Candidate Patricia Saiki Interview in 1994
Price of Paradise · Hawaii Public Radio · aired 1994-04-22
Guests: Pat Saiki (1994 Republican candidate for governor; former U.S. Representative)
Duration: 1:08:07

[0:00:00] Randall Roth: Saturday mornings at 9:00 on this station, and then again Sunday mornings at 8:00 on KHPR 88.1 and KKUA 90.7. Hawaii Public Radio recently installed equipment that allows listeners to call in their questions and comments. It's easy to participate. All you have to do is call. The number is 955-8821. We ask that you give our producer your first name and the part of the state you're calling from. Again, the number is 955-8821 and neighbor islanders are invited to call collect. With me today in the studio is gubernatorial candidate Pat Saiki. Mrs. Saiki has a long resume, and we're anxious to take your calls, so I'll just summarize its contents. She was a school teacher from 1956

[0:00:00] Randall Roth: to 1968, served in the Hawaii State Legislature from 1968 to 1983, represented Hawaii in the US Congress from 1987 to 1991, headed the United States Small Business Administration from 1991 to 1993, was a teaching fellow at Harvard in 1993, and presently is running for governor here in Hawaii.

[0:01:08] Pat Saiki: Pat, welcome to the Price of Paradise Radio Show. Thank you very much.

[0:01:11] Randall Roth: And it is okay if I call you Pat, rather than Mrs. Saiki?

[0:01:13] Pat Saiki: Oh, please do, please do. That's great.

[0:01:15] Randall Roth: Um, one of our goals today is to get to as many questions as we possibly can, so I would ask you to try to keep your responses as as short as possible. Uh, another candidate for governor, Ben Cayetano, will be our guest at this same time, one week from today, and so we'll be getting a a couple of different, uh, perspectives on these questions. Before we take any calls from, um, from the listeners, I've got some questions that were submitted ahead of time. First of all, from Thomas in Honolulu, he says, what, if anything, would you be doing about the current government worker strike if you were governor?

[0:01:49] Pat Saiki: Well, thank you, Randy, and before I begin with the questions, let me commend you and congratulate you on your two volumes of Price of Paradise. I must say that those who have contributed to your two editions have been very thoughtful. I find it very helpful because you're providing us a broad insight into the problems that we have in our state. So I'm glad you're following it up with these radio shows.

[0:02:13] Randall Roth: Well, thank you, and I might add, you're doing a great job so far on this show.

[0:02:16] Pat Saiki: Thank you.

[0:02:18] Randall Roth: What would you be doing about the government worker strike?

[0:02:20] Pat Saiki: Let's go back to the government worker strike. Uh, it is my, uh, impression that this whole strike is what's quite unnecessary. Basically, units 3 and 4 are representing the workers at the lower end of the pay scale, and a 2% increase for these people would be hardly anything compared to 2% for those who earn 50, 60, $70,000. And I think that they have just about had it, uh, in so far as negotiations are concerned. Actually, though, you know, they were on this pay scale since June of 1993, and their contract was merely extended all the way up to now. I don't blame them for being very impatient. I do hold the administration responsible for not

[0:02:20] Pat Saiki: having more sincerely negotiated a fair, a contract prior to what we have now, a confrontation. And you and I know that we're going to settle this. Uh, the government always says we don't have money, but it's amazing, isn't it, how we suddenly can find money? I mean, when we need to, uh, renovate the state capital, it's going to cost more than 45,000 45 million, I should say, goes up to 65 million, we find the money. If we need to, uh, if they want to, I should say, build a sports arena at the university at 35 million, they find the money. So these people who are on strike, I think, are doing this, uh, sincerely, they

[0:02:20] Pat Saiki: feel strongly about it. But they've had to make some sacrifices because they're going without pay. And then of course, all the rest of the citizens in the state that have to, uh, bear with inconveniences while the strike is on, I think, is, uh, causing, uh, quite, may, maybe some hard feelings involved here. And to me, it's totally unnecessary. It should have been negotiated a long time ago. I think it's almost irresponsible for for it to let for for it to get this far. And I'm sure that, uh, with the federal mediator now involved, it will be settled in a few days. But what we have all gone through, I think, was totally unnecessary.

[0:04:29] Randall Roth: Okay. We have a caller, Kathy from Kailua. You're on the air.

[0:04:34] Caller (Kathy): Kathy, are you there? Yes, I'm here. Do you have a question for Mrs. Saiki? Yes. Um, I heard on the Parion Price show that that you might be running for US Senate. Is this true?

[0:04:45] Pat Saiki: Oh Kathy, I'm glad you asked that question because it is not true, not at all. Uh, while last, let me put it this way, early last year, I uh, was asked by a whole group of supporters to consider the the governor's race. At that point, I had to determine if I were going to run for office at all, which office I would seek. Looking at the state of our state, watching it deteriorate, uh, watching the recession affecting our citizens so hard, uh, looking at the cronyism, the favoritism, the manipulation in state government, I felt very strongly that I should offer myself as a gubernatorial candidate. Once I made that determination, I will not turn back.

[0:04:45] Pat Saiki: I have committed to this race, and you can count on having my name on the ballot in November.

[0:05:37] Randall Roth: Thank you, Kathy. We have another call, uh, Ian on line one. You're on the air.

[0:05:43] Caller (Ian): Hi, Mrs. Saiki.

[0:05:44] Pat Saiki: Hi.

[0:05:45] Caller (Ian): Hi, uh, I have I'm concerned about the uh, proliferation of the number of state government workers, and it seems to me that when you look at the statistics, the growth in government workers is far outpacing the growth of our economy, or the growth of any other segment, and I was wondering what your feeling is on capping the number of state government workers, and, uh, this is kind of related to the strike that's going on right now.

[0:06:09] Pat Saiki: Mhm. I think you make a good point, because I don't think there is anyone in this state that, uh, doesn't agree with the fact that our state government has outpaced all of us and all of our expectations. I mean, after all, we have seen it grow from about 35,000 workers in 1970, uh, now up to 62,000. The Department of Labor gives me information that we do cut checks for about 62,000 people. Now, may they may not all be full-time workers, but nevertheless, they're part of the workforce.

[0:06:42] Randall Roth: Right.

[0:06:43] Pat Saiki: I feel strongly that we have to look at a uh, way of downsizing that government, but not necessarily have a Saturday night massacre. You know, in other words, fire everybody. I mean, that would be I think, too harsh. But we could use attrition. My numbers tell me that anywhere from 10 to 15% attrition is what we see annually. If we were to use that attrition, uh, and put a limited freeze on new hires, I think we can bring government down to a manageable size within a few years. But I agree with you totally, that we cannot afford to maintain the workforce we have now in its size, I must say. And and I have information

[0:06:43] Pat Saiki: that says that, uh, a full-time worker, on the average or the median, it costs about $40,000. So all you have to do is multiply, and you know, that the taxpayer burden is going to be tremendous if we keep the government at its current size.

[0:07:41] Randall Roth: Great. Well, that's a great answer. I wish you all the best luck in the uh, campaign.

[0:07:45] Pat Saiki: Thank you.

[0:07:46] Randall Roth: Bye-bye. Thank you, Ian. Uh, we have a question that was submitted ahead of time from Stephen in Waianae. He says, our schools in the Waianae area are in a downward spiral as far as standardized testing can show. What do you propose specifically to overcome this problem?

[0:08:03] Pat Saiki: The state of education is a sad one, I think. Uh, we we have a lot of outstanding teachers, principals, we have people who are dedicated. But basically, we have to return the governance or the responsibility for education down to the school level. Now, out in Waianae, we we must include and involve parents. Parents, teachers, and students could, I think, make a better determination of the direction of of the schools in that area. We have to use, uh, budgeting that gives autonomy and authority at the school level. In other words, the only way to improve the school system is for us to become personally involved with it. Now, overall, as governor, I would take care of

[0:08:03] Pat Saiki: the immediate problems we have as soon as possible. We're short 800 classrooms. We've got, uh, 200 million already in the pipeline that hasn't been released through the governor's department of accounting and general services. We're having teachers having to double up on their classes, the environment is is very, uh, shall we say, non-inductive to learning. Those are the immediate problems we have to take care of. Then we have to look at getting the money down to the school level and taking a good look at the size of the bureaucracy that we have, uh, in the department of education, uh, in total. And I I guess I could get go even further and talk in terms of

[0:08:03] Pat Saiki: accountability, but that's a whole different subject.

[0:09:40] Randall Roth: One question that was submitted by probably 10 different people in different variations, was whether or not you would work to get the principals out of a union.

[0:09:50] Pat Saiki: I think the principals recognize that, uh, their role here as members of a union, uh, representing middle management against management, is not necessarily a healthy one. I think accommodations can be made where the seniority concern that they may have can be addressed. Uh, whether we can really get them out of a union, per se, I'm not sure because it is, uh, legally allowed, and so it would be their preference.

[0:10:19] Randall Roth: Would you work to get them out of the union?

[0:10:21] Pat Saiki: I would work to work with the principals. Let's put it that way. Whether they're in a union or not. If I can't, uh, convince them that unionization is not necessarily healthy for the educational, uh, future of our state, then I would want to work with them as they are, but make them part of a team and not necessarily allow one group within the department to be an impediment to the growth that is necessary here in educational standards.

[0:10:49] Randall Roth: Okay. We have another caller, Shell from Moiliili. You're on the air.

[0:10:53] Caller (Shell): Hi, hello, Mrs. Saiki. How are you today?

[0:10:56] Pat Saiki: I'm fine, thank you.

[0:10:57] Caller (Shell): I I personally was really disappointed when you didn't get the the HSTA endorsement, and Ben Cayetano did. I I guess I was a little confused about the process that was used and and uh, uh, all the and I guess also I'm confused about the questions about testing and alternative testing. What is your position on the SAT testing?

[0:11:18] Pat Saiki: Uh, first of all, let me uh, express my appreciation for your disappointment that I didn't get the HSTA endorsement. Uh, I thought I had, uh, earned it, and I deserved it, and I think I could do a lot, uh, for education. I still can, of course. Uh, when we get into the SAT, uh, testing procedure, I think it's very important for our children to participate in testing. Uh, whether it's locally produced tests or whether it's national tests, I think they should be able to measure themselves against their classmates and measure themselves against the rest of the nation, the students in the rest of the nation. I endorse using the SAT as a guideline. I think

[0:11:18] Pat Saiki: you know that, uh, my opponent Mr. Cayetano has indicated that he would rather skip SAT tests up until grade 10, uh, because so many of our students fail, and it's more important for them to have self-esteem.

[0:12:18] Caller (Shell): So are you are you talking about the Stanford or the scholastic aptitude?

[0:12:22] Pat Saiki: I'm talking about the Stanford.

[0:12:25] Caller (Shell): Okay. Achievement testing. I guess that's what's confusing to me, the difference between those two tests.

[0:12:29] Pat Saiki: Yeah. Well, anyway, as I was saying, I I think that, uh, our children have to gain self-esteem through success, not be rewarded through failure. So I would say testing is a very important tool. It's not the only thing, but it is an important tool.

[0:12:49] Randall Roth: Thank you, Shell.

[0:12:50] Caller (Shell): Thank you.

[0:12:51] Randall Roth: In case you just joined us, you're listening to a special Price of Paradise radio show. I'm Randy Roth, and my guest is gubernatorial candidate Pat Saiki. Your calls are welcome. The number is 955-8821. That's 955-8821. We have Bill from Waianae. Bill, you're on the air.

[0:13:09] Caller (Bill): Okay, thanks. Uh, Pat, I just like to say that I've been a supporter of you for the longest time. Uh, but I do have a problem with, uh, what you said in the newspaper here about, uh, and since I'm from Waianae, um, about you would not fight to change the union contract that allows teachers with, uh, some seniority to transfer out of tougher schools, usually in poor, rural areas. And I would like to tell you that that's what you've got to do. You've got to change that, don't you think? The teachers are coming down here, uh, practicing on our kids, get their tenure, they leave, new teachers come in, the kids just don't have a

[0:13:09] Caller (Bill): chance. What do you think about that?

[0:13:52] Pat Saiki: Bill, you know, maybe you can clear something up for me. Uh, where did you read this statement or hear this statement and what can you can you repeat for me what exactly you think I said?

[0:14:05] Caller (Bill): I'm reading it. I'm reading it from the newspaper.

[0:14:08] Pat Saiki: What newspaper is this?

[0:14:09] Caller (Bill): Uh, this is the Advertiser that was, uh, uh, March 22nd, 94.

[0:14:14] Pat Saiki: Aha.

[0:14:16] Caller (Bill): And, uh, I I read, I'm quoting you from the newspaper.

[0:14:21] Pat Saiki: What did I say?

[0:14:22] Caller (Bill): It said, uh, the last sentence you said, I would improve amenities at rural schools.

[0:14:27] Pat Saiki: Oh.

[0:14:28] Caller (Bill): And that was the end of it.

[0:14:29] Pat Saiki: No. Maybe the well, amenities I think are important, but what I think is more important is inducements. In other words, if you want to get good teachers out in the rural areas, then you've got to make conditions better for teachers to for them to stay there. Now, I'm from Hilo, you know, I'm from a small town. And, uh, basically, we in Hilo when I was growing up, uh, had teachers coming in from the mainland, they'd stay for a couple years, and then they want to come back to Honolulu to Mecca. So that they can, uh, have a, well, broader life. But, uh, no, I I hope you didn't misunderstand that. I didn't mean that we

[0:14:29] Pat Saiki: should continue to rotate teachers through the rural areas. I did I do mean that we have to make things more attractive for teachers to be able to stay there. Maybe give them extra pay, you know, merit pay. Okay, okay. That no, we're on the same line now.

[0:15:26] Caller (Bill): Uh, you see, this is not this is not only in uh Hawaii, but throughout the country, in in disadvantage areas, you'll find that teachers really don't really want to work there because there is no advantage to them. The kids are tougher to work with, like you know [unintelligible — audio glitch] know you've noticed. And and the work isn't all that appealing to them. So, so I don't blame teachers for not wanting to stay. Uh, the pay is the same. Right. But in studies that have been conducted, the Berman Wiler is an example have all indicated that in these areas where it's tough to keep teachers, that we ought to provide some kind of incentive.

[0:16:08] Pat Saiki: That's right. The unions have been against that.

[0:16:11] Caller (Bill): What would your stand be in that? I I I would I would look at the possible, uh, incentives, inducements to make things more attractive, because I think that the the children in the rural areas have been shortchanged, Bill.

[0:16:24] Pat Saiki: I agree with you. Bill, thank you very much for your question and your comments.

[0:16:28] Randall Roth: One of our goals, in case you came in late, one of our goals is to cover as many questions as as we possibly can. So I'm going to move on. We have another question that was submitted in advance. This is from Mark in Honolulu. It says, most businesses in Hawaii perceive a strong anti-business atmosphere. What specific steps and proposals do you advocate, not only to retain current businesses, but to attract new ones with their attendant jobs here in Hawaii?

[0:16:56] Pat Saiki: Uh, this is a very important subject. Uh, the economy and education are the top two issues with which I on which I want to focus. But um, when we talk in terms of business and the anti-business climate that exists, uh, the questioner is absolutely right, and the word has spread throughout the mainland. Forbes magazine says that of the 60 cities surveyed, Honolulu is considered the worst in which to do business. Money magazine, uh, surveyed and found that of the 50 states, Hawaii is the worst state in which to do business. So this anti-business climate that we have had here in Hawaii over the years has now affected our image throughout the nation. And unless we

[0:16:56] Pat Saiki: do something about it here locally, we are not going to see the growth of our economy. So, as governor, I would work very hard together with the legislature with a strategic plan to change this image from an anti-business to a fair business atmosphere. Uh, we have placed over the years, rules, mandates, regulations, uh, we have made life very difficult for businesses, uh, and today, of course, you see the legislature wrestling with workers compensation reform, uh, which has not really been, uh, I think, directly addressed. So until we are accepting of the fact that we have a problem, we're not going to be able to entice new businesses to come and locate here. I say, however,

[0:16:56] Pat Saiki: that one of the bright lights that we have here in Hawaii are these wonderful, aggressive, uh, risk takers called entrepreneurs. And if we were to put all of our energies together to help new small businesses get started, uh, help them to grow, help them to expand, And then even look at exporting. I think we will have an economic base that will be diverse. We will continue to have to depend on the tourism industry, we have to stabilize that. And then we have to look at diversified agriculture. So we have many positive challenges ahead of us, and certainly the governor's office can be in the lead.

[0:19:22] Randall Roth: Okay. We have a caller who's been very patiently waiting on line two. John, you're on the air.

[0:19:27] Caller (John): Hi, you, Hi. Hi, this Mr.

[0:19:30] Pat Saiki: Yeah, this is me, John.

[0:19:31] Caller (John): Hi, I'm from the Big Island. Uh you recently downplayed your relationship with Larry Mehal. Mhm. But however, my parents got an invitation for a fundraiser at his house. Can you further explain your relationship with them other than the fact that he went to school with you?

[0:19:47] Pat Saiki: I don't know of any fundraiser that's being planned.

[0:19:50] Caller (John): Or it was a dinner or something, you know.

[0:19:52] Pat Saiki: Oh, no. I I'm not sure. My schedule uh is my scheduling committee meets and so I I know what I'm doing tomorrow and the next day, but you have to uh provide me with more information on this one. But no, Lary Mihal is a classmate of mine. And uh we have known each other for many years, like uh you know, and and uh he's offered to help and like uh anyone, I would accept uh help from everybody.

[0:20:21] Caller (John): Okay, so he's you're not sure about this fundraiser or not on the Big Island.

[0:20:25] Pat Saiki: No, I'm not positive about that. No.

[0:20:27] Caller (John): Okay. The last thing I want to know, we wanted if you to come over to talk to us on the Big Island to one of our schools, and we called your uh campaign headquarters. And they told me that you don't attempt forums or meetings like that and we're kind of disappointed. Can you explain why?

[0:20:41] Pat Saiki: I think there must have been a misunderstanding. I have attended many forums and many meetings and I am uh available to speak to groups and it's just a matter of scheduling. It's just a matter, you know, it's kind of nice to be so popular. We have to turn down 50 to 60% of the requests that come in, John. Uh and you can imagine I'm only one person. Maybe you can help me out here and talk on my behalf on the Big Island but I do need uh help in representing myself as many places as possible. So, uh that's not true at all. I I do attend forums, I do attend meetings, I give speeches, I

[0:20:41] Pat Saiki: do openings. You know, everything that I can possibly physically do, John.

[0:21:23] Caller (John): Well, thank you very much. Okay. Good luck on your race. Thank you, John.

[0:21:27] Randall Roth: Uh I have a question that was submitted in advance from Richard in Manoah. It says, what plans do you have for affordable housing in Hawaii?

[0:21:36] Pat Saiki: Affordable housing is something, of course, that's on the minds of all of us. It is such a pity today that the median cost of a home is $350,000. Randy, I have five children. Uh two of them are here in Hawaii with me, the other three are on the mainland. Uh and they don't really intend to come home right away. Number one, because they say opportunities are so limited. Job opportunities, the pay scale is so low, the cost of living is so high and the fact is they don't feel that they really will be able to own their own homes anytime soon. Of course, they jokingly say, well, you know, mom, we can always move back

[0:21:36] Pat Saiki: in with you, but I think they really would rather be on their own. So I understand uh full well the need for affordable homes. I have been looking into this matter and and uh meeting with all kinds of levels of people to get a grasp on what we have to do to plan ahead. Uh I have learned that uh with from good sources that there are about 50,000 lots that are available for housing right now. Our problem is infrastructure. We cannot we have not put the money into the infrastructure that is necessary. And sometimes what we do is we force our developers to bear the cost. Those costs are passed on and the houses are

[0:21:36] Pat Saiki: no longer affordable. They become market-based and of course unreachable to many. So affordable housing will have to be pursued in a systematic fashion as a partnership between government and the private sector. The private sector I believe should build the homes. Government can help with the infrastructure and the selling of bonds or the financing for those homes. So, I uh am fully aware of the problem and and intend to uh develop a plan for it.

[0:23:36] Randall Roth: Would you describe it as a a high priority item?

[0:23:40] Pat Saiki: Oh, yes, I mean, it's always high priority when you got to have a roof over your head. That's right.

[0:23:45] Randall Roth: I'm here with Pat Psyche, a candidate for governor who wants to answer your questions. Just call 955-8821. We have a number of people on the line waiting. First uh Patrick from Moiliili. Patrick, are you there?

[0:23:59] Caller (Patrick): I'm there.

[0:24:00] Randall Roth: Wonderful.

[0:24:01] Pat Saiki: Hi Patrick.

[0:24:02] Caller (Patrick): Hi Pat. How you doing?

[0:24:03] Pat Saiki: Fine.

[0:24:03] Caller (Patrick): I have a question to ask you. As a young voter, um, why should I vote for you?

[0:24:10] Pat Saiki: You should vote for me, Patrick, because you want to join me in determining a brighter future for the state of Hawaii, where we have honest government, people with integrity, people you can trust, to make the right decisions on your behalf. You got to vote for me because you're going to join me in growing the economy, improving our educational system, providing home rule for our county so that they can better determine their own futures. You're going to vote for me because you are going to trust that what I do for you will be with sincerity. I'm not in this game to gain power. This is not the last notch on my career ladder. I don't want

[0:24:10] Pat Saiki: to do this because I've always wanted to do this. I'm doing this because I feel that I have the experience, that I have the background, I have certainly the uh energy and the intentions, which are real.

[0:25:13] Caller (Patrick): I really believe you. You very sound very sincere. Thank you.

[0:25:16] Pat Saiki: I am. Thank you, Patrick.

[0:25:18] Randall Roth: You're welcome. Thanks, Patrick. Sure. We have Carol in IA. Carol, you're on the air.

[0:25:23] Caller (Carol): Hello?

[0:25:24] Randall Roth: Yes, you're on the air.

[0:25:25] Caller (Carol): Thank you very much.

[0:25:26] Pat Saiki: Hi Carol.

[0:25:27] Caller (Carol): Hi Pat. Um, you know, you're going to be walking into a uh seem like a real deficit situation with the the government as it stands right now. They're cutting positions for as far as deputies now and cutting the uh cutting your power to veto, leaving you with lots of um bills that are coming due. How are you going to handle that when you get into um office?

[0:25:47] Randall Roth: Oh, you're talking about the legislature, are you?

[0:25:49] Pat Saiki: Right. Yes, I I noticed that the legislature has become awfully busy in trying to trim the size of government. Basically, they're doing me a great favor. You know, if I become governor, they would already have addressed some of the basic problems. I understand, for instance, there are 12 deputies in the Department of Health. There used to be only two. So, if they are going to trim some of those deputies, they'll be helping me to do my job. So, I applaud all the efforts of the legislature in trimming the size of government and making it more effective and if I become governor, certainly uh I'm going to inherit something a little better than it was.

[0:26:28] Caller (Carol): Hopefully, so.

[0:26:29] Pat Saiki: Hopefully. Thanks.

[0:26:31] Caller (Carol): Hi.

[0:26:32] Randall Roth: Uh one of the things I thought I heard in in Carol's question was whether or not you as a Republican would be able to work uh well, effectively with a democratic controlled legislature.

[0:26:43] Pat Saiki: I think I can, Randy. That's a good question that comes up quite often. You know, I have great faith in legislators because I I was one myself and I know that they want to accomplish things. They're not there to provide gridlock. They're not there to block things all the time. If there were a plan, if there is a plan in place that they are going to participate in, they would want to make it successful. And I speak from the heart on this because I was in the legislature when Jack Burns became governor. He had a vision. He had a plan and he had a timetable. Once I as a Republican uh became aware of what

[0:26:43] Pat Saiki: he as a Democrat was planning to do, the partisan concerns dropped off. Uh you know, you put that aside because you're there to do a job and you're do you're there to do a job on behalf of people. And so, I think partisan concerns are secondary to getting the job done. And working with people who are legislators who are honorable people who want to do things for our people that are positive, will be really, I think a a healthy challenge and I feel very comfortable about that.

[0:27:59] Randall Roth: Somebody called in a true/false or yes/no question. Do you think the media is doing a fair job on their coverage of the gubernatorial race thus far?

[0:28:10] Pat Saiki: Not yet. Not yet. Okay.

[0:28:12] Randall Roth: We have another caller, Lindy from Hawaii Kai.

[0:28:16] Caller (Lindy): Oh hi.

[0:28:17] Pat Saiki: Hi Lindy.

[0:28:17] Caller (Lindy): I was just wondering how you felt about the Board of Education? Should they be elected or should they be appointed?

[0:28:24] Pat Saiki: Let me share with you that I have felt for a very long time and I continue to feel that in order to have accountability for education, you have to have an appointed board. Put it at the feet of the governor. Let someone in this state be totally responsible for education. We have now a kind of a tripartite situation. You know, you have a Board of Education that's elected and I'm afraid we as citizens don't pay enough attention to the people who are running for office. Uh and yet, we place on them a tremendous responsibility. Then you have a legislature that funds education, and then you have the governor that releases the moneys. So nobody really

[0:28:24] Pat Saiki: can uh be held responsible and accountable for the results of the education program. I think it's time that the people of this state put the responsibility where it belongs and that's at the governor's feet. And so, I would say rather than continue this charade that we have endured for so many years with education being so very important to all of us. Let's change the system and put it where it belongs, have an appointed board and uh have that board then answerable to the governor.

[0:29:51] Caller (Lindy): Thank you.

[0:29:52] Randall Roth: Thank you, Lindy.

[0:38:00] Pat Saiki: Right now we're still suffering from the lack of tourists, but I think we have adequate hotel rooms in place.

[0:38:07] Randall Roth: Phone lines are open. The number is 955-8821 and neighbor islanders are invited to call collect. Well we have another question that was submitted in advance from Chuck in Honolulu. He says, do you support some form of sovereignty? And if so, what model do you prefer?

[0:38:27] Pat Saiki: On this one, I am going to, uh, defer, okay, for these reasons. I don't think it's up to me as a private citizen right now or as a governor of this state to tell the Hawaiian people what sovereignty should be. Right now there are more than 300 Hawaiian organizations discussing this, rightfully so. You have three options basically. Uh, you can go with the, um, independent and sovereign nation, which is totally separate from uh what we have today, uh being a state. You also, because that would mean a sort of a secession from the United States. The other option would be a nation within a nation. Uh, we have that now with the American Indians. And

[0:38:27] Pat Saiki: the third, of course, would be to seek reparations for the ceded lands that uh we have here in in the state. The Hawaiian people as I indicated are meeting and discussing this. I respect them for doing it. I want them to have complete dialogue, and I would like to see some consensus developed. After the Hawaiian people themselves have come to some basic conclusion, then I think as governor, I would have to look at the impact those suggestions would have on the rest of the community because this has to be a fair kind of compact, uh, because we have to work totally then to convince the congress that that's the way we should go. So I

[0:38:27] Pat Saiki: am approaching this with great respect, uh to the Hawaiian people themselves, and I want them to provide the first suggestion of that of of what sovereignty should mean.

[0:40:17] Randall Roth: Okay. We have another caller, Jack from Honolulu. Jack, you're on the air.

[0:40:20] Caller (Jack): Yeah. Good morning, Pat.

[0:40:22] Pat Saiki: Hi, Jack.

[0:40:23] Caller (Jack): I was wondering if you support a handgun ban as was proposed by the current administration.

[0:40:30] Pat Saiki: Let me go back and share with you, uh, where I have been on this issue in the past.

[0:40:36] Caller (Jack): Well, let's forget where you've been. Let's talk about where you are now.

[0:40:39] Pat Saiki: Don't you want to know where I have been?

[0:40:41] Caller (Jack): No, I'm more interested to know where you stand now.

[0:40:44] Pat Saiki: Oh, well, can I take a few minutes to explain?

[0:40:47] Randall Roth: Go ahead. Jack, stay on the line.

[0:40:49] Pat Saiki: Because this is not a new new issue. This is something that we've discussed for many years. In my years in the legislature, we had this discussion once before. I believe truly that uh we have a constitutional we have constitutional language that uh allows for the right for self-protection, the right to bear arms. And this right is a basic right. However, that right has to be uh respected, and it has to uh be allowed within certain guidelines. So when I was in the legislature, I voted for the 10-day waiting period for registration of a of any kind of gun, and uh I think that was a good move. In the Congress, I voted for the Brady

[0:40:49] Pat Saiki: Bill. I know that the current legislature is discussing a possible ban. I think what we should do is move with education first. I think education provided to people who purchase guns of any kind uh would help to get them to realize the seriousness and the responsibility of owning a gun. So right now, I would not be for a total ban of handguns.

[0:41:59] Caller (Jack): Well, that's wonderful. Thank you very much.

[0:42:01] Pat Saiki: Thank you, Jack.

[0:42:02] Caller (Jack): Thank you. You have my vote.

[0:42:05] Randall Roth: Pat, somebody called in a few minutes ago and and left their question. They asked, do you think we need a convention center?

[0:42:13] Pat Saiki: Yes we do. Yes, we do need a convention center. Uh, if we are going to remain competitive in the uh tourist marketplace, then we have to have a place for conventions to gather. They're the ones that uh will bring in the uh big bucks as we say, and they'll do it with within a shorter period of time. Uh, and you can be assured of what kinds of conventions would be booked, so that you can plan ahead and understand what your revenue base is going to look like. I think a convention center is absolutely necessary.

[0:42:46] Randall Roth: Okay. We have another question that was submitted in advance. Um, this one is, which would you say is more important, keeping taxes low or making them fair?

[0:42:57] Pat Saiki: That sounds like an exam question. Yeah, it really does. I mean, is that for today or is that forever?

[0:43:03] Randall Roth: Right, I This person just wants to know which do you think is more important, keeping them low or making them fair?

[0:43:09] Pat Saiki: I think right now in Hawaii, we have to keep them low. The cost of living is already too high. And if we add a a further tax burden on an already overtaxed population, uh we're going to see a cut in the disposable income uh which affects the economy of this state.

[0:43:26] Randall Roth: Great. In case you joined us late, you're listening to a special Price of Paradise radio show. I'm Randy Roth, and my guest is gubernatorial candidate Pat Saiki. Your calls are welcome. The number is 955-8821. Another candidate for governor, Ben Cayetano will be our guest at this same time one week from today. Again, phone lines are open. The number is 955-8821. Well, Pat, Gerald from uh Mililani wrote, will you take a stand on the high three policy that invites abuse by legislators and the executive branch?

[0:43:59] Pat Saiki: Yes, I've already taken a stand on that. I just don't feel that uh it's right. It's ethical for legislators after having served for 10 years uh that they should get a plum position in government to enhance their own retirement pay for and all they have to do is hold it for three years. That's a high three. I would discourage that very strongly, and in my appointment process, certainly will be watching out for it.

[0:44:27] Randall Roth: Okay. We have another question from Larry and Karen in Kailua. It says, by what process will you define, refine, and implement the citizen's preferred vision for the future of the state?

[0:44:42] Pat Saiki: You want you want to swing that by me again? They want the citizens to be involved in this this process. By what process will you define, refine, and implement the citizen's preferred vision for the future of the state? Oh, I think that is a good question because that's not that's what we haven't had enough of. Uh, although we have public hearings at the legislature, all you have to do is read the paper, and you see that uh sometimes these efforts are circumvented. Uh, I think meetings of boards and commissions should be more available to people. Uh, it's going to be a two-way street though, as much as government will make itself open and available for

[0:44:42] Pat Saiki: public discussion, you've got to have the citizenry ready to participate and share of their thinking. So, I would be all for it. I'm an open sunshine kind of person who gains much from talking with people.

[0:45:34] Randall Roth: Great. We've got a call from the Big Island. Jerry, you're on the air.

[0:45:38] Caller (Jerry): Hi, Jerry.

[0:45:39] Pat Saiki: Hi Jerry.

[0:45:40] Caller (Jerry): Uh, I just wanted to say, I came here three years after statehood, and I saw tremendous potential here in the islands, and I stayed. And during the period from say the mid-70s to about oh, 87, 88, this vision of mine proved quite correct, and I continued to stay. However, in the past few years, I've seen lots of governmental ineptitude, obvious lack of caring for the individual citizen by most elected officials, and this has led me to early retire from my career in tropical agriculture, and I am soon to leave Hawaii permanently. Now, do you have ideas as to what must be done to keep productive caring people like myself here without leaving in utter frustration?

[0:46:23] Pat Saiki: First of all, we've got to clean up our government. Uh-huh. I think what you're referring to is arrogance. Yes. Arrogance, complacency, uh to the point where the people who are the taxpayers are almost second-class citizens. And uh we have this small group of power brokers in this state that have controlled it for many years. Yes. And they have taken advantage of the system, and they've kind of ripped it off, you know, and taken care of each other very well. And that is a result of total political control. Mhm. We have all sat and watched it. There are some of us who have tried to buck it, uh some of us who have been frustrated in

[0:46:23] Pat Saiki: the process, and then there are people like you who see a kind of a handwriting on the wall and a hopelessness. Yes. And you feel as though you have to leave.

[0:47:16] Caller (Jerry): Well, in my estimation, you've hit the nail on the head, and I'm really sorry that I will not be here to cast my vote for you.

[0:47:22] Pat Saiki: Oh, that is too bad, because I would want you to hang in there with us. Things are going to improve. Well, maybe I'll come back someday. Okay. Okay, thank you. Bye-bye. Bye. Thank you Jerry and good luck to you.

[0:47:32] Randall Roth: We have another caller. Mike, you're on the air.

[0:47:35] Caller (Mike): Hello. Uh good morning.

[0:47:36] Pat Saiki: Hi, Mike.

[0:47:37] Caller (Mike): Hi. Um, my question is uh, actually I have a couple, but my first one is um, in supporting more power to the counties, uh do you wish to give the counties power over zoning or will you keep that power at the state level? And also, which system do you think better encourages sustainable development?

[0:47:52] Pat Saiki: Uh you hit it right on the head. The um, Land Use Commission uh had at one time stuck to its basic role, and that is to designate the larger uh land use uh for of conservation and agriculture. But as we have watched over the years, they have moved slowly into the more finite zoning types of decisions, and in many cases uh have overruled the counties. Right. This is not right. I think a county uh government should be able to determine the zoning of its own land, so that if the Land Use Commission stays in the areas of conservation and agriculture, and the urban areas are left to be designated more in detail by county governments,

[0:47:52] Pat Saiki: I think we'll all be better off.

[0:48:43] Caller (Mike): Okay. Uh you don't think that would open uh the counties up to more well, if if the zoning boards within the counties were more pro-development, you don't think you you don't think that that would uh would hurt the efforts at sustainable development? It might more responsible. It might. But you see the people of that island elect those people. Right. And so you have to always go back to having democracy prevail. Right. Uh and I think as these councilmen and councilwomen are elected, each one of them should be scrutinized as to their attitude in the areas of land development. We have to give the power back to the people is what I'm saying. Otherwise, you're going

[0:48:43] Caller (Mike): to continue to have land use decisions being made out right here in Honolulu for those who live on the neighbor islands. Okay, and I have one one last question, and I don't really know the history behind this uh story, and so I want to offer it up to you to straighten it out, I guess. Uh-huh. What what's the situation with Larry Maihow and the the support he offered you, and um I was wondering if you could comment on that.

[0:49:49] Pat Saiki: Yeah, there's no situation, you know. Uh Larry Mahow was a classmate of mine, he offered to help in the campaign, I said, yes, that'd be great. I have people like uh Irene Westell who is also my classmate, and I've got uh uh Haru Yamane and uh many others in Hilo who are part of this classmate group, and I'm not going to turn them down. I'm going to turn everybody. I'm going to invite everybody to be part of this campaign.

[0:50:18] Randall Roth: Mike, we appreciate your question. Um, Pat was asked a similar question earlier and so if you don't mind, I'm going to move on to another caller. Thank you very much. Thank you. Someone called in a few minutes ago Pat and asked this specific question. It says in 1989, you didn't want to raise the minimum wage. Why are you now in favor of pay raises for the strikers?

[0:50:38] Pat Saiki: Minimum wage where? Uh, the question just says in 1989, you didn't want to raise minimum wage. Is that not accurate? Well, I don't know what they're what vote they're referring to. This is probably when I was in the Congress, yeah. I don't know exactly what vote. But you see, what these people do, Randy, in a political situation like this is they don't take the ultimate vote which makes the decision as to whether the minimum wage is going to be raised. What they do is they take the amendments that go toward the development of the final conclusion, and they will pluck one out of context and try to use it against me in the distortion. This

[0:50:38] Pat Saiki: is not the first time it's happened. It's not going to be the last time. I've got to ask thinking people out there to recognize that right now I'm still the frontrunner and the efforts of my opponents are going to be to try to tear me down, and they're going to use these kinds of questions that give implications that I may be against a fair wage for people. Mhm. That is not my position at all. So I really truly uh kind of resent when people do this unfairly to me. And uh hopefully, I'll be able to explain things better uh as we go along.

[0:51:52] Randall Roth: Great. We've got several callers waiting. Uh first Chris in Waikeke, you're on the air.

[0:51:58] Caller (Chris): Yes, hi, Pat.

[0:51:59] Pat Saiki: Hi, Chris.

[0:51:59] Caller (Chris): Um, I was just wondering, I keep seeing businesses cutting jobs and people losing their jobs, and yet the government keeps getting bigger and bigger. Why is that? And, uh what what would you do?

[0:52:11] Pat Saiki: Government is getting bigger. Uh, remember the $500 million surplus that we had a few years ago? It's gone now. Uh-huh. Some of it went, however, to expanding the state government workforce. Uh, remember in politics, the bigger your base, the better the chances of getting reelected. So the power brokers in this state would just as soon see a big, big cadre of supporters and one of the ways to do it is to expand your size of government. I think even those power brokers are beginning to recognize that we really can't afford to sustain this size of government. So they are right and and the legislature right now is looking at cutting 250 positions. Of course, what

[0:52:11] Pat Saiki: people don't know is they're adding 95 new positions. Uh-huh. So I don't know how it all works out. But, as governor, uh the the size of government is going to be important to me because it's what the taxpayers can afford, but also how efficient that government can be.

[0:53:10] Randall Roth: Okay. Thank you, Chris. Thank you. We have, uh, let's see, Stephen from Manoa.

[0:53:16] Caller (Stephen): Hello, yes, I'm here.

[0:53:17] Randall Roth: You're on the air.

[0:53:18] Pat Saiki: Hi, Stephen.

[0:53:19] Caller (Stephen): Hi hi Mrs. Psyche. Uh, I'm an independent and uh uh, so I I kind of listened to everybody, and I just wonder what what has changed about the Republican party in Hawaii that would make me want to become a Republican in relationship to labor, civil rights and and people-oriented issues, and I I'm kind of referring to the Republican Convention. Uh, I'm gay and uh uh that bothered me a lot of course.

[0:53:45] Pat Saiki: Well, I don't know if you can judge me necessarily by the Republican party platform, as you I think it would be difficult to judge any candidate by their party platform because we are individuals, and we have taken positions on the merits of the issues. I am running under the Republican ticket because I believe in fiscal responsibility, I believe in individualism, I believe in honest clean government. These are basic tenets of the Republican party, and I feel very strongly about those tenets. That doesn't mean, however, that I agree with every single plank in the platform because you know, I have been known to have taken very independent stances uh sometimes even against the president of the

[0:53:45] Pat Saiki: United States who was George Bush. And so I would ask you to judge me for me. I would ask you to take a look at my platform and decide whether you would want to have a governor with my credentials, with my experience and with my vision for the future. The other alternative, of course, is to settle for what you've already got the status quo, business as usual. And so the decision is going to be yours, but I hope that you will base it on Pat Psyche, a person with her own background. So you support gay rights? Yes, I support gay rights within certain parameters. I got to tell you flat out that I at this

[0:53:45] Pat Saiki: point, I don't believe in same-sex marriages, but as rights as individuals in our community, certainly uh gays are entitled to uh equal protection under the law as anyone else.

[0:55:28] Randall Roth: Thank you. Thank you Stephen. We have another caller, Dwayne from Waipahu. Dwayne, you're on the air.

[0:55:34] Caller (Dwayne): Yes. Hello, Pat.

[0:55:36] Pat Saiki: Hi Dwayne.

[0:55:36] Caller (Dwayne): You bring a ray of hope for many of us.

[0:55:39] Pat Saiki: Thank you.

[0:55:40] Caller (Dwayne): What hope is there that under your administration as governor the major issues will be presented to the public for decision. I'm referring to the whole scope of things, particularly the sunshine laws that seem to have been covered up by clouds here, the uh education issue and the issue as well.

[0:56:03] Pat Saiki: You know, you have to take a look around and see what the status of politics is in this state. We've had a one-party state now for what, 30 32 years. Uh we have seen the those who are in power become more and more arrogant. When you do that, you don't have to involve the public anymore because you are ruling. You are not governing. I want to change that. I want to have people take their state government back. I want them to participate in the decision-making that is so critical to our future. One of the ways in which we can you can be assured of this is the quality of the people that I'm going to

[0:56:03] Pat Saiki: select as part of the cabinet and as part of the administration. These are going to be people with high ethical standards, certainly with a lot of experience.

[0:57:00] Caller (Dwayne): going to be hired with the understanding that this government is going to be open and free and anyone can come in and express their feelings.

[0:57:11] Randall Roth: Well, thank you, and I am confident that if you are effective in your campaign, that the people of Hawaii will appreciate your efforts.

[0:57:19] Pat Saiki: Thank you.

[0:57:20] Randall Roth: Thank you, Dwayne. Pat, as you were responding to Dwayne's question, I was looking at one that had been submitted in advance by Peter from Manoah. And he says, would you name three people that you would most like to appoint to cabinet positions if they would accept? Who are some of the people that you have in mind to bring into government?

[0:57:38] Pat Saiki: Randy, I am not going to at this time expose any of uh my choices. I uh don't think it's fair to them. Uh I think it's premature, I think it's presumptuous. I just don't feel it's fair to them. So, you know, to the people whom I would want to have part of my administration. So let me let me pass on that one for a while.

[0:58:03] Randall Roth: Okay, that's fine. Somebody called just a few minutes ago and they left this question. How do you think Bill Clinton is doing as president?

[0:58:11] Pat Saiki: Well, Bill Clinton is trying very hard. And and here is a perfect example. Everyone thought that once we had a Democrat president with a Democrat Congress, everything was going to be copacetic. Well, take a good look. Uh Clinton barely got his budget plan through, he by two votes in the House, and he had to trot out the vice president in order to cast a deciding vote on his budget in the United States Senate. Things have not been so rosy up there on Capitol Hill uh even with a Democrat president. Those uh democratic leaders are not going to necessarily roll over just because someone is a Democrat. Those democratic leaders and Republican leaders are looking for

[0:58:11] Pat Saiki: plans for strategy. They're looking for a a vision like all legislators do. Clinton, I think, has bungled it as far as our foreign policy is concerned. This situation in Bosnia is unthinkable. We go halfway into the sit into into the uh crisis. We have subjugated ourselves to the United Nations, we are not in a leadership role anymore. I think Mr. Clinton has some serious problems with foreign policy, and I hope that he straightens it out for all of our sake.

[0:59:28] Randall Roth: I'm here with Pat Saiki, a candidate for governor, who's available to answer your questions. Just call 955-8821. Well, another question that was submitted in advance comes from David in Honolulu. He says, do you support land use initiative?

[0:59:45] Pat Saiki: Limited land use initiative, yes, I will support. I I just don't think that we should use the initiative process to overturn uh basic zoning decisions. Uh it would be havoc. Uh so I would I would support a a limited kind of initiative in the state.

[1:00:04] Randall Roth: Okay. James from Waimenalo wrote, what specific steps will you initiate to begin to instill private sector competition and performance accountability into public sector service delivery?

[1:00:17] Pat Saiki: This is what we call uh private privatization. I think privatization has its place. And as we grow uh more sophisticated, we're going to see that privatization perhaps could deliver services more efficiently and more cheaply. However, that's not always true. And so I'm going to take the position that privatization is a possibility, but at this time, I cannot see any specific areas where I would apply it, but I'll keep my mind open.

[1:00:46] Randall Roth: Okay. We just have about 30 seconds left. Can you give us a quick answer to your thoughts on legalizing gambling?

[1:00:53] Randall Roth: gambling.

[1:00:53] Pat Saiki: I don't believe in legalizing gambling. I don't think we need it. I don't think we want it. I think the social costs will be too high. Uh we have to look at what we've already got in the tourism industry and diversifying our economy so that we can be a healthy, growing state.

[1:00:54] Pat Saiki: I don't believe in legalizing gambling. I don't think we need it, I don't think we want it. I think the social costs will be too high. Uh we have to look at what we've already got in the tourism industry and diversifying our economy so that we can be a healthy growing state.

[1:01:12] Randall Roth: Thank you. We hope that you've enjoyed this special version of the Price of Paradise Radio show and that you'll tune in for our regular program each Saturday morning at 9:00 on this station or Sunday morning at 8:00 on KHPR 88.1 FM and KKUA 90.7 FM.

[1:01:13] Randall Roth: Thank you. We hope that you've enjoyed this special version of the Price of Paradise radio show and that you'll tune in for our regular program each Saturday morning at 9:00 on this station or Sunday morning at 8:00 on KHPR 88.1 FM and KKUA 90.7 FM. My guest this weekend will be Amy Agbayani, director of Student Equity, Excellent and Diversity at the University of Hawaii, and Robbie Om, an executive at First Hawaiian Bank, who was a member of Governor Wahaye's cabinet for 6 years. They'll be talking about ways we can regain a sense of community in Hawaii. Um, next Wednesday at this same time, we'll be talking about unions with Jay Musto from the University of

[1:01:13] Randall Roth: Hawaii Professional Assembly, and Tony Ruttledge from the Teamsters and Unity House. We hope to have Russell Okata on hand too, but not if it will interfere with uh attempts at a settlement. Finally, I want to thank today's guest, Pat Saiki, for sharing this hour with us. Uh, one of her opponents in the campaign, Ben Cayetano, will be our guest one week from today at this same time and we hope you'll tune in with us at that time. A show like this is only possible with the help of a lot of people. We've had Suzy Roth, Shelly Dezzani, Jeff Ilardi and a number of other folks helping us. This is the Price of Paradise radio program.

[1:01:13] Randall Roth: Thank you very much for listening. Aloha.

[1:01:29] Randall Roth: My guest this weekend will be Amy Agbayani, director of Student Equity, Excellent and Diversity at the University of Hawaii, and Robbie Om, an executive at First Hawaiian Bank, who was a member of Governor Wahe's cabinet for six years. They'll be talking about ways we can regain a sense of community in Hawaii. Um next Wednesday at this same time, we'll be talking about unions with JN Musto from the University of Hawaii professional assembly and Tony Rutledge from the Teamsters and Unity House. We hope to have Russell Okada on hand too, but not if it will interfere with uh attempts at a settlement. Finally, I want to thank today's guest, Pat Psyche for sharing this hour with

[1:01:29] Randall Roth: us. Uh one of her opponents in the campaign, Ben Cayetano will be our guest one week from today at this same time and we hope you'll tune in with us at that time. A show like this is only possible with the help of a lot of people. We've had Suzie Roth, Shelly Dezani, Jeff Ilardi and a number of other folks helping us. This is the Price of Paradise radio program. Thank you very much for listening. Aloha.

[1:02:33] Pat Saiki: Thank you. You were you were terrific. That

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