Honolulu Star-Bulletin from Honolulu, Hawaii • 2

A 2 Honolulu Star-Bulletin TueKkjy, July 4, 1978 ETJ Lok Stfnir on If By June Wotanabe Associated Press Writer 'Hawaii launches the first state Constitutional Convention in the nation since California's passage of Proposition 13 but there's no indication any major tax rebellion is brewing. However, the Chamber of Com constitutional provisions for initia-tive and referendum, recall of elected officials, merit selections of judges, and setting of limits on government taxation and spending. Also favored were -constitutional provisions to ban public employee strikes, restoration of the open or blanket primary, a unicameral legislature and re-enactment of the death penalty for certain crimes. But, whether the 102 delegates to the Constitutional Convention decide to recommend such sweeping changes to the state's No. 1 legal document appears doubtful.

THE MAJORITY of delegates, many of them supported by two powerful labor unions in a May election marked by a record low voter turnout, seems in favor of tampering as little as possible with the document. A group of disgruntled delegates calling themselves "independents" say there is little hope for "far reaching" issues such as initiative, referendum and recall to go anywhere because the controlling faction at the convention wants to maintain the status quo. However, William Paty, the convention's temporary chairman, says it is too premature to predict what the outcome of a review of the constitution will be. For this year's convention, the state Legislature has appropriated $2.5 million. The money will cover delegate salaries of $1,000 a month and per diem expenses of $20.

in addition to staff aides for as long as the funds last. Thus, although the delegates are given no time limit on their work, it is expected that the constitutional review will be wrapped up well before the November elections, when suggested changes, if any. would be placed before the voters. state spending limit. "With Con Con opening this week, we have a timely and appropriate opportunity to write into the constitution some mechanism for slowing down the spending and taxing burden on our people," Nakatsuka wrote in the "Voice of Business," a chamber publication.

"As to what mechanism would be best suited for Hawaii, our chamber has chosen the 'Tennessee Earlier this year, Tennessee adopted a constitutional amendment that restricts spending to the estimated rate of growth of the state's economy as determined by law," Nakatsuka said. "Experts in this important field believe the Tennessee Plan would work best for Hawaii. We commend it to Con Con delegates," he said. THE LEGISLATURE can call for a constitutional review at will in Ha- waii. The question then goes on the ballot in the next election.

If the voters say they want a constitutional convention, the next Legislature sets the date and appropriates money to pay for it. Some politicians, including Mayor Frank F. Fasi a Democratic gubernatorial candidate this year think Proposition 13 is significant in Hawaii primarily because it will force public officials to scrutinize spending of taxpayers' dollars. But. even more than that, it pears that Proposition 13 has reinforced a growing notion among Hawaii residents of the need to gain the public power of initiative and referendum, and thus, keep all phases of government not only spending and taxation in check.

IN A RECENT newspaper survey, the top issues which concerned respondents were the need to enact very heavily, although its proceeds are the major source of revenue for the state's four county local governments. But major governmental costs, including the single district statewide school system, are supported by a combination of state income and excise taxes which account for 80 percent of all state and local revenues. Despite the low property tax levels, Hawaii residents' total tax bills are the sixth highest in the nation. One of the reasons for the lack of a groundswell for a Proposition 13 approach in Hawaii is that the state Constitution insures a complete public review of itself at least once every 10 years. LAWRENCE K.

Nakatsuka. director of the government affairs department of the Chamber of Commerce, thinks this is the year to consider a merce of Hawaii has called for a constitutional limitation on state spending, similar to one adopted in Tennessee recently. There is some support for putting initiative and referendum provisions into the state's basic document. The Jarvis-Gann amendment proposal went on ballot via that route in California. Hawaii's Constitution now does not provide for such a grassroots approach.

HAWAII. UNLIKE most states, does not rely on the property tax Chants and Music Will Mark the Opening of Con Con By Douglas Botyell Star-Bulletin Hi ter the Con Con. A majority faction of some 60 delegates will control the mechanics of the convention and hold dominant positions on the convention's 16 committees. But spokesmen for the majority say there is a broad diversity of Related Stories on A-14, A-15 In an atmosphere of Hawaiian chants and music, the 1. 8 Constitute tional Convention will open at 9:30 'J a m.

tomorrow in the old federal building across King Street from the palace where Hawaiian monarchs 'once ruled. 1 Delegate Floyd W. Pulham, elect- ed from the First District with the highest number of votes and a resi- dent of Naalehu in the Ka'u district, ViH bring the convention to order for sessions expected to continue for 12 Jlweeks. After the opening gavel will come rthe call of the conch shell and a wel-Sfcome chant by Kumuhula Edith Kanakaole of Hilo and the singing of 'Hawaii Pono'i, led by Martha Hohu. expected to be elected president, even though a minority faction is expected to nominate Walter K.

Cabral of Windward Oahu to oppose him. The delegates also are expected to elect Haunani G. Ching as secretary and Craig Nakamura as assistant secretary. Gov. George R.

Ariyoshi is scheduled to welcome the delegates and address the convention. MORE THAN 100 proposals, mostly drawn by individual delegates, are expected to be introduced starting Thursday and some observers have said more than 1.000 proposals ranging over nearly all of the articles of the constitution will be introduced in the next few weeks. The delegates, who range in age from 20 to 68, represent a broad cross-section of the Island population, with the bulk in their 30s and 40s. There are 30 women and 72 men in Robert S. Taira and Donald H.

Ching. senators from the 5th and 4th senatorial districts in Honolulu and majority floor leader and majority leader of the Senate Democratic bloc in the Senate. Ching and Taira have played leading roles in the organization of the majority faction In the convention. Their efforts to put together a controlling faction, with Paty as president, have been backed by government employee unions representing upwards of 40.000 union members and their families. THE UNIONS include the Hawaii State Teachers Association, the Hawaii Government Employees Association, the United Public Workers Union and others.

Although Paty, if elected president, will preside over most of the convention's plenary sessions, he will vacate the chair when the convention resolves itself into the com mittee of the whole, where much of the debate over issues is likely to take place. Committee of the whole sessions will be chaired on a rotating basis by the eight-vice presidents chosen among delegates from the eight senatorial districts. The vice presidents are Bruce McCall from the Big Island. Paul Di-Bianco from Windward Oahu. Ching from the 4th District.

Larry Uyehara from the 5th Jean Goode-now. from the 6th District. Les Ihara from the 7th District and James Shinno from Kauai's 8th district. The Maui delegation has not yet chosen a vice president. Correction William Paty, temporary chairman of the Constitutional Convention, is a lifetime resident of Hawaii.

The Star-Bulletin erroneously reported yesterday that Paty has lived in Hawaii only 37 years. Kekauoha, Hawaiiana teacher at Laupahoehoe School on the Big Island, who will announce a program by the Punahou Dancers. The Oli Pele a tribute to Hawaii's beginnings will follow with a hula kahiko for Pele, the goddess of volcanoes. The dancers then will perform a tribute hula to former Queen Liliu-okalani, last reigning monarch of the kingdom, and a hookupu, a tribute to the state of Hawaii. The eight vice presidents of the convention then will bring Island flowers to the forefront for deposit in a calabash.

CHIEF JUSTICE William S. Richardson will deliver the oath of office to the 102 delegates, followed by the nominations for president and secretary of the convention and adoption of convention rules. William W. Paty temporary chairman for the past few weeks, is views on convention issues among the controlling group. IN STARK CONTRAST to the 1968 convention, only two state legislators are listed among the 102 delegates who will be seated formally tomorrow.

Nearly half of the 82 delegates elected in 1968 were members of the Legislature. Those who ran this year include J7 THE REV. DAVID Kaupu of Kamehameha Schools will deliver Uhe invocation, after which the program will be turned over to Margery 7 Con Con Delegates: Districts 1 5-2 'A: A Nnr rl fc- William Pity Dist. 22A ST. sugar eo.

pre. Con Cod chairman 1 FT? IT I I TT fVJ 1VJ pjF 1 fissA-V 1C'J pz -X I zip. JLjf V- Anthony Chang am Dist. 15A 33. planner Honolulu Lifetime resident Laura M.

Ching Dist. ISA 23, teacher San Francisco, Calif. Residency: 18 years EfviF feN iV 1 viz Peter C. Lewi Dist. ISA 44.

businessman Cleveland. Ohio lifetime resident Alice T. Tikehira Dist. 18A 49, school vice prin. Honolulu Lifetime resident Patricia Pang Nozaki Dist 21 A.

35. teacher Honolulu Lifetime resident Paul E. Dibiance Dist. 24B 32. attorney New York City.

N.Y. Residency: 13 years 'i' ft Robert S. Taira Dist. 15B S3, State Senator Kekaha, Kauai Lifetime resident Emilio S. Alcon Dist.

I8B 52. college instr. Lahaina. Maui Lifetime resident Calvkt W. Onui Dist.21B S3, home specialist Honolulu Residency: 41 years Mtrion Lee Dist.

17B 29. btnk mgr. Honolulu Lifetime resident Helvin Y. Nishimoto Dist.20B 35. attorney Honolulu Lifetime resident Richard Y.

Sasaki Dist. 24B 34, program supervisor Honolulu Lifetimt resident lir.la .4 I 14 If John D. Waihee III Dist. 17B 32. attorney Honokaa, Hawti Lifetima resident Wsyne T.

Takahashi Dist. 20B 27, personal banker Waipahu, Oahu Lifetime resident ft Kayo R. Chung Dist. 24A 81. retired Puunene.

Maui Lifetime resident a Warner Sutton Dist. 15B 25. consultant Honolulu Lifetime resident Richard I. Fujimoto Dist. 18B 44, consultant Honolulu Lifetime resident Michael L.

Crazier Dist. 21 35, trucking Honolulu Lifetime resident Leslee G. Hornick Dist.25B 24, L'H adm. asst. Ventura.

Calif Residency: years 6. Franklin 1. Hayashida Dist. 16B 35, attorney Honolulu Lifetime resident Donna Odanaka Dist. 19B 20.

L'H student Pearl City. Oahu Lifetime resident Jacqueline T. Chong Dist 23 45, store owner Hilo Lifetime resident Lehua F. SaUing Dial. 27A 28, attorney Lihue, Kauai Lifetime resident 1.

1. mm "H' 1 1 1 Kay K. Kaito Dist. ISA 48, homemaker Wiipahu. Oihu Lifetime resident Adelaid De Soto Dist.

21A 19, comm. rel. specialist Honolulu Lifetime resident tit- Atura Salami Dist.l6B 59, banker Hilo. Hawaii Lifetime resident Clarice Y. Hashimoto Dist.

19B 24, social worker Pearl City. Oahu Lifetime resident Rachel K.Lee Dist.22B 62, retired Kohala. Hawaii Lifetime resident John R. Penebacker Dist 26 32. educational spec.

Cincinnati, Ohio Residency: 13 years Dennis Ihara Dist. ISA 33, attorney Honolulu Lifetime resident Elayne M. Funakoshi Dist. 19A 44. secretary Waipahu, Oahu Residency: 27 year Aldra Hino Dist.

22B 47, law student Wahiawa. Oahu Lifetime resident Donald W. Eastvold Jr. Dist. 26 25.

L'H student Tacoma, Wash. Residency: 3 years Naomi S. Campbell Dist. 17A 52. attorney Newark.

N.J. Residency: 18 year Gerald T. Hagino Dist. 20A 28, refinery worker Puunene, Maui Lifetime resident Charlene R. Hoe Dist.

23 31, art teacher Huron. S. Dak, Residency: 8 years Jeremy Harris Disl.27A 27, biologist Wilmington, Del. Residency: 9 years Larry S. Uyehara Dist.

17A 48, counselor Honolulu Residency: 34 years Ginger K. Wurdeman Dist. 20A 36, employment spec. Honolulu Lifetime resident Dona L. Hanaike Dist.

24A 23. law student Eugene, Ore. Residency: 22 years Yoshlo Kojlma Dist. 27B 51, school principal Kauai Lifetime resident Donald D.H. Ching Dist.

19A 52, State Senator Honolulu Lifetime resident Famika Anae Dist.22A 46, teacher Laie. Oahu Lifetime resident Robert F. Ellis Dist. 25B 67, retired New York City, N.Y. Residency: 37 years I1 MnimMWPsiipwnMii aww.

I iwg ng mmmmm'mmmmmmmmm I if i it IS'- If Vfti i WJ i-. i 1 mn "4 I i i 'ir itdi.i I tani tiiimbih I ti 1 1 i I Masu K. Dyer fc Dist.25A AA kn n. rr. If Frank De Costa Dist.

I7B 50, mechanic -Kekaha. Kauai Lifetime resident James Dist. 27C 52, engineer Lihue. Kauai Lifetime resident Hartwell K. Blake Dist.

27C 61. retired Koloa. Hawaii Lifetime resident Walter K. Cabral Dist. 25A 45, businessman Honolulu Lifetime resident f) 4 Tokyo.

Japan Residency: 24 year "0.