HomeMy WebLinkAboutCHC 1979-07-31 HAWAII COUNTY CHARTER COMMISSION
MINUTES
29th Session
July 31 , 1979
Hilo, Hawaii
The twenty-ninth session of the Hawaii County Charter
Commission was called to order at 3: 41 p.m. in the Hawaii
County Councilroom, Hawaii County Building, Hilo, Hawaii by
Mr. Spencer Kalani Schutte, Vice-Chairman.
The roll recorded the following:
Present: Mr. Harlan Cadinha (Arrived 4:51 p.m. )
Mr. Richard Ishida
Mrs. Amy Iwamoto
Mrs. Gloria Kobayashi
Mr. Akira Omonaka
Mr. Spencer Kalani Schutte
Mr. Joseph Trulson
Mr. Matsuo Yanaga
mkt- yS?s .!_. U l/a,../ O N w JP-4;47-7-
Absent
9-4%-77Absent Mr. Kimiaki Sakata
and Mr. Herman Sensano
Excused:
Also Mr. Bill Kikuchi ; The Kikuchi Group
Present: Mr. Stuart Oda, Attorney
Ms. Frances Higa, Research Assistant
Mrs. Joan Carnett, Secretary
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : The County of Hawaii Charter
Review Commission shall now come to order. Will the record so
note that in the absence of the Chairman Sakata, the Vice-Chairman
Kalani Schutte is presiding.
APPROVAL The Chair called for the approval of minutes dated
OF MINUTES: July 18, 1979 with the following correction :
Page 41 . . . .Mr. Schutte statement
at bottom of page should be. . . "or
how are you going to do that?"
Motion was made by Mr. Trulson
to approve minutes as corrected.
Seconded by Mrs. Iwamoto and
unanimously carried.
COMMUNI- The following communications were considered :
CATIONS:
Comm. 83 : Letter from Edward Harada, Chief Engineer,
Department of Public Works, dated July 23 ,
1979 , regarding assignment of sanitary
sewerage system to Department of Water Supply.
Comm. 84: Statement of Stephen Yamashiro, Chairman ,
County Council , dated July 25 , 1979, regarding
an alternate plan for the makeup of the
council as a charter amendment.
Motion was made by Mr. Omonaka
to receive and file Communications
#83 and 484. Seconded by Mrs.
Iwamoto and unanimously carried.
BUSINESS CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: We' ll go to the business of
OF THE the day. We ' ll have discussion of public
DAY: education of the charter election and also
continue drafting revisions or corrections of
the existing charter.
Before I turn this over to Mr. Oda, is there
any motion to dispense with the rules of procedure? Or suspend
the rules of procedure?
MR. TRULSON: What rules are we. . . ?
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: Let ' s suspend the rules of
procedure.
MR. TRULSON: In regards to what?
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : So that we can discuss any
back policies that may have been brought up that do not fall
in line with Robert ' s Rules of Order.
MR. OMOiiAKA: Regarding the agenda?
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Regarding the discussion
that may take place on the agenda_ relative to the portions ,that
we are drafting now or shall we wait until later, if necessary?
Okay, our legal counsel has something to relate
to us.
SECTION 3-2: MR. ODA: Mr. Chairman and members of the
commission. As I stated last week, on the matter of the
amendment of Section 3-2, based on the addition of Council
Chairman Yamashiro ' s request as a third alternative, actually
making it four choices with the present--if you consider the
present section of 3-2--when I, with the assistance of Ms. Higa
here, started to put together the ballot form, the language of
that , it was obvious that it was going to be extremely
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difficult, if not impossible. so we called the Lt. Governor' s
Office and arranged to meet with them on Friday, last week
Friday, for whatever assistance could be provided us in
drafting the ballot language, based on the latest submissions
regarding Section 3-2.
Ms. Higa and I flew to Honolulu, Friday, and
met with Mr. Tamashiro and a person named Bob Mailer, also of
his office, the election office, and another person from the
city clerk ' s office in Honolulu. Five of us and we discussed
the options that were available to us as I presented it to the
commission on Tuesday night, last Tuesday or Wednesday. After
very thorough consideration of all possible ways in which to
devise a fair ballot provision, none of us could come up with
anything that we could consider to be fair or appropriate.
On Monday, since I was tied up with other
matters, I sent Ms. Higa back to Honolulu to meet with the
individual--the ,corporation councsel ' s office in Honolulu, to
meet with the deputy who was assigned to assist the Honolulu
Charter Commission in drafting the Honolulu'' Charter amendment.
n
ballots. Ms. Higa spent all day in Honolulu discussing the
problems and met together with Mr. Tamashiro and several
others who had met with us previously.
The only suggestion that they could come up
with after thorough consideration of all options, was to come
up with three options and all people vote on one of the three
options. Not even considering the present provision. However,
this is not to say that I agree that this is an appropriate
ballot language, or anything like that. Let me try to explain
the problems that I see in it based on the suggestion. that was
made.
(Frances Higa made the following chalkboard presentation)
3 OPTIONS NOT INCLUDING STATUS
VOTE FOR ONE :
Are you in favor of Option #1? ( 7 man) Yes No
►► ,► ►► " ►► Option #2? (9-0) '►
►1 91 " " " Option #3? ( 5-4) " �►
MR. ODA: You will note, Mr. Chairman, that the
status quo is not listed as one of the.7options. The reason it
is not listed as one of the options is , first of all, and the
biggest concern is that if it is listed as an option , what if
it doesn ' t get a majority? _ Then even the status quo is subject
to serious question if neither of the four options, if the
status quo is listed. So we have a built in problem there.
Now, so far as the three options up there are
concerned, there would be a confusion as to who would be voting
for the status quo because it ' s not listed. If you are saying
that those who vote for "no" any one of those "no" options are,
in fact, saying that they want status quo, that may not
necessarily be true.
-3-
Now, because you have three options, it might
be extremely difficult to receive a majority of the votes
cast on ,any one of _those options. Therefore, you have a
built-in bias in favor of the status quo under this particular
method.
This is, after much discussion, the best that
some of the most experienced and knowledgeable people in this
state could come up with. And, even, in spite of all their
efforts--which I am very grateful for, certainly they tried
to assist us in every way they can--they suggested that this
is full of problems. They realize that it ' s full of problems
and not, in fact, suggesting that this commission adopt this
proposal. However, they did say that the best that the
commission can probably do is to bite the bullet and to eliminate
two options. Leaving only the status quo and one option to be
voted upon leaving the possibility of a clear majority. They
strongly recommended that I recommend to the commission it
reconsider or whatever the number of options that it has
because of the impropriety or difficulty of forming ballot
language to conform to the statutory requirement of having a
majority approve the particular amendment.
I hope you can all understand why this is still
a very incomplete proposition. It doesn ' t really change
anything from what was proposed previously last week. You
still have the problem of majority, which is the most significant
one. And, when you imply that people are voting for the status
quo simply because they vote no on one of these, that may be a
wrong assumption.
MR. TRULSON: Mr. Chairman. Seeing the problem
that has been presented by the three options, I would like to
move to amend Section 3-2 to have one option and that is option
#3 , as it is now listed on the board, with the 5-4 council
makeup. There would only then be the status and one option on
the ballot.
MR. ISHIDA: Mr. Chairman. Before any second
is made, or not, can we have discussion?
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Would there be a point of
order on this?
MR. TRULSON: Mr. Chairman. I believe that we
have amended the rules of procedure at a prior meeting so we
could do what we are presently doing. A second to the motion
would merely get in on the floor to discuss.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: Mr. Trulson, it' s my under-
standing that the rules of procedure was dispensed with for
that particular meeting to accept such testimony. I don ' t
think those rules have been suspended for this particular
meeting. They would need a majority vote, I think , of the
commissioners in which to suspend the rules of procedure for
any particular meeting to introduce any past work.
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MR. TRULSON: That was not my understanding.
My understanding was that we had amended the entire rules
of procedure for the whole charter and not just for one part
of it. If it ' s only for one meeting, then I move that we
suspend the rules of procedure again at this meeting to
consider it.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : There is a motion on the
floor to amend or suspend the rules---is that suspend the
rules of procedure?
MR. TRULSON: Yes.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : There' s a motion on the
floor to suspend the rules of procedure.
MR. ISHIDA: Second.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : There ' s a second on the
motion. Any discussion?
MR. OMONAKA: Mr. Chairman. Since this is
such a critical item and we have Mr. Cadinha missing, and
we ..have Mr. Sensano missing, and we have Mr. Sakata missing,
and _.as our rules provide that next week will be the last day
in which we can consider anything before final draft, so
I would like to move to defer this until our next meeting
when we can have all of our commissioners present and then
make a final determination as to what we really will provide
for in terms of ,,Secti.on 3-2. So I would move for deferment
until next meeting.
MR. YANAGA: Second.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: It has been moved and
seconded to defer discussion on this one particular item,
Section 3-2, until the following meeting. Discussion?
MR. ISHIDA: I have a point of question on
that. The passage of this motion, does that mean I won ' t
be able to ask counsel further questions concerning these
things?
MR. OMONAKA: The intent of my motion is not to
take action on this. I guess we can have a lot of discussion
but to take formal action is what I 'm concerned with. So I 'd
like to see Harlan here, Herman here and Kimiaki. That ' s the
only intent of my motion.
MR. ISHIDA: I think that ' s proper.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: It has been moved and
seconded that we defer action on Section 3-2. Any further
discussion? Mr. Trulson?
MR. TRULSON: Mr. Chairman. My motion would
still be on the floor then.
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MR. OMONAKA: The motion to defer takes
precedence.
MR. TRULSON: I 'm sorry, I don ' t agree with
Mr. Omon ak a m'
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: The motion to defer has
precedence. We may discuss this for any length but as far
as taking action on it, it has been deferred until the next
meeting.
MR. TRULSON: We do have a majority of the
members here to vote on any issue.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : That ' s taken into consideration,
Mr. Trulson, however, because of it being such a touchy item
it was suggested that we have the chairman and the other members
here in order to have their input on the question.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : Mr. Chairman, would it be
possible for me to ask counsel a question?
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Certainly.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : Regarding the advice that was
given you in Honolulu. . .
MR. ODA: It wasn ' t advice, it was informal
discussion.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : Is the problem as has been
stated still the majority? We cannot find a majority?
MR. ODA: Right.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : So a majority, according to
the definition you gave us was. . .
MR. ODA: Of the votes cast.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : So a majority has to be two
options, only?
MR. ODA: That would result in a clear
determination of a majority. Once you have three or four,
the question of majority is extremely remote and you, in fact,
are saying--in fact, making it practically, statistically, it
may be very difficult, if not impossible for a majority vote
to come about.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : There is no' way the commission
could amend the charter to say a "plurality"?
MR. ODA: No. It cannot make its own law as
it goes along. Unfortunately, or fortunately, one way or the
other, depending on your outlook, because the charter has no
provision regarding how votes are to be counted, the State Law
in Chapter 50-10 and 11 would prevail. It requires a majority
of the votes cast at the election for any proposition to be
approved.
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MRS. KOBAYASHI : And the Lt. Governor' s Office
does not know of any ballot that was designed to take care of
our problem? In the history of Hawaii?
MR. ODA: Well , with the staff limitations that
they have in terms of, you know, they don 't go back that far,
of course, but I think they 're pretty knowledgeable people.
They have pulled out some examples of previous elections
throughout the state, some of which, you have seen. They even
gave me an opinion written by the corporation counsel ' s office
in Honolulu regarding the problems that they had with their
charter provisions back in 1972.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Excuse me, Stuart, Gloria,
is there any discussion on this motion that is on the floor
now to defer? If not, I 'd like to call for the question.
MR. TRULSON: I 'd like some more discussion.
MR. OMONAKA: Mr. Chairman. The intent of the
motion is that we wish to have the other three commissioners
present and to have discussion--I 'd like to have more
discussion on this but to take formal action on this thing,
I would like to defer.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : I understand. The motion
is to defer. Is it necessary for a roll call vote?
MR. OMONAKA: Yes, I think so.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : That ' s what I 'm calling for.
MR. YANAGA: The motion is to defer until next
week?
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : That ' s right.
Ayes - Yanaga, Yagong, Noes - Trulson
Omonaka, Ishida, - 1
Kobayashi , Iwamoto, Absent - Cadinha,
Schutte Sakata,
- 7 Sensano
Carried. - 3
Discussion can continue. Action on Section 3-2
is deferred until next week.
If you want to question Stuart some more. You
may discuss. It ' s to defer action.
MR. OMONAKA: Mr. Chairman. The intent of the
motion was to stop taking formal action on this matter, but
we can have more discussion. We can ask Stuart more questions.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: That' s right. We may ask
questions.
-7-
MR. ISHIDA: I have a question. Stuart, are you
telling us--you know,` you put this proposal on the board--are
you saying that that proposal can be put to the electorate? Or
are you saying that it cannot?
MR. ODA: I don ' t particularly feel that it ' s
appropriate. That ' s merely an example of what two days of
discussions came out with and that ' s the best that about five
minds could come out with in spite of the fact that there are
quite a few problems with it. They also recognized that there
are problems with this and in fact I don ' t think it ' s fair to
the group who Ms. Higa and I sat down with to even say that
this is their recommendation because they are not making this
recommendation. Their recommendation, in fact, was for the
commission to go back -to only two options. The status quo and
one option.
MR. ISHIDA: As far as this commission is
concerned, what I want to be very clear here is you are telling
us as far as you ' re concerned this is no good?
MR. ODA: That ' s right.
MR. ISHIDA: So we shouldn ' t even consider it?
MR. ODA: Well . . .
MR. ISHIDA: i just want it very clear so that
there ' s no mistake. . .
MR. ODA: For the record, that ' s right. There ' s
no question then. I merely put that up there to give the
commission an example of what transpired after two days of
discussions.
MR. ISHIDA: Then, is it my understanding that
as far as your recommendation to this commission is going to
be that probably the only valid means of sending this issue to
the electorate is going to be that there will be two choices?
One of which, must be the present system?
MR. ODA: I believe so. The reason I kind of
am saying it with a little reservation is because maybe there
is some genius out there who knows better. i don ' t know.
MR. ISHIDA: We have to depend on somebody.
We ' ll just have to depend on you.
MR. ODA: I just don ' t know of any way that
--and I can assure you we spent hours on this thing considering
all possible alternatives and with five minds, or six people,
coming up with whatever options, and everybody else picking
on it and trying to see what ' s wrong with it or what ' s good
with it, it really brought home the fact that what may look
good, initially, just would not stand under the statute.
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The initial suggestion that I made last week
which was the handout where you vote for the initial question
as to whether you want to amend the Section 3-2 and you vote
for one of two options, that , in itself, is also subject to
some serious problems, as I re-examine those provisions. The
reason is, of course, as you pointed out, Richard, that you
cannot--this possibility of getting a majority of the votes
cast from voting on the options is very difficult. So you are
slanting it in favor of the status quo by virtue of that. So
even the suggestions made last week , for all practical purposes,
are no good.
MR. ISHIDA: So all the alternatives that we
discussed last week are out the window, then?
MR. ODA: Yes. Basically, we have found a case
involving this county. Some of you may be old enough to
remember this one. Shunichi Kimura, Ralph Kiyosaki, and
Herbert Matayoshi versus County of Hawaii and Margaret Kaaua.
This was regarding a lawsuit involving the ballot language
for the 1966 Charter provisions, approval of the County Charter.
They had alternatives presented in the ballot. The basic issue
in that case, the basic question in that case was whether. the
votes on the alternative provision could count toward the
majority of the votes cast. If you consider alternatives as
options , here, for discussion purposes. The Supreme Court, in
that particular situation held that you cannot add the votes
on the alternatives together with -anything else to count toward
the majority. It has to be counted separately.
So, even reading into that case, I think the
assumption we made_last week ,which Mr. Sensano and I both made
was actually erroneous. We cannot look at the votes on the
options separately and say, aha, you know, they amount to more
than 50% and tally up all the yeses on the options. You can 't
do that. Each option has to have a majority of the votes. If
you have 100 votes in all, in order for option #1 to prevail
you 've got to have at least 51 votes on option #1 , itself.
According to the way I interpret that particular case. So it
presents a formidable drafting problem.
One person at the conference--meeting that we
had said perhaps because of the number of alternatives or options
that we have, perhaps it ' s not even possible to come up with
any language. Maybe he' s right. To conform to law.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Is there any other discussion?
MR. TRULSON : Mr. Oda, do you feel if thiswas
proposed and put on the ballot and say anyone of the options
'you', want or the status of the same. . .this may be just a gut
" reaction , it ' s hard for me to say, but, do you think the result
could be successfully challenged?
MR. ODA: If what were put on the ballot?
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MR. TRULSON: Say this is put_onthe ballot.
(presentation on chalkboard) Okay? One of the four can win.
If they say 17 2 , and 3--say, 3 comes out with a plurality.
Not a majority, but a plurality. Do you think it could be
successfully challenged and defeated?
MR. ODA: I have some concerns about doing
something like that. First of all , it ' s the fact that you
don ' t have status quo. . .
MR. TRULSON: What if there was just an
additional sentence?
MR. ODA: Well , if you put. . . are you in favor
of the status quo?. . .what you are,, in fact , doing is--
supposing the status quo itself doesn ' t pass by a majority?
Then what happens if none of these get a majority? None of
the four?
MR. TRULSON : How about a sentence that states
if none of these three get a majority, then it remains status
quo? If none of the three receive a majority of the votes ,
the council makeup would remain as is?
MR. ODA: You can do that, I suppose. . .but,
anytime you have more than two options , the chances of any
option getting the majority are extremely rare because you're
going to vote for only one. . .
MR. TRULSON: That 's what I 'm saying. If the
voters know that the majority, not a plurality, a majority,
or 50. 1%, do not vote for #1 , #2, or #3 , the status quo is the
same. That can be part of our job as far as voter education
is concerned. Now, the proponents of either one of those are
going to have to do their homework and whichever side prevails,
fine. The voters have their three choices. They understand
that if 50. 1% don 't vote for #1 , #2, or #3 , the status quo
remains as is.
MR. ODA: That can be done but we simply cannot
put option #4, as status quo. . .
MR. TRULSON: That ' s what I 'm saying. That
would eliminate that.
MR. ODA: What you would , in fact, be doing if
you list it, or even if you don ' t list it, you are, in fact,
stacking it in favor of status quo because you have three options.
It would be a built-in bias for status quo. But, if that ' s what
the commission wants , that ' s what the commission will receive.
MR. TRULSON: The commission , I don ' t believe,
can make a decision on this. It ' s already been voted that it
is deferred. So, it ' s really discussion.
MR. ODA: Possibly, say, the commission votes to
say that any option above does not obtain 51%, or more, of the
votes cast, would result in status quo. It can be done. . .
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MR. TRULSON: That would take care of the one
question you had that referred to choice. . . . . . In other
words, whether 50% would vote for it? That would take care
of that part of the question. . . . . .
MR. ODA: The other problem that I see with
this is the fact even if you based it dn that fashion, those
who are in favor--and there will be people in favor of status
quo--how are they really in fact going to express their vote?
MR. ISHIDA: What option? None of the above.
MR. ODA: Well , if you put none of the above,
that ' s option #4. And I think they have a right to express
their views like anybody else. I would not like to be a party
to any implied or assumed votes, like they did in the Con Con.
If you let everybody vote for every option,
you can see the problem, automatically. You can 't have every-
body voting for every option, yes or no. You' ll never get a
majority because every option will have a yes or no vote.
There' s no way you can have a majority. If you split 100 votes
three ways , automatically. . .the person who votes for option #1
will put no, no, on options #2 and 43, or, likewise, in the
others who vote for option #3, vote no on options #1 and #2.
So you have twice as many noes as you have yeses and you
eliminate each other by virtue of the yes and noes.
We thought about having everybody vote for
every one and that ' s the kind of problem we ran into. We
still have to come back to the majority of the votes for any
option to pass. If you use the 100 vote example, how do you
--beyond two options, how do you get, hope to get, a majority?
It ' s very difficult.
MR. OMONAKA: Can we define what is an item?
Maybe we can--the first item will be say, 7 and no change,
vote yes or no?
MR. ODA: What ' s that? I 'm sorry.
MR. OMONAKA: The law says now that the majority
of the votes cast on any item for charter amendments.
MR. ODA: On any proposition.
MR. OMONAKA: Can we interpret option #1 and
no change as one item?
MR. ODA: No. It ' s any proposition receiving
a majority of the votes cast in the charter election shall be
considered approved by the electors. So if it' s--only 100 votes
are cast, if option #1 is to prevail , it has to have 51 votes.
This would be considered a proposition, a proposition, a prop-
osition. (Each one. ) So you ' re splitting up 100 votes cast
into three or four ways. How are you going to get 51 in any
one proposition. Statistically, I suppose some mathmetician
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can come up with all kinds of possibilities but it' s like
gambling. I think all of you can see the problem.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: Stuart, there has been no
other case where options have been presented on the ballot
or are they just the one or two?
MR. ODA: They have in several samples that
you got and I. asked that question to those who were present
at Friday' s meeting and the response I got was that, hey, you
don ' t want to try that in ' 79. The climate of public under-
standing of those things was different ten years ago than it
is today and I think they' re right. What happened in 1972,
1976, I think probably will not go unnoticed in 1979.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: Tell me something else,
Stuart, are these people that gave you this information, the
same individuals who designed the Con Con ballot?
MR. ODA: No,. the Con Con ballot was designed
by the Con Con.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Did they have anything to do
with it?
MR. ODA: No. They just push the buttons and
tally. As I say, the individual who did work on the Honolulu
City and County' s Charter elections, said they had similar
problems to this. In fact, almost the same problems. But
their election was between the status quo and the amendment.
The two options. So, it wasn ' t that difficult and they had a
charter provision that they had to construe, _not thestatutorial
language. So it wasn 't, you know, the kind of problem that we
have of the number of options. They had only two options.
I regret that I cannot come before this commission
with a definite suggestion and say, hey, this is the answer to
all" our problems but I might as well be honest, I couldn ' t--
nobody there that I talked to could come up with anything. The
more you look into this the greater the problem seems to be
because you see more skeletons in the closet the more time you
spend looking into it. The intent, Mr. Chairman, is certainly
to make a very fair ballot that everyone has a clear understanding of
and tan express their desires on without any question as to I
wonder if I 'm doing this. . .if I put an x here, I 'm doing something
else?
I would have to say that more than likely, unless
somebody is a greater.'..:genius out there somewhere, as I stated,
more than likely the only way available is to have two options.
That I can see, anyway.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : And of those two options, one
would be the status quo?
MR. ODA: Right. Status quo versus either one
of these.
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Even in last week ' s proposal , I had the general
question. . . are you in favor of amending Section 3-2?. . .that
would be a vote on, the status quo, really. If you say, yes,
then the one option is out of the way, right? Then, if you are,
what option are you in favor of, #1 , or #2? The problem with
that one is you have the same problems with this. The
possibility you won ' t have a majority of the vote on the two
options. On either of the two options. Because only the
people who vote yes are coming down to vote, right? If 51 people
voted yes, you are going to have to split up 51 votes between
two options. How can you possibly have a majority? And you
can ' t have even the noes come down to vote because that ' s
inconsistent with what they voted up there. If they vote they
don ' t want any change, how can they vote for an option, right?
It doesn ' t make sense.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Stuart, the way you had it
last week, where you had to answer yes or no on the first part
of the question and then come down to the particular section,
it does not relieve the majority on the bottom portion of that
question?
MR. ODA: That ' s right.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : The majority still continues?
MR. ODA: Right. I initially thought otherwise
but I have to correct myself because after discussion with the
County
gentlemen and reading the case on Kimura versus C y of
options
you cannot construe. that options, the vote on the
any other way. IRthat particular case, it ' s like they added
the votes for one of the o_pfions to the general question to get
a majority vote. You can 't do that. Actually, I .tried to add
part one and part two to get a majority. Part two was short,
you know.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Any further discussion? ;Stuart,
unless you have more to say regarding this particular section,
before I get back to you, I ' d like to go to Bill Kikuchi. This
is in regards to public education for the charter election.
Is that all right with you?
Bill , did you have something that you wanted to
present?
MRS. KOBAYASHI : Kalani , you had better explain
to him what the problem is we're having with the ballot question.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Bill , have you been here long
enough to see what our problems are as far as this ballot is
concerned? This is only on this one particular section. I 'm
going to give you the floor and you present whatever you have
relative to your proposal and we' ll let the commission decide
on it.
MR. KI_KUCHI : Thank you. To get right into the
thing so I don ' t hold you up, what I did was to develop an
objective of this education program and I believe your intent
-13-
is to develop an understandable audio and visual approach
for the proposed charter amendments and to develop, , a
dissemination program that will reach the voting population
of the County of Hawaii.
To develop the audio visual we need to
interpret the ballot for the proposed amendments in the most
simplest manner and to develop support graphics for the
narrative.
MR. TRULSON: Excuse me, Mr. Kikuchi, could
you speak into the mike? I 'm having a difficult time hearing
you. Thank you.
MR. KIKUCHI : What I did was I developed a
short storyboard of what could be used in a graphic manner.
What visuals #3 , 4, and 5 represent is the present council
and narration would be supportive of the graphics . . . #6 and 7
are graphics and narratives for the creation of a reapportion-
ment commission . . .
These are the kinds of elements that can be
developed for a voter education program. Using symbolic
depiction of what is trying to be said so that it could be
utilized in the different ethnic languages.
Then the utilization of the visuals or the
audios could be used for the audio visual slide show that we
talked about. It could be used for brochures. It could be
used for newspaper supplements and charts.
The dissemination of the above elements with
the audio visuals could be utilized for meetings, cable
television, and possibly county fair booths.
The brochures could be utilized at meetings
as passouts, county fair, and to be available at the election
divi_sion� office.
C. Newspaper supplements--Hawaii Tribune-Herald,
West Hawaii Today, Hawaii Hochi , or similar.
Charts could be used at meetings, county fair,
library, other public places.
The audio visual economics for the project.
The audio visual development would be a 12 minute production
utilizing one slide projector and a playback cassette
recorder. The reason for that is if we use one slide projector
the county owns two so therefore there could be two simultaneous
meetings going on.
Brochure - contents would be proposed amendments
with graphics and ballots. Language translations may be
considered here.
C. Newspaper supplements - contents would be
proposed amendments, graphics and ballot. Provisions to
translate into languages will be made.
-14-
D. Charts - visual development for the above
will be enlarged for use at meetings, public display at
county fair and other pertinent locations.
The total economics comes down $6,500. The
above economics does not reflect- printing costs and
publication costs.
If the total economics for this proposal are
not within your budgetary constraints, the newspaper and
printing industries pay a 15% commission to recognized
advertising agencies, if the agencies make the placement.
This could subsidize the further development of this proposal.
Timetable. After receiving final ballot form:
A. Audio Visual which would include the development of the
story board, graphics, narration, synchronization, familiar-
ization - 20 working days.
B. Brochure - preliminary design and compre-
hensive design for camera ready reproduction - 15 working days.
C. Newspapaer supplement - confer with
publisher ( a) mechanical specifications (b) deadline. Then
proceed to develop preliminary design, client review,
comprehensive design, client review and then publisher.
- 27 days. This would meet your September 16 deadline.
D. Charts - 20 working days. Select 15
appropriate visual developments , enlarge for display. There
are 15 proposals.
If the project is approved and we are to begin
immediately and all the aud, ;o and visual elements were to start
simultaneously, the following would be achieved.A. Audio visual
- August 31 , 1979 ; B. Brochure - August 31 , 1979 ; C. Newspaper
supplement - September 7, 1979 ; D. Charts - August 31, 1979.
Questions?
MR. OMONAKA: Mr. Chairman. The counsel for
the commission is already working on the publication thing.
Are you suggesting that in addition to what they will be
preparing, which is required by law, that what you are proposing
is in addition to that?
MR. KIKUCHI : I would assist him in the develop-
ment of the supplement. Utilizing the graphics that we develop
for the audio visual.
MR. OMONAKA: There is a legal requirement to
print everything in the papers. Are you suggesting that in
addition to that publication , you want another publication?
MR. KIKUCHI : No, I 'm just talking about the
audio visual development for the publication. Helping them to
compose and layout the design.
-15-
MR. OMONAKA: I think Mr. Oda, to a degree, has
done that already.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : I think one thing, if I may
make a comment, in talking with Mr. Kikuchi earlier, is the
fact that if_ hedid what he can do for us, it would be a
consistent message. We would be using the same graphics.
When we go to speak and using the slide show, we would be
giving the same explanation of what the charter amendments
are. When you said based on economics , you said something
about your breakdown was-the commission for15% was only for
the newspaper costs?
MR. KIKUCHI : For printing, or newspaper
insertion. So, like if the supplement were to come under my
direction and my placement , I would be paid from the newspaper
or whoever the publisher may be, 15% commission. . .
MRS. KOBAYASHI : If you only do the slide
show, what would the charge be? Is there a breakdown that
way? And if you were only to do the brochure?
MR. KIKUCHI : $2,000 for the slide show.
11 , 000 for the brochure. I have it broken down. I ' ll leave
a copy with you.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: Bill , if you have a copy
of that handy,- you could leave it with our secretary. I 'd
like to have it filed as communication so we can refer to
it. (Communication #85 )
MR. KIKUCHI : I will leave you three copies
of the proposal plus the profile of, my company.
Mr. Chairman , may I add a conclusion?
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Certainly.
MR. KIKUCHI : I would like to commend all of
the County of Hawaii ' s' Charter Review Commission for your
efforts to assure the voters of Hawaii County of their rights.
The importance of the many months of work ;that
you have accomplished is now culminating to its most important
task and that task is to properly educate the voters of Hawaii
County. The charter and its proposed amendments will affect
the lives of the people of Hawaii County for many years.
It is important;, I believe, to inform the people of this
island in a consistent and understandable manner.
I thank you for hearing us.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Any other questions that the
members may want to ask of Bill while he is here? If there be
none, I would like to thank you, Bill , for taking the time to
come down here and a presentation so that we can consider it
in properly addressing the public. Thank you.
-16-
MR. KIKUCHI : Thank you for considering us.
RECESS : At 4: 42 p.m. the Chair called for a short recess.
RECONVENE : At 5 : 05 p.m. the meeting was reconvened.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : This commission is reconvened.
Let the record show that Commissioner Cadinha is now present.
( arrived at 4:51 p.m. )
Stuart, do 'you have something to add to the
revisions?
MR. ODA: Mr. Chairman. As a formality, since
we have to submit the charter provisions for translation into
Ilocano and Japanese, I would request that the commission
approve as a final draft--approve the final draft of the
charter provisions except for Section 3-2, tonight, so that
we can proceed with the translations.
MR. OMONAKA: Mr. Chairman. I so move to the
effect.
MR. TRULSON: Second.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: It has been moved and
seconded that the final draft ft of the charter
be,' submitted to
the County Clerk , with the exception of Section 3-2. Are you
ready for the question?
MR. ISHIDA: One moment, Mr. Chairman. On this
second set of revisions that you gave us , we didn ' t go through
it page by page, but, you know, there ' s just one typographical
error that I know of that has to be changed. If we approve it
we are going to assume that we are going to accept it as is,
right?.
MR. ODA: Well, so faras typographical errors,
we ' ll have to make necessary changes. Certainly, I don ' t think
this commission is approving typographical errors.
MR. ISHIDA: That ' s what I want to be sure of.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : The motion is to the intent?
Am I correct, Mr. Omonaka?
MR. ISHIDA: I have difficulty in adopting
something like this by intent, which is kind of a final draft.
MR. ODA: Do you see any errors?
MR. ISHIDA: There' s one in Article XIV. In
Section 14-2, the; 5th line. . .
-17-
MR. ODA: We're aware of that. The correction
has been made on the original submission to the County Clerk.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : What is the correction?
MR. ODA: It should be. . .the council shall by
resolution. .shall by resolution. That will be on page 50.
You don ' t have a page number on yours? Article XIV.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: The 6th to the last page,
I believe.
MR. ODA: Second to the last paragraph, 5th
line from the top. The latter half of that sentence there
after the comma. . .the council shall by resolution.
Why don ' t I have Frances Higa go through the
typographical corrections and we can all make those and maybe
the motion can incorporate those changes.
MS. HIGA: i apologize for the errors, first
of all . If other options , whatever the options will be, that
will be added in , we,' 11 take care of that next time.
Under Section 3-3. Reapportionment and
Reapportionment Years - Subsection (g) the word "five" has
been deleted.
MR. TRULSON : Excuse me, what subsection is
that?
MS. HIGA: Subsection (g) as in girl. The first
line of that subsection. Okay, everybody got that?
The next correction is a typographical error.
That ' s on that same section , subsection (i ) . The last line
of that subsection. Reapportionment was misspelled.
New Section 3-17. it ' s entitled General Plan.
The 4th line. It starts with "county". . .it shall contain a
statement of development objectives. . .development was mistyped.
The next correction is on the next page,
Section 3-18. Mandatory Program Review. The 3rd line from the
bottom, the sentence begins with favorably. . .authorize it
continuation at current. That ' s another typographical error.
The next correction is in Chapter 2. Corporation
Counsel , Section 5-2.2. Appointment and Removal. On the 3rd
line beginning with "confirmed by. . . .the council and may be
removed by the mayor" and the brackets were deleted, the
brackets before "with" and on the next line following the word
"council" that was deleted.
Also on that page, Section 5-2.6. Term of Office
was added.:: That was done at the last meeting.
-18-
Next correction was in Chapter 6, Department of
Water Supply. Section 5-6.3. Powers, Duties and Functions.
In the last paragraph under that section beginning with. . .in
addition , all water. . .the words. . .and sanitary sewerage was
deleted. And also on the 2nd to the last sentence of that
paragraph the same words. . .and sanitary sewerage. . .was deleted.
Also on Section 5-6.4. The next section, Board
of Water Supply, under subsection (a) the 3rd line beginning
with the word "work" and "sanitary sewerage. " Those three
words were deleted. . . and sanitary sewerage.
Are you all following me? Okay. The next
correction is on subsection (c) of that same section. . .recommend
to the county council water. . . and again. . .and sanitary sewerage
. . .was deleted.
The next correction is on Article XI . Removal
of Elected Officers. It has to do with recall. Turn to
Section 11-1.6 entitled Recall Election. About midway down
through that paragraph, you' ll see the number ( 60) in brackets.
The line following that beginning with the word "been." This
should read. . .been presented to the council , the word or should
be added. And then following. . .at the same time as any other.
Okay, did you all follow that?
In Article XIII , Code of Ethics. Section 13-3.
Disclosure of Interest. Subsection ( a) . we' re on the 4th line
beginning with the word "might. " Typographical error on that
line. . .might reasonably tend to create. . .should be an e at the
end of that.
There was the one that Richard pointed out in
Article XIV.
Also on Article XV, Transitional Provisions.
There were two changes. First of all , i believe it was at the
last meeting we added ;a new _subsection regarding the Board of
Water Supply. That language has been added in there.
And also in what appears on your copy to be
subsection (c) under Section 15-4, that section reads each
county civil service, right now. Go down to the line beginning
with the word "when. " It should read. . .when an employee ' s
position which has been so affected. . .ed should be added. . .
becomes.
The last correction is on the next page.
Section 16-5 which is in brackets. Referring to Temporary
Budget and Capital Program. The word "Program" the PR'°_vvas
capitalized and that should be lower case.
MR. ODA: That ' s about it, so far as changes.
There will be a new Section 5-2.6 regarding the Term of Office
of the Corporation Counsel.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: Mr. Omonaka, will your motion
so include the corrections?
-19-
MR. OMONAKA: It would include that, Mr. Chairman.
MR. TRULSON: Second.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: Any further discussion? The
question.
Ayes - Cadinha, Kobayashi , Noes - None
Iwamoto, Ishida, Absent - Sakata,
Yanaga, Trulson, Sensano
Yagong, Omonaka, - 2
Schutte
- 9
Carried.
Is there any further discussion on what we have
just gone over? Is there any unfinished business?
MRS. KOBAYASHI : Mr. Chairman, what about the
presentation by Mr. Kikuchi? First of all , before I make a
motion , do we have the moneys?
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Well , to be very frank, we are
out of budget because the printing, etc. , is going to be
considerably more than we anticipated. It will be necessary to
go out of budget and get additional moneys. To be very frank,
Gloria, it does not look like we' re going to have enough money
to do, or to make up this slide presentation that Bill presented.
However, I can ' t say, for sure until we can get
more input as to what ' s available and what the costs are going
to be for the printing. We have just a ballpark figure and
right now that ballpark figure looks closer to $17,000 of which
we don ' t have the necessary appropriation at the moment.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : Are you saying we are $17,000
in the hole?
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: No, there will be enough money
allotted but it ' s out of budget as far as publication and so
forth is concerned. I don ' t know if there' s going to be--whether
this can be squeezed in._-- Maybe we' re overshooting the cost.
We are only projecting cost because Yasuki does not have the
definite figures yet so we can get some of this information and
get some feelers out for publication.
Let me go over a couple of items and maybe I
can explain it a little better. Just the interpretation portion
for the Japanese is $2,800. That ' s just to interpret it. It
has nothing to do with translating it. It does not include the
printing. The Ilocano is $2, 700. Now, these are mandatory
items that have to be put up. There' s the 19,000 circulation
projected for the English version for the Tribune-Herald. It ' s
$4, 300. For the West Hawaii distribution--that ' s just the
distribution for that in 5 ,000 copies, is about $650.
-20-
Now, the printing of approximately 10, 000 copies
which would include 5 ,000 for West Hawaii and the balance would
be for the voting booths, you 're looking at another $500. So
what Yasuki is looking at, roughly, is approximately $17 or $18
thousand dollars just for the basic cost of doing the legal
printing.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : Well , the next question then
is what is the possibility of getting additional funds?
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : It ' s possible, Gloria. How
far we ' ll get to it, I don ' t know.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : Based on hjs' timetable, we would
need to start right away in order to get everything done . . .
and the break down--I don ' t have a copy right in front of me but
his proposal is broken down into categories.
MR. OMONAKA: Mr. Chairman. What would be the
procedure to seek additional funds for this work, as Gloria has
suggested? And the timetable, whether rejection , or. . . ?
What would be the procedure. to get these additional funds and
how soon do we know if we' re going to get these additional funds
or not?
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Well , let me give you an idea
of what we had in budget here initially.
Publicity. . .there was only $4, 700 provided for
that. That was just submitting it from the information we had
received at that particular time. Not taking into consideration
anything else.
We are going over--or we are seeking additional
funds presently through the Mayor' s contingency funds to make
these additional dollars.
It ' s very possible we could fit something like
this in and get the necessary dollars to cover it, if I can
recalculate this thing and set aside dollars that have been
set aside for other items that we have not used which does' not
amount to too much.
Our legal counsel , no reflection, Stuart , because
of the workload we have given to him, is pretty close to what
has been budgeted and any override we would have to put towards
that portion of it.
You can make a motion , Gloria, if that be the
wish of the commission. i will certainly do whatever possible
to get the necessary dollars if you feel that-= or_ this body
feels that they can make use of that audio visual within the
time that we 're going to have allotted.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : His proposal is a package
proposal that can be broken down. It is for a slide show,
work on getting a brochure created plus help in getting the
newspaper supplement created, plus charts that can be used at
a county fair booth or when we are asked to speak at various
functions. That ' s the main reason I asked you.
-21-
I would like the whole package but if we can 't
afford it, I ' d like to break it down. If not, I suppose I
could make a motion that we approve this package and you find
the money. But , you know, that ' s not a very responsible kind
of motion.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Thank you for your consider-
ation.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : Looking at this, the largest
portion is of $3 ,000 for the newspaper supplement.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Okay. Can we get some input
from the other commissioners before we make a motion on this?
Is there :a:possibility of some more discussion in :regards to
putting this on and. . .
MR. TRULSON: Mr. Chairman . I don ' t quite under-
stand, or really know how we can effectively use what Mr. Kikuchi
has presented. I had a very difficult time hearing him. I would
have to read the minutes , next week , to know, really,what he said.
I heard him mention $6,500. Was that the cost of his package?
MRS. KOBAYASHI : That ' s the total cost.
MR. TRULSON : That ' s the cost of his package?
And included in that was a insert in the paper with. . . ?
MRS. KOBAYASHI : No, he would work with counsel
in creating the graphics that would make the newspaper tabloid
more attractive.
MR. TRULSON : Have we requested this of him?
Or is this a proposal of his?
MRS. KOBAYASHI : It ' s a proposal . I have
talked to him. This is all preliminary talk.
MR. TRULSON: What I 'm thinking about is using_
$6,500 to develop a video audio program. I 'm not sure exactly
how we will use it. Will everybody here have access to it?
Whenever somebody calls us to speak? We don ' t know if anybody
will call us to speak. I mean, is it feasible? I 'm not
speaking against it, I 'm asking questions. Is it a feasible
thing to do?
MR. ISHIDA: That was going to be my question.
Assuming we do get this, how are we going to use it? Because
I don ' t think that is in his proposal.
MR. TRULSON: Depending on the type of organi-
zation that you are talking to. It may be an organization
that knows as much of what is happening as the person who is
speaking. Do we need it? Who is it geared to? A special
group?
MRS. KOBAYASHI.: I think we are aiming at a mass
kind of thing. Everyone. The idea that he came up with was
a package deal so that everything that is--well , I guess we have
-22-
to decide, do we want--obviously, we need the newspaper
supplement.
MR. TRULSON: This we've already decided.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : Yes, but he ' s saying that
to help to make the newspaper supplement something better
than just a piece of dry word on the paper, he can develop
graphics something like what he showed us today. Also he
can maybe take pictures in addition to that. As well as the
newspaper supplement, he can develop a brochure that could
be coordinated with the newspaper supplement. Something like
campaign literature.
MR. TRULSON: Okay, new developing these
brochures, is the cost of printing included in that brochure?
MRS. KOBAYASHI : No, this does not include the
printing. He said this is all creative work. And along with
that would be the audio visual . So you would use the same
kind of graphics and photos, if necessary, in the slide show,
brochures, and newspaper supplements and charts. He ' s offering
to do four things for us. This is simply the creative aspect.
MR. TRULSON: Perhaps some of the other
commissioners will have something to say.
MR. ISHIDA: I think the problem we're faced
with is I think we 're going to need something. We have to do
something to disseminate all this information but the problem
is this, now, according to Bill ' s proposal , all right , he ' s
going to have all of these now. . .the audio visual , brochures,
newspapers, charts. . .he' ll have it, but now, where do we go
from _there? That has to be taken into consideration before
we say yes on this thing.
He ' s talking about specifically for the audio
visual things you can use for cable television , county fair,
brochures, meetings, elections division. . .okay, fine. But,
now, who is going to follow up to see that they get used at
meetings , or how he gets it to the cable television, the
county fair, I think that ' s the link that still has to be
determined yet.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : I haven ' t ever found out
exactly how much the County Clerk ' s Office will do fo us.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Well , Gloria, like I said,
the basic fi=gures that Yasuki- is •working on now is just the
printing alone that they' re looking at. Right now, Yasuki
says between $17 and $18 thousand dollars. Now, if we go
this route with this audio visual type of thing, Stuart, is
there a legal problem on the language? Does it have to be
. . .are we looking at Ilocano and Japanese?
MR. ODA: You mean on just the public relations
aspect?
-23-
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Yes , as far as this audio
visual is concerned.
MR. ODA: I don ' t see that there is. Not
unless you' re going before a group just for that ethnic
group. You don ' t promote an English program before a
predominantly Filipino or Japanese speaking group. They
are not voting on something. Iis merely a promotional
mechanism and I don ' t think it ' s necessary to be in Filipino
and Japanese. It would be nice but I don ' t see any legal
problem with it.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: Could I have some more
input? Amy?
MRS. IWAMOTO: Speaking about the language,
according to Mr. Kikuchi , he mentioned that he will be using
symbols in his graphics. Symbols are like a universal
language. That it would be understood by people of different
races who do not speak English® The illustrations that he
showed on the charts were in symbols and I think this could
be understood by anyone.
MR. ODA: I might add, Mr. Chairman, I 'm not
pushing any proposal or anything but I think I would like to
have an attractive newspaper supplement and we need somebody
to help us on the graphic aspect of it.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Have you talked with
Yasuki ,' as to how far they' re going to go to set this up?
Or is he letting the paper set it up, or are you supposed to
set it up?
MR. ODA: I think it ' s too much for me to
handle something like that because it ' s beyond my expertise,
to begin with and the other, I have a question of time, you
know. Those two big concerns and I think if we are going to
just submit words to the people in the newspaper, is one
thing. We 're not submitting news, you know, we ' re submitting
something that we want them to read so it has to be in a fairly
attractive climate, in a method, so I really do feel that we
need some help in a graphic excerpt putting it in a pleasant
and attractive supplement to the people.
MR. TRULSON: Mr. Chairman. It would seem,
you know, we ' re faced with time and budget restrictions,
perhaps we could utilize Mr. Kikuchi strictly as a! äd in, the
supplement instead of going into the audio -visual aid. Perhaps
that would be more palatable to the commission.
MR. CADINHA: Mr, Chairman. I think it ' s
important also when considering the time frame, I think it ' s
important that this body approve all the proofs before they
go out. Not that anybody would be slanted in the design of
anything but to make sure that we have a completely objective
PR piece that clearly states what changes are being proposed.
That ' s always the danger of something being lost in translation
is also there.
-24-
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: Are you speaking then in
favor of it?
MR. CADINHA: Whatever this body decides.
But I think a consideration that should be made is that the
proofs come back here for approval rather than just go to
be drafted and finality and we read about it in the paper
or see the film clip after it ' s being shown and it ' s not
exactly or it doesn 't paint _very clearly` the picture that
this commission is trying to convey. That is a problem with
going with a commercial artist.
MR. TRULSON: Mr. Chairman. I would like to
move that we obtain the help of Mr. Kikuchi for the
supplement which is going to instruct the voters and help
the voters on the ballot and that the proofs should be
screened by the commission before they are accepted.
MR. CADINHA: Is that a motion? It__is?__:;Then
I second that.
MR. ISHIDA: Is the motion just Limiting to
the supplement?
MRS. KOBAYASHI : Bud, . what about a brochure?
MR. TRULSON: I believe we have a supplement
and we don ' tneed a brochure. . It' s my personal opinion.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : I think a brochure would be
written in everyday terms. Don ' t you think weneed a brochure
explaining the amendments?
MR. TRULSON: Didn ' t we talk about a brochure
originally. I 'm looking at the duplication of effort.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : I 'm looking at a brochure as
like campaign literature. The newspaper supplement is going
to be the charter as is. It ' s going to be very dry reading.
MR. ODA: Well , there will be an introductory
portion with, hopefully, layman ' s explanation of each provision.
It ' s not meant to be all inclusive but, hopefully, at least it
gives a brief digest of what is in the formal language of the
charter.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : How many pages are you using?
MRS. ODA: Sixteen or seventeen. Somewhere around
there.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Mr. Trulson , your motion is
that we accept the proposal of Bill Kikuchi for the newspaper •
supplement. That would be under Section C of his proposal
here which says. . .Newspaper supplements - contents would be
proposed amendments , graphics and ballot. Provisions to
translate into languages will be made. $3 ,000. This is what
your motion includet?
-25-
MR. TRULSON : Right and in addition that the
proofs should be submitted to us for approval.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: All proofs will be submitted
here for verification.
MR. ISHIDA: Mr. Chairman , can we at the ,same
time seek, possibly, additional funds to finance Mr. Kikuchi ' s
proposal in full? So that if it ' s possible then _maybe we can
have all these things.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Well , if some of his proposal
does include the translation of languages, and - the set up of
these things here, then I believe that it would as a result
reflect on the proposed figure that the Clerk ' s Office presently
has. And it may be lessened by the same amount that ' s put out
for Kikuchi. The only thing is for the audio visual is , as you,
yourself, stated previously, when is this going to be used
within the time scope that we have and will it be used? The
brochure, the newspaper supplements, we know, for a fact, those
will be put out. Any further discussion? There' s a motion on
the floor to accept the proposal of Bill Kikuchi for newspaper
supplements. The provision of the newspaper supplements 'would
be under Section C of his proposal. . .
MRS. KOBAYASHI : Mr. Chairman. May I amend
Mr. Trulson ' s motion to say that funds be sought to implement
the total package, if available, he could be retained to do
all of that.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: The intent of your motion is
that if funds are available, the entire package be accepted?
MR. ISHIDA: That additional funds will be
sought.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : Yes, right. Additional funds
will be sought.
MR. TRULSON : Mr. Chairman. I ' ll withdraw
my motion and let somebody else make a new one, I 'm not in
favor of that.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : Nobody seconded my amendment.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Mr. Trulson has withdrawn
his motion.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : I move that Mr. Kikuchi be
retained to work on the newspaper supplement. I would like
to make the same motion Mr. Trulson made.
MR. OMONAKA: Mr. Chairman. Wouldn ' t the proper
procedure be to seek funds first and should these be available
then we can set priorities. I would like to go in that
direction. And, of course, in terms of priorities, I think
-26-
•
Mr. Oda pointed out what he' d like and perhaps, Mr. Chairman ,
we should form a subcommittee and work with Mr. Oda.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : That sounds very good.
Gloria, would you chair that subcommittee?
MRS. KOBAYASHI : I would be happy to.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: And work with Mr. Oda,
the Clerk ' s Office, Yasuki ?
MRS. KOBAYASHI : Are you going to give me
any members?
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Would you like to pick
them or shall I volunteer them?
MR. TRULSON: I 'd like to volunteer.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: Thank you, Bud. Anybody
else?
MR. OMONAKA: Mr. Chairman, I so move to the
effect that we request for additional funds for the purpose
of aiding us in publicizing to the general public all of our
actions. And have this subcommittee formed and they in turn
work with Mr. Oda and the County Clerk and do whatever is
necessary within their power that is appropriate.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: Mr. Omonaka, just as a
matter of information, I already have gone after the additional
funds , in addition to what we have here and we are looking at
an additional $15 ,000 over and ;above what we already have in
the budget. So the additional funds have been tapped, so to
speak. I don ' t know if it would be necessary for a motion of
that nature. If this committee would investigate, we may be
duplicating dollars or costs between the supplement that Bill
Kikuchi has presented to us and that which Yasuki Arakaki
suggested. And, possibly, with this committee working together
with legal counsel and the Clerk ' s Office and Kikuchi , I think
we could get some of these dollars shaved off and as a result
we may be duplicating. Your motion is that we form a sub-
committee, is that correct?
MR. OMONAKA: No. Is it my understanding that
you have the funds for these additional projects?
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Yes, we' re going after
$15 , 000 to cover this. Additional to what we have already
have supplemented. We have a budget here of $30,000 for this
half. That' s already been budgeted. In addition to that,
we've gone after another $15 , 000.
MR. OMONAKA: Has that been approved?
-27-
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: Yes.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : You told me we didn ' t have
enough money.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Yes, Gloria, but what I 'm
saying is that includes the total budget. What I 'm looking
at, we may have duplication of costs here between Kikuchi ' s
presentation and that of Yasuki . Because there are some
things in here where I notice that Bill in his proposal makes
reference to provisions to translate into languages will be
made. That ' s in the newspaper supplements;_ andunder the
brochure he has language translations may be considered here
and he' s looking at $1 , 000 on that. So, I 'm assuming this
now and the only difference down here is in the bottom he
says the above economics does not reflect printing costs and
publication costs.
Well , just the translation costs, you know,
we're looking at over $6, 000 just between the translation ,
see, so we might be able to knock this down.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : I second Akira' s motion.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Akira, let me get the basics
of your motion 9 again. It ' s to form a committee to supplement?
MR. OMONAKA: A subcommittee.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : A subcommittee?
MR. OMONAKA: Yes, a small committee.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : To work with the Clerk ' s
Office and legal counsel in preparing the. . .
MR. OMONAKA: Along with Mr. Kikuchi. Now, I
don ' t know what his end of the deal would be in terms of cost.
He may decide, hey, under those basis, I don ' t want to come in.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: So your motion is just that
a subcommittee be formed?
MR. OMONAKA: If we have the funds. It was my
understanding that we didn ' t, so we would request for additional
funds for the purpose of dissemination of information to the
public.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Is there a second to the
motion?
MRS. KOBAYASHI : I seconded it.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: It has been moved and
seconded that a subcommittee be formed to disseminate information
to the public regarding charter amendments. Get ready for the
question.
MR. OMONAKA: Question.
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Ayes - Cadinha, Kobayashi , Noes - none
Iwamoto, Ishida,
Omonaka, Yagong, Absent - Sakata,
Trulson , Yanaga, Sensano
Schutte - 2
- 9
Carried.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Gloria, will you chair that
subcommittee, please? And, Bud Trulson , and Amy, would you
help in that?
Is there any other unfinished business?
MR. OMONAKA: You know, coming back , Mr. Chairman ,
regarding Mr. Cadinha' s concern about how language will be
prepared and I think Mr. Oda has been with this commission and
he understands the intent of the commission. So, if we get into
an area that ' s kind of grey, I think the committee should report
back. Otherwise, do you want to look at everything that goes
out prior to publication?
MR. CADINHA: I personally would.
MR. ODA: I have no problems with that so long
as we have the time. I hope we have the time to do it. I have
a little bit of concern about that. When you say, proofs , are
you talking about newspaper proofs? Do you want all those
things brought in for approval? Is that what you are saying?
MR. CADINHA: Let ' s go back to the full-on
proposal. We have a slide program, right? And we have a:pamphlet.
Audio visual - 12 minute production utilizing a slide projector.
Brochure - $1 , 000. Newspaper supplements, Charts - some of
the visual developments for the above to be enlarged. . .at meetings
public display at county fair. . .The above economics. . .
Okay, how do you graphically, or through the
use of audio visual media explain. . . let ' s take a controversial
subject, the districting or the water function? You can present
the same alternative in two different ways and one would be a
very positive way and one a very negative way. My concern is
just that I would like to see what ' s going to be presented.
MR. ODA: Oh , you 're primarily concerned about
the audio visual aspect?
MR. CADINHA: Yes, I don ' t think any language
is going to say, this should be done or this should not be
done. That ' s not it but 'once you get into this translation
of the hard work and months - that we' ve put in here for consumption
using pictures , using artists ' license, if you will , I have just
gone through several brochures and publications, things like that
and I have some experience in it and I know some of the things
that come out are not what you intend when you submit it. When
it goes into the mill . And I 'm being a little bit of a Dutch
Uncle in wanting to see this stuff before it hits the press.
-29-
MR. ODA: The subcommittee, Mr. Chairman, is
to do what? What is their duty, specifically?
Their duties are specifically
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : p y
to work with you and with the Clerk ' s Office and also Bill
Kikuchi to program this thing out. Because like I said ,
Yasuki may be working on the printing or the language of
translation and if, since Bill is involved, or may be involved
with this, some of his provisions, or his proposal here
includes translation. So what I 'm saying is instead of
duplicating efforts , _if this subcommittee would work to
coordinate the efforts.
MR. ODA: Among other things , the subcommittee,
I presume, is going to kind of give input as to format of the
supplement and how the thing is to be arranged with the
assistance of whoever else is available?
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: Yes.
MR. TRULSON : Mr. Chairman. Maybe I misunder-
stood the whole thing, but my idea of the subcommittee was
the feasibility of this entire program. Now we 're talking
as if we 've already adopted it and how we' re going to do it.
The motion was , to my understanding, was to see if we are
going to use part or all of Mr. Kikuchi ' s program, or none
of it. Not how we were going to implement it.
MR. OMONAKA: Well , the intent of the motion
was to authorize the subcommittee to disseminate information
regarding charter amendments and, obviously, they are not
to duplicate work with the Clerk ' s Office. They do what they
feel is right in terms of developing a. . .
MR. TRULSON : We have not, as a commission,
agreed to adopt any of Mr. Kikuchi ' s proposals.
MR. OMONAKA: We are so authorizing the
subcommittee to do that.
MR. TRULSON : To do that or to study the
feasibility and come back to this commission with what we
think?
MR. OMONAKA: The intent is to authorize them
to, as a subcommittee, to work out the program.
MR. TRULSON : I could not serve on a sub-
committee to implement something that I disagree with. I 'm
sorry.
MR. CADINHA: Mr. Chairman. Could we reconstruct
the motion? Mr. Omonaka' s motion? Thp verbiage? The exact
wording? No, I 'm with you, Mr. Trulson , I didn ' t understand
that.
-30-
MR. OMONAKA: The intent is that if we have
enough funds , and my original understanding was that we did
not have. - So the motion was to seek additional funds and
if these funds are available, we have a subcommittee formed
from within the commissioners here and they, in turn , work
with Mr. Oda and with the County Clerk ' s Office and do what-
ever is necessary to go out and publicize the amendments
that we have worked on for the charter.
MR. CADINHA: How much money are we . going
to spend on this?
MR. TRULSON : That was not the intent of my
original motion. Mr. Omonaka, what you're saying then , in
effect, is that we are adopting the plan and it ' s up to the
subcommittee to go out and do it?
MR. OMONAKA: . . .
MR. TRULSON: So, what you ' re saying is--the
way, I understand you is that we ' ll go out and we' ll avoid
duplication but with the implication that we are going to
take the proposal and pare off what we don ' t need.
MR. OMONAKA: Whatever is necessary.
MR. TRULSON : The motion then is actually two.
We are a subcomittee and also we've agreed we are going to
use Mr. Kikuchi ' s proposals and pare it down.
MR. ISHIDA: Mr. Chairman. Bud, isn ' t it , in
essence, that you_ ae talking about the same thing? The
committee has to determine whether it ' s feasible or not. If
it ' s feasible, you can go one step further, whether how you
would like to do it.
MR. TRULSON: I thought the committee was just
going to study to see if it was feasible, _period. If it was
not in total or in part, then they come back to this commission.
I didn ' t realize that we were going to accept it and then go
ahead and work on it. That ' s my misunderstandingof the
motion.
MR. OMONAKA: That is because we don ' t have
that much time to continuously to meet to review every draft
of document that d8 going to go out.
1`R. CADINHA: Mr. Chairman. How much money
are we allotting for this? It seems rather openend.ed at this
point. Do we have any idea?
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: What we 're looking at is
a proposal by Bill Kikuchi, that would not only present the
audio visual production but would also produce a brochure
that would contain amendments of graphs and ballot design and
language translations, newspaper supplements. The contents
would be proposed amendments, graphics, provisions to translate
-31-
it into languages. He suggests, or proposes, a number of
items that would essentially have the end result of public
information. But, in addition to that, some of his proposals
lapse into the responsibilities that the Clerk ' s Office is
undertaking. As a result, certain costs, and, as an example,
I give you the translations, the language translations, these
costs are included in projections.. that the Clerk ' sOffice are
making but it ' s also included here in the portion of the
proposal that Bill Kikuchi is making and for considerably less
money.
So, I believe, the intent of the subcommittee
was to coordinate the efforts of what, legal counsel and the
Clerk ' s Office with what possibly Bill Kikuchi can provide
as to coming out with a ballot design, the newspaper supplement
that ' s proposed and it ' s just a coordinating committee of this
commission.
Legal counsel feels that he can put in the
necessary_ legal: language but does not have the expertise to
do the supplements or the design of the supplements that will
be circulated to the public. He feels he needs the expertise
of someone like Bill Kikuchi that could do that.
MR. TRULSON: Mr. Chairman. I somehow have
erroneously got the feeling that we're paying $6,500 for ideas.
A brochure v contents would be proposed amendments with graphics
and ballot. Language translations may be considered. $1 ,000.
But that doesn ' t include the printing costs and publication.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: That ' s true.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : It ' s artwork , ideas and wording.
Who' s going to do it? Is the commission going to do it?
MR. TRULSON: If you're talking strictly on
artwork, is the commission going to do it? I would think not.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : I don' t think we would be doing
the wording either.
MR. TRULSON: You mean like the ballot, or the. . ?
MRS. KOBAYASI: No, not the ballot, the laymen ' s
language.
MR. TRULSON: Of what?
MRS. KOBAYASHI : , On explaining what the ballot
means.
MR. CADINHA: Okay, basically, then the intent
of your motion was to give the responsibility and authority to
the committee to go ahead and do this function however they
determine it was best done and at whatever cost they wanted
to do? Is that correct?
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MR. OMONAKA: The alternative to that would
be that this commission would have to meet anytime anything
is published to go over the documents , if that ' s your concern.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : Would it be proper then ,
Mr. Chairman , for me to make a motion that would give the
subcommittee authorization to spend up to $3 ,000 in getting
the newspaper supplements created?
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Gloria, I think that right
at• this particular time that is very vague as to whether that
is going to be enough. If we are looking at what Bill is
proposing and we are willing to take that as a figure, if
that ' s what we 're looking at , that ' s one thing. But is it?
Bud ' s earlier motion was that this particular
portion be accepted for $3 ,000 for that particular Section C
of his proposal which covers newspaper supplements. Contents
would be proposed amendments, graphics and ballot. Provisions
to translate into languages will be made.
Stuart , are you under the impression that this
section here, that Bill has proposed, would take care of what
you' re trying to get accomplished regarding the supplement?
MR. ODA: It seems to me it might. I 'm not
sure. I 'm not absolutely sure, but I think it does.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Well , you know, this same
section here, Yasuki is working with the printing people and
they' re doing the same identical thing.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : No, but who ' s getting the
finished copy to the printers?
MR. ODA: Yasuki is only working on printing
costs only. That ' s all.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : And Stuart ' s only working on
the legal end, the legal language. Who ' s going to make the
thing- flow so you can read it? And it will look decent?
That ' s what Mr. Kikuchi does. I don 't think you can expect
the commissioners to spend the time to create headings and
pictures and do graphics. I suppose that ' s why the subcommittee
was formed. I don ' t think we can do very much if we don ' t have
any money to--or any authority to hire someone to do it.
I would like the authority to hire Mr. Kikuchi, but I cannot
hire him if I don ' t know to what extent I can use him. So, if
at ths5time I could. . .if you would give me the authority to
use him for the newspaper supplement and up to $3 , 000, it would
help. At least the subcommittee could get something off the
ground.
And of course we will look into any duplication
of efforts. If somebody else is doing it, we won 't. .
-33-
MR. CADINHA: Mr. Chairman. How much money
do you have budgeted?
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : We have a total budget for
this session of $30,000. .If you want me to be very specific
and itemize what we have allotted for publicity, that has
been allotted on this budget. . .it ' s only $4, 700. We have got
an addition $15 , 000 out of the mayor' s contingency fund, if
we so need it.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : But the $4, 700 did not include
printing. Was that supposed to include printing?
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Newspaper printing.
MRS. KOBAYASHI : Out of the $4, 700?
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Yes. Now, this was taken
from a projection that was made by the mayor' s office. Just
that $4, 700 was on the newspaper printing. It does:. .not include
anything else. So as a result, there' s an additional $15 ,000
that the mayor has appropriated. The fact that it ' s available
does not mean that it ' s. . .
As of today, okay, let ' s put it this way. . .as of
July 20, there is a balance of this session of $28,899. 76.
Now if you want me to tear this projection apart'_t&: come_ .up, with a
figure of what you can work with, then I ' ll do it. But what
I 'm trying to get across is because there is money available,
it doesn ' t mean that we have a carte blanche situation where we
can just pull on anything that happens to be handy at the
moment. That ' s what I 'm trying to say.
MR. _CADINHA: Mr. Chairman. I would like to move
that the committee be given authorization for spending $4, 500
for the purpose of highlighting the charter proposals, the
changes that we have and getting the appropriate artwork and all
the other stuff that they see fit. When their thoughts are
finalized, I would like it part of that motion that the final
product would come back here just for a quick review. If nobody
else wants to be here, I will.
At least they have perimeters set and I think
$4,500. . .Gloria, can you live with that?
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Mr. Cadinha? $4,500 for what?
I ' ll specifically put itin a motion.
MR. CADINHA: Specifically, that ' s their
financial guidelines, this committee, that they can go out and
spend.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: $4,500, specifically for what?
MR. CADINHA: As they see fit. PR campaign.
However they want to do it. For graphic illustrations, or a
supplement for delivering
a message. . .that gives them a perimeter.
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CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: Would that be for dissem-
ination of information to the public?
MR. CADINHA: Yes.
MR. ISHIDA: I ' ll second the motion.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : It has been moved and
seconded that this subcommittee be authorized $4,500 to be
used for dissemination of information to the public. Any
discussion?
MR. ISHIDA: One simple question. According to
your figures now, do we have that money? Yes or no?
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : You didn ' t hear me. I said
we had $28, 000 as of 7-20-79.
MR. ISHIDA: Yes , but most of that is appro-
priated , isn ' t it?
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : I also said that if you
wanted me to tear this whole proposal apart , I would. And
give you the balance in dollars and cents. But, I don ' t know,
I 'm just telling you what the balance is.
MR. ISHIDA: No, you' re the one who would know
more about the balance than we would. What do you think?
Do we have that money to authorize them to spend?
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: Don ' t ask me such a blunt
question. How am I going to answer that? As of this day,
this is what we have. Gloria, if you are in there first, you
have $4,500. Any further discussion? Do you know the intent
of the motion?
Ayes - Cadinha, Kobayashi , Noes - None
Iwamoto, Ishida,
Omonaka, Yagong, Absent - Sakata,
Trulson , Yanaga, Sensano
Schutte - 2
- 9
Carried.
Is there any other unfinished business?
MR. CADINHA: Discussion. Mr. Trulson, are
you still on the committee?
MR. TRULSON: I resigned, I think . Yes, I' am.
-35-
•
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE : Any further business?
Mr. Oda, Tuesday, August 7, at 3 : 30. Is that all right?
MR. ODA: Next Tuesday is one of the Tuesday' s
I can ' t be present.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: Tuesday is when you wear
the other hat. What about Wednesday?
MR. ODA: Yes, Wednesday is all right.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: Next meeting date will be
Wednesday, August 8, at 3 :00 p.m. , Hawaii County Councilroom.
There being no further business , the meeting
will adjourn.
MR. TRULSON: Mr. Chairman. Before we adjourn,
one question for counsel. The subcommittee meeting, does
that have to be in a formal meeting. . .regarding the Sunshine
Law? Any decision will come back to the commission.
MR. ODA: Meeting with the printer and working
out details, I don ' t see any need for that.
CHAIRMAN SCHUTTE: Okay. Yes, 3 :00 p.m. on
Wednesday. Not Tuesday. 3 :00 p.m. , Wednesday.
ADJOURNMENT: At 6: 20 p.m. the meeting was adjourned. Next
meeting date - Wednesday, August 8, 1979 ,
3 :00 p.m. , Hawaii County Councilroom.
/ •
/Joan Carnett
RECORDING SECRETARY
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