Hawaii House Speaker Scott Saiki gave a comprehensive speech on policy and proposed several changes to promote unity, increase accountability and increase tourism for the state, a major source of revenue.
Most notably, the speaker called for watchdog agencies within the state to be consolidated so that they might operate more effectively and efficiently. Saiki also called for unity between the two parties in a time when Hawaii desperately needs competent lawmaking and leadership.
“I would like to think that this is what the public expects of us. The public wants us to rise above conflicts — and just get things done," Saiki said.
The legislation to consolidate watchdog agencies within the government came from a bill proposed by House Majority Leader Della Au Belatti. The bill would combine several agencies to form the Office of Public Accountability. The goal is to increase accountability and reduce redundancy while also saving on costs. Auditors in the Office of Public Accountability would serve eight-year terms.
“On its face, it looks like the bill is trying to create an umbrella for all of the watchdog groups. But I don’t understand functionally how that would work," Robin Matsunaga, Hawaii State Ombudsman, said.
His specific concern is rooted in the possibility that the director of the Office of Public Accountability would be able to have access to confidential information gathered by the wide net of the vast collaborative effort of the agency.
Accountability and ethics are not the only areas of the government that Saiki called for the consolidation of. He also voiced support for the combination of the Land Use Commission “in an effort to place all key decision-making and regulatory responsibility surrounding land use planning and permitting under one structure.” This proposal is sure to meet resistance.
Saiki also touched on making tourism easier for the state at a time when lack of travel due to the pandemic is utterly crippling the state's economy.
Overall, his calls for transparency, assistance and cost-cutting was met with a warm reception by other lawmakers.