November 2005

Has DCCA PEG contracting procedures violated Hawaii state procurment laws?

Has the Hawaii State Department of Consumer Affairs (DCCA) practice of engaging in noncompetitive sole source contracts with nonprofit corporations the DCCA created (`Olelo, Akaku, Ho`ike and Naleo) a violation of Hawaii state procurement laws?

The possible violation came to light when the Community Television Producers Association (CTPA) discovered that DCCA was requesting an exemption from state procurement law, but had improperly noticed the exemption (in violation of state open records law) by not posting a copy of the notice of exemption request in an area accessible to the public, at least 7 calendar days prior to any approval. CTPA suspects the violation by DCCA was an intentional and covert attempt by DCCA to obtain this exemption, while not drawing public attention to past ongoing violations of the state procurement laws. The fast-track approval by the procurement office has been rescinded but DCCA has re-noticed the exemption request. Read all about this issue by clicking the link below.

http://hpam.hi.net/RFP4PEG/

Akaku Under Siege calls for community support

Thanksgiving Update from Maui Nui, Hawai'i
Akaku Under Siege

There is a David v. Goliath rematch happening on Maui only this time it's clearly Akaku: Maui Community TV vs. Raw Power (including Maui Chamber of Commerce and State actors).

Akaku is urgently calling out for community support - see this open letter from the Board Chair for Akaku: Maui Community TV.

http://mauinews.com/story.aspx?id=14450

In that letter Akaku's Board chair Jay April notes:

"Akaku continues to be under attack from wealthy individuals in the development community who are currently financing a sophisticated and relentless covert campaign on behalf of members of our state educational establishment and their political allies to gain outright control of this valuable community resource. They continue to orchestrate a powerful shadow influence at the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and at the Legislature and have applied pressure along with First Hawaiian Bank in an effort to cripple our ability to operate."

Placing this Free Speech emergency alarm in the context of Maui's local media scene, the risk of total media clampdown reflects a clear and present danger. As Honolulu Magazine (November 2005) feature story by Ilima Loomis put it, Maui is "an island with no regular TV news coverage and where four out of five newspapers are owned by the same Mainland corporation."

Loomis' well-told story ["Crossed Signals: Pro- and anti-development factions fight - sometimes literally - for control of Maui's public-access cable station"] recounts a "brawl" with Akaku: Maui Community TV's [former] Board chair and former County official Myles Inokuma pinned by Moloka'i activist DeGray Vanderbilt on the concrete outside Akaku's Kahului offices. The feature story highlights some of the land and power players involved - from mega-developer Everett Dowling and former Maui Mayor "Kimo" Apana, to current Maui Chamber of Commerce chairman Charlie Jencks and Chamber treasurer Sharron Courter. Both Courter and Inokuma are currently being investigated by Akaku's Board through an independent committee which includes former State Rep. Sol Kaho'ohalahala among others.

Former Maui Chamber of Commerce president Lynne Woods served as Akaku's Board chair for a number of years during the time when funding to State education power-brokers was disputed. In a surprise twist earlier this year Woods presented dramatic testimony against Akaku to Hawaii's House Finance Committee, supporting the "Everett Dowling Bill" to divert most of Akaku's funding. Woods subsequently left the Maui Chamber and supports gated estate projects being developed by Dowling and Jencks.

Most telling perspective from the Honolulu story: "'It's not just a freedom of speech issue,' said local political observer Dick Mayer. 'It's a reflection of the single most controversial issue on Maui.'"

What's a concerned reader to do for Maui's free and independent media, Akaku: Maui Community TV? Remember your voice: Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.

Governor Lingle's DCCA director Mark Recktenwald regulates Time Warner and appoints the Board of Directors for Akaku - he can be reached at: 586-2850 or e: dcca@dcca.state.hi.us

Updates are available online at: Hawaii Public Access Media - http://hpam.hi.net/saveaccess/ Citizens to Save Akaku - http://saveakaku.org/