May 2006 | Online Edition
'Broken Trust' Documents a
Key Part of Hawaii's History and Culture
By Ted H.S. Hong
There is an unwritten list of requirements before someone can claim to be from Hawaii. Generally, that list includes speaking pidgin without someone’s hair standing on end; having at least two pairs of “Rubbah Slippahs” for formal and informal occasions; and singing Hawaii Ponoi and Hawaii Aloha from memory. That list should now include the compulsory reading of the recently published book Broken Trust. This book is a milestone in our state’s history.
Broken Trust is a succinct, clear and compelling statement about our recent history, our present and future. Judge Samuel P. King and University of Hawaii Law Professor Randall W. Roth connected the dots, which were only rumors and speculation whispered in hallways, into cell phones and at private parties around the state.
The authors paint a picture of incredible greed, corruption and abuse of power by an incestuous elite. The authors detail how people at the highest levels of government, unions and private sector, conspired to line their own pockets. The authors even point out how we, as Hawaii citizens, have been beaten down by this corrupt system for so long, that we simply accept it as a fact of life.
What is striking about this book is the contrast between the courage and integrity of some people and the unabashed greed, almost a sense of entitlement, exhibited by others. In addition to the original authors of the published Broken Trust essay, former Honolulu Star-Bulletin editors Diane Chang and David Shapiro have to be recognized for taking that doozy of a first step to publish the essay.
Due recognition is given to the students, parents, teachers, alumni and staff of Kamehameha Schools and deputy attorney generals for their courage and perseverance in facing down such overwhelming adversity. Many others are also rightfully credited for choosing to do the “right thing” instead of turning a blind eye. If you’re looking for dirt on some of the villains in the book, the facts as written are much more devastating than I could hope to write here.
Finishing the book reminded me of the scene in the prophetic movie Network, where ordinary citizens threw open their windows and yelled “I’m mad as Hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!”
The more people in Hawaii that read this book, the more I expect to see standing at the screen door yelling out “Nuff Already!” That should be our theme as we are asked to reelect many of the Legislators who were and are part of this corrupt political machine. Broken Trust details how this powerful political machine broke faith not only with the beneficiaries of Princess Pauahi’s will, but as political leaders, they broke faith with all of us.
As a citizen and lifelong student of politics in Hawaii, I want to thank Judge King and Prof. Roth for their great gift of truth. Let us hope their gift is not wasted or forgotten.
Note: In response to an editorial I submitted about the “Culture of Fear” and the systemic corruption in today’s Democratic Party, the current Party Chairman, Mr. Galuteria countered that the Party was not at fault, it was individuals within the Party. Reading Broken Trust shows how wrong Mr. Galuteria was and is indicative of how the Party and its leaders think we as voters can be fooled all of the time. See, Broken Trust at page 202.
Ted H. S. Hong, a resident of Hilo, HI, was the former state chief negotiator under Gov. Linda Lingle and a member of the University Board of Regents. He can be reached via email at: mailto:THSHong@msn.com
“Broken Trust” is available through local retailers, Amazon.com and at the University of Hawaii Press. More information is also available at the BrokenTrust book website: http://www.brokentrustbook.com
SEE ALSO: SBH BOOKS & PUBLICATIONS
|
