Off The Beat: Sunshine Too Bright at City Hall?
Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle took a shot at the state’s open government laws during a press conference Monday afternoon. He and City Council Chairman Breene Harimoto were in the mayor’s office to announce appointees and nominees to the new transit authority.
As he prepared to introduce Harimoto, the mayor lamented that more council members couldn’t be present.
“I’m sorry that we can’t have any other members of the council here,” Carlisle said. “They’re certainly a part of this process, but we would be violating the ever-brilliant Sunshine Laws. If they were just here listening to us, that would be unfair, which is one of the reasons why the Sunshine Law is basically flawed in some regards.”
Actually, if the mayor had wanted the council to be present, he could have made his announcement at a meeting of the council. Not only would all council members have been present to hear it, but the public would have had access, too. Because council meeting are broadcast on Olelo.
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