Kulani

The recent announcement of the closing of Kulani Correctional Facility should serve as an example of how the governor has handled negotiations with the public unions. Layoff notices without talking to people, no discussions with the Hawaii mayor and information given to the news media before the people involved.
The budget and public union negotiations are two separate issues. The governor has used her public relations staff to fool the people into believing this is the same problem. The budget shortfall is not a consequence of public worker salaries. It is the result of the global economic situation. What the governor has chosen to do is instead of addressing the economic situation she is using the situation to attack public workers and unions.
Instead of putting forth a position that the people that we will survive this economic downturn. Instead of putting forth a plan to stimulate the economy. Instead of assuring the people that needed services will continue to be provided. She has chosen to use fear and threats to public worker unions to further her image and divert attention away from the lack of a plan to address the economy.


Egan Kawamoto
Ewa Beach
808-292-4986