I have always supported the discussion of a unicameral Legislature, nonpartisan state elections and a full-time Legislature.
My first initiative when elected to the Legislature in 2000 by Maui voters was to introduce these ideas for discussion. I was quickly dismissed by my own caucus leadership as naive, just a freshman legislator with unrealistic ideas.
Would I love to see these among other notable ideas addressed at a Constitutional Convention? You bet, but not at the expense of opening Pandora's box and tinkering with the single most significant document providing rights and protections to the people of Hawaii (Editorial, Oct. 21).
Although the idea of a Con Con appears as a desirable option to many dissatisfied voters and legislators - and candidates who have had unsuccessful bids for elected office - the fact of the matter is that it does nothing that the voters cannot already accomplish through political awareness, political education, political pressure and political action.
The problem is not the political process itself or the constitution, but the complacency of the electorate. Recent and past voter turnout results prove my point. All the desired results proponents seek from a Con Con can be accomplished through voter participation.
Once you open the Hawaii Constitution for debate, you automatically accept "the good, the bad and the ugly." A Con Con is nothing more than initiative and referendum in disguise, which always has been a dangerous and slippery slope, especially when the majority of our electorate is influenced by media, hype, rhetoric and emotion and often does not have the resources or time to review the many facts and variables surrounding an issue.
I have always maintained initiative and referendum are nothing more than an abrogation of the responsibilities entrusted to an elected official by those he/she serves. In other words, it's a convenient way to opt out, cop out or kanalua on difficult issues and votes. More importantly, initiatives and referendums run in direct contradiction to the fundamental principles established in the form of government under which these United States were founded - a republic or representative democracy.
Issues such as reform and decentralization are issues that have been and are currently being discussed in the Legislature. Neighborhood Boards and Community Associations are excellent examples and methods of a bottom-up approach to citizen-involved governance.
Get involved in these organizations, learn more about your candidates and elected officials - more than just who sends out the most mailers or who sign-waves the longest. Demand candidate forums and candidate debates in your community. Learn your candidate's position on issues important to you and their level of knowledge on those matters. Hold current elected officials responsible every election cycle. Don't give up on our system; break the complacency. The power of the people lies in their willingness to exercise that power.
* Kika G. Bukoski served as the 12th District House (Upcountry) representative in the Legislature from 2000 to 2004. He is a government and community relations consultant.
