Furlough Days Won’t Keep Reporters Off the Job
The doors of Honolulu Hale won’t be barred to reporters on furlough days anymore, the mayor’s spokesman told Civil Beat Tuesday.
Jim Fulton said he is working with security to find a way to allow reporters into the building on Furlough Fridays. The move comes after Civil Beat was asked to leave while the mayor and other Cabinet members held meetings on Dec. 17.
“We certainly don’t want to keep you out,” Fulton said. “I may have to issue a memo. I don’t think we’ll have to go so far as to issuing credentials, but we’ll have to have you signed in. There are just some security things to work out.”
On Dec. 17, security supervisor Garrett Ogawa told Civil Beat members of the public aren’t allowed into Honolulu Hale on furlough days unless there are public meetings, or unless an individual has clearance from someone like the mayor or City Council Chairman Nestor Garcia. Ogawa asked this reporter to leave the building. The story gained national prominence on the frequented by people interested in media issues.
There are 12 furlough days left this fiscal year, and Mayor Peter Carlisle has promised the budget he introduces in March will not include furlough days. The next furlough day is Friday, Jan. 14.
