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MR. NAGASAKO: One reason is simply that that is <br /> the established practice. Whether it is the state representa- <br /> tives or our congressmen , it ' s two-year terms. As I mentioned , <br /> one of the reasons. . . let ' s give us , ourselves , and the voters <br /> the opportunity to evaluate the performance of our elected <br /> officials as often as possible. I believe if it is running <br /> within a district, if it is a state representative district, or <br /> take our congressman from the 2nd representative district, every <br /> two years he has to run just about throughout the state. <br /> MR. ISHIDA: I somewhat agree with you but it <br /> seems to me that if that is the case, it would be more consistent <br /> that everybody should run every two years. I 'm just trying to <br /> reconcile your distinction to my mind. <br /> MR. NAGASAKO: Of course, in the state legislature <br /> our three senators serve for four-year terms . I know it is a <br /> bicameral legislature and they are members of the upper house, <br /> yet I would guess that the main reason is--well , one reason is , <br /> that they are running at-large throughout the island. <br /> MR. ISHIDA: How about accountability? As far as <br /> these four at-large individuals that are running for the four- <br /> year terms? Do you feel that they would be as accountable as <br /> those running for the two years? <br /> MR. NAGASAKO: In terms of accountability, in terms <br /> of performance, my expectation would be the same. Whether they <br /> come from a council district elected for two-year terms or whether <br /> they are running at-large and serving four-year terms. My expec- <br /> tation of each one of them would be the same. Of course, my point <br /> is that we would want to have each one of the nine council members <br /> to be serving the people of Hawaii County and not one particular <br /> district. For example, I believe there is one district on this <br /> island which is unique and that is the District of Kona. What is <br /> unique about the District of Kona compared to the other districts? <br /> It is the only district which produces commercial coffee. But the <br /> question I am raising is even if four or five, the majority of the <br /> councilmen came from Kona, in terms of strengthening the welfare <br /> of the Kona farmers and industry, how much can they do? It ' s <br /> what happens in the fields in Latin American and Brazil that <br /> affects the Kona coffee industry. The problems you and I face, <br /> we face, are so complex and wide and national and international in <br /> scope that we have to start thinking in terms of big broad terms. <br /> In other words , certainly an island wide perspective if not state <br /> wide. <br /> MRS. IWAMOTO: Mr. Nagasako, I would like to find <br /> out if you have any suggestions as to the number of terms that the <br /> councilmen should serve? <br /> MR. NAGASAKO: Yes, that is a question that;; was <br /> raised with our state legislators also. Even our national congres- <br /> sional members. If I had to vote one way or the other, I would <br /> have to further study what the advantages and disadvantages are. <br /> Right now I would say that the difference is the human element. <br /> Who has been serving us or who is serving us . I 'm sorry, I can ' t <br /> say one way or the other. Human variables are very difficult. <br /> -8- <br />