February

What our readers have to say

MISSED THE MARK

Your article on lobbying in the January edition of Hawaii Business may have missed the mark a bit. That turn of phrase springs to mind immediately thanks to a cover story that your magazine apparently believes is best summed up with a picture of two men at a urinal.

Obviously, as a registered lobbyist I serve my own interests in asserting that lobbying is an essential part of good government. But I think even a cursory look at the record – something that Hawaii Business unfortunately did not attempt — would have borne out my assertion and been more helpful to your readers.

For example, a few years ago, legislation was introduced to ban all child labor in Hawaii. That immediately sounds like the right thing to do, doesn't it? The only problem with that is that there are many perfectly legitimate enterprises that provide employment for children without exploiting them. Did we really want to inadvertently prohibit all children from working in all movies and on television? Did we really want to hobble the Hawaii motion picture industry in that way? Or did we simply want to end exploitative practices and put in place adequate protections?

Those are the kind of questions lobbyists ask. Exploring the ramifications of existing and potential legislation and its impact on the community, on industry and on the economy in general is what we lobbyists are paid to do. Yes, we are paid to do it by groups that are driven by self-interest. That is as obvious as the fact that lobbying, like everything else unfortunately, has had its excesses. But in advancing our clients' interests, lobbyists put diverse opinions on the table and bring expert opinion to bear, allowing legislators to make informed decisions about whether to support or fight a piece of legislation. Lobbyists also help inform and galvanize the community and prompt the public in general to weigh in on issues that will affect them.

The point is that about 3,000 pieces of legislation are introduced annually. Were it not for the efforts of lobbyists who articulate views and standards, offer multiple perspectives on issues and help legislators avoid pitfalls, we would all be worse off.

Lobbyists are necessary to the democratic process and to ensuring informed government. Hawaii has a cadre of respected professionals. We are also blessed with a large contingent of citizen lobbyists who assist in the passage of good legislation for the people of Hawaii.

Your article missed an opportunity to tell a better story about our combined efforts.

John Radcliffe
Registered Lobbyist
Honolulu, HI
Via email

DOUBLE TAKE

I had to do a double-take when I saw the cover of your January 2006 edition.

Two men standing at a urinal? And one man glancing at the other? Surely you could have made your point in a more dignified manner. What, I wonder (other than manapua) could have convinced your models to pose for such a photo? I might expect such an image from Rolling Stone (to which I subscribe), but not from Hawaii Business!

Pam Chambers
Honolulu, HI
Via email

COVER UP

You have a classy magazine...your covers should reflect that.

Robert W. Borek, Jr.
Financial Consultant
Pacific Wealth Management, LLC
Honolulu, HI
Via email

CORRECTION: In the December 2005 Black Book, the photo for Kevin A. Roberts, PR, CEO, Castle Medical Center #30 (subsidiary of Adventist Health) appeared next to the biography for Keith J. Roberts. Hawaii Business regrets this error.

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