From: HawaiiGay1@aol.com Date: Sun, 8 Jun 1997 16:51:27 -0400 (EDT) Subject: HAWAII VETO Information and Alert Aloha Folks, This is an information and alert. Perhaps you would like to know and help? Last week the headline of the Honolulu Advertiser screamed that a major business concern (a coalition of 30 businesses) had sent a letter to Governor Cayetano requesting that he veto HB118 (Reciprocal Beneficiaries) [domestic partnership everywhere else in the world.] The group called itself the "Hawaii Business Health Council (HBHC) " headed by its president Duane D. Feekin, Director of Human Resources for Bank of Hawaii (Hawaii's largest bank). As a public health professional and a lobbyist for more than 25 years in Hawaii I had never heard of this group. I first contacted the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce who had never heard of this group either. I then contacted Small Business Hawaii, who's Executive Director (and also Senator) Sam a stated he had never heard of this group either. Since the group was not listed with these two business groups and with telephone directory, I contacted the author of the article who told me the job title of Mr. Feekin (808) 537-8822) and his location in the headquarters of Bank of Hawaii. I then left messages and got a return call from him about two hours later. 1. He refused to tell me or give me a list of members of the "Council" that had sent the letter to the governor. 2. He refused to read or give me a copy of the letter he sent to the governor although he referred to it in this article and subsequent ones in Honolulu Star-Bulletin and Pacific Business News. 3. He stated the mission of the "Council" was "to promote quality health care for all." I was emphatic in requesting that he contact the council and request they release the names of their members and a copy of the letter. He said he would be meeting with them in the afternoon and would get back to me if they agreed to the request. I have not received a follow up call on this matter from him, his office, or other council members. I then contacted the Chairman of Bank of Hawaii, Mr. Richard Dahl at (808) 537-8360 and conveyed the same requests plus an added one to request that Bank of Hawaii review its participation in this council and to retract its support for the veto contained in their recommendation to the governor. I based this request to retract their support for that position because the stated mission of the council was purported to be to increase the quality of health care for all which was directly opposite to the request for a veto. The measure would increase health care coverage for many individuals currently not eligible for health care. I did not receive any call back from Mr. Dahl's office either. However, I did get a rather irate call from Ms. Linda Chin, Bank of Hawaii Corporate Communications Manager (808) 537-8658 that was really peeved that I did not contact her instead of other BOH personnel (I am sure she meant Mr. Dahl). I made the same requests of her and also have not received any other communications from her. One of my first steps was also to contact Governor Cayetano's office to request a copy of the letter that had been referred to in the article. I asked also if it included a list of participating businesses in the council. About an hour later the letter was located in one of the staff's offices and Faxed to me (GLEA Foundation). The thirty businesses are as follows: GTE Hawaiian Tel BHP Hawaii Hawaii National Bank Hawaiian Tug & Barge, Corp. Hawaiian Electric Co Ilikai Hotel Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. Liberty House Hilton Hawaiian Village Outrigger Hotels & Resorts ITT Sheraton Hotels Pacific Guardian Life Kamehameha Schools, Bishop Estate Servco Pacific Inc. Alexander & Baldwin Theo H Davis & Co, Ltd. American Linen Times Super Market, Ltd. American Savings Bank Young Brothers, Ltd. American International AMFAC/JMB Hawaii Inc. Bank of America Bank of Hawaii C Brewer & Co, Ltd Castle & Cooke City Bank, International Savings and Loan Crazy Shirts, Inc. Duty Free Shoppers Ltd The Estate of James Campbell First Hawaiian Bank It was not at all surprising that First Hawaian Bank was participating in this group to promote the VETO. Jack Hoag, First Hawaiian's previous CEO and current Board member, is the founder and driving force behind the Mormon anti-Gay marriage attack group, Hawaii's Future Today. The body of the letter is as follows: A letter from Duane D Feekin to Ben Cayetano (all grammar and punctuation as in the letter)- The Hawaii Legislature dealt with many complex and emotional issues throughout the 1997 Session. With the very best of intentions and in a spirit of compromise, many issues have been addressed and forwarded to your office for action. This letter from the Hawaii Business Health Council (HBHC) is to recommend your veto on House Bill 118 relating to unmarried couples. The HBHC is a group of major Hawaii-based employers whose mission is to ensure both quality and efficiency in the delivery of healthcare within our state. We have a very positive relationship with all healthcare providers and insurers and work as a partner with these entities in accomplishing our mission. We seek your veto on House Bill 118 for three specific reasons: First, the bill appears seriously flawed in the language and will create much confusion and mistrust within our communities. Second, the Bill becomes effective July 1, 1997 which does not allow for adequate research to fully understand the impact on the many sectors which make up the Hawaii community. And third, the full financial impact of this Bill has yet to be determined. This Bill may expose the state's Treasury to serious negative impact during a period of time when you are attempting to manage a difficult financial situation. Governor Cayetano, it is not often that the HBHC takes a position on a legislative issue, and we regret that you have been placed in the position which may require your veto. We sincerely believe that when you examine the facts, you will agree that a veto is the appropriate action for House Bill 118. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Duane D. Feekin President I believe without exception all of these businesses maintain active professional lobbying forces that were well aware of this bill from the first week of the legislative session and its intention to cover any two people who could not otherwise marry. To wait until after there are no more hearings or public forums to promote veto of the bill because it might cause financial problems, but they have no data to suspect this, demonstrates a powerful attack with little recourse for those who support it. I am encouraging everyone in Hawaii to write Governor Cayetano and to demonstrate support for HB118 and to challenge the position of this council to have it vetoed. His address is: Governor Benjamin Cayetano, Hawaii State Capitol, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 I encourage any and all of you to contact the Bank of Hawaii and the other businesses listed an challenge their position in light of their mission to promote quality health care for all. We have not had time to gather all the contact numbers for most of the businesses, but hope to add that information in future posts. If you have contact information, please send copy of it to us. Also please send copy of any communication related to this alert to us for our archives . . . and to help know what effect we are having. Do good, Bill Woods, MPH Hawaii Gay Marriage Project GLEA Foundation A non-profit community service and advocacy agency Supported totally by donations and volunteers - no paid staff. Tax-deductible donations are encouraged to: GLEA Foundation P.O. Box 37083 Honolulu, Hawaii 96837