The Hawaii Supreme Court on Nov. 15, 1996, overturned a Circuit Court judge's ruling that the police union contract governing confidentiality supersedes the state law covering public records.
The University of Hawaii student chapter had appealed the ruling, and a hearing before the state Supreme Court was held in September. The original lawsuit sought the release of the names of police officers who have been disciplined.
The high court ruled that it was absurd to say contracts supercede laws governing government openness.
In an unrelated case, a federal judge alluded to the problems of keeping secret the names of disciplined officers.
Such confidentiality "creates a feeling of invincibility," U.S. District Judge David Ezra in sentencing former Pearl City police Sgt. Clyde Hayami to four years and nine months in prison for beating prisoners.
The judge went on to say that the public has a right to know when a police officer has been found guilty of misconduct after a fair hearing. "If that had been in place, this case may never have happened," Ezra said.
Corky Trinidad, Star-Bulletin cartoonist, has completed a design for T-shirts to help raise funds for the SPJ-University of Hawaii chapter's court fight. (The image has a blue background.)
The T-shirts are $10 apiece. XXL shirts are $11 each. Sizes are medium, large, extra large and double extra large. The shirts are the Hanes Beefy Ts.
Contributions are being sought to help the students meet the goal of matching $5,000 to get a grant from the SPJ Legal Defense Fund. The Star-Bulletin has contributed $500 so far, and the Hawaii Professional Chapter has put in $500. Pacific Business News has come up with $500.
That's where members can help out. If you can contribute, please send the donation to student chapter adviser Gerald Kato at the University of Hawaii-Manoa, 2550 Campus Road, Crawford 208, Honolulu, HI 96822.
To get a T-shirt, contact an SPJ director. The University of Hawaii chapter also will be selling T-shirts. Or call Stirling Morita at (808) 525-8642 (P.O. Box. 3080, Honolulu, HI 96802) after 2 p.m. Contact points will be posted in newsrooms on this homepage.
Corky Trinidad, Star-Bulletin artist, talked about how special interests have polarized American society, making it tough for editorial cartoonists and the news media. His talk, "We Laugh Because We Mustn't Cry . . . ," was given Jan. 13, 1996, at the annual installation dinner at Hee Hing restaurant.
Christopher "Kit" Smith, Honolulu Advertiser former financial writer, was honored for his contributions to the chapter. A lifetime member who was never billed for local due by the national chapter, Kit gave the Hawaii Professional Chapter a check for $200.
Kit gave the oath of office to new chapter officers.
Tom Kaser of the Honolulu Advertiser gave a moving tribute to Kit. And the chapter gave him a caricature drawn by Corky Trinidad and a plaque for his years of dedicated service.