> this travel. I know when we do federal grants for example, <br /> we in Hawai`i have a totally different reality than any other <br /> State because everywhere else people can drive there. That <br /> is factored in on the federal level, it's factored in all time <br /> that we have unique situation where we cannot drive to be <br /> with the rest of our State like everybody else can. We are <br /> 25 <br />