Common purposes

The Molokai Times
Wednesday, August 27, 2008

By Sen. J. Kalani English

One of the benefits of writing this weekly column is the opportunity it provides to communicate with our community. I don't just mean that it gives me a chance to tell you what I think. It also gives you a chance to tell me what you think.

A few days ago, The Molokai Times ran an "open letter" from Uncle Likeke in Kaunakakai. He thanked me for my concern over the Molokai water situation, and encouraged my senate colleagues and me to take certain protective and remedial measures to resolve the situation. As I said, I was glad to receive his comments.

Still, as concerned as I am over Molokai Ranch's decision to stop providing water to Molokai residents, and as disappointed as I am in Governor Linda Lingle's opting to drop the entire situation into Maui County's lap, I still hope that we will be able to resolve the issue through cooperation, rather than legislation.

An early lesson for many new legislators is that while we do have the legal authority to impose solutions in a variety of circumstances, it is a power to be exercised with restraint. Even given our process of public hearings, our practice of listening to any constituent with an opinion to express, and the level of self-satisfaction that often accompanies decreeing a solution to a sticky issue, the fact is that a resolution that comes as the result of the parties working together, discussing the options and coming to a fair agreement is often more satisfactory to all concerned.

This assumes, of course, that the parties are willing to come to the table, listen, and compromise. In my opinion, this is where the governor's office and Molokai Ranch have fallen short in this case. It seems that they assume that no one has the power or authority to hold their feet to the fire, and so they have come up with the approach most satisfactory to them, and left Maui County holding the bag.

However, I think we still have an opportunity to come to an agreement that will satisfy everyone involved, including Molokai Ranch, the Lingle Administration, and the people of Molokai. We still have time to sit down and work out the details, find an equitable distribution of costs and benefits, and ensure that those who are least culpable here — the people who rely on the water systems in question — do not pay an unfair price for basic necessities of life.

It has been said that the best battle is the one that is never fought. That works because each side knows that the other is willing to fight. My belief that we can come to a fair, negotiated solution arises from my commitment to serve the people of Molokai, my willingness to do what is necessary to ensure that their rights are not trampled by those with more leverage, and my confidence that my colleagues in the legislature share my values.

So, to Uncle Likeke in Kaunakakai, my message is that we should put a little more effort into finding a compromise before we give up. There's still time for the other side to realize what's at stake.

Original article URL: http://www.molokaitimes.com/articles/8827123030.asp

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