Strip Hanohano of chairmanship

The directive sits right up there at the top of the page, just under the heading, "Code of Legislative Conduct," part of the rules the state House of Representative set for itself.

It reads: "Members should conduct themselves in a respectful manner befitting the office with which they as elected officials have been entrusted, respecting and complying with the law and acting at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity of the House."

There can be no doubt that Rep. Faye Hanohano has run afoul of this rule, on multiple occasions, and that penalties stronger than demands for apologies are in order. House leadership should make quick work of its investigation into the matter — there’s ample evidence right at hand, all of it bolstering calls for Hanohano’s censure.

Further, a person unable to manage his or her temperament and behave civilly should not be put in a position that could inflate a sense of power and entitlement. Hanohano hasn’t proven herself worthy of the committee leadership role she now holds.

After holding top posts in two other committees during her tenure, the Puna representative now chairs the Ocean, Marine Resources, and Hawaiian Affairs Committee. She should be stripped of that title and its duties as quickly as possible.

Hanohano was elected to represent District 4 residents on Hawaii island, and she serves at their pleasure. But anyone given special influence over decision-making, such as a chairmanship, needs to secure the trust of the general public that decisions will be fair. Hanohano has lost that trust now, and the House can’t afford to keep her in the job.

The House missed its first enforcement opportunity a year ago when Hanohano made ethnic and racial remarks while exhibit specialists were installing art in her office for the Art in Public Places program. Hanohano had been upset that none of the works were by Native Hawaiian artists.

At that point, House leadership let the matter drop after Hanohano apologized, evidently hoping that she wouldn’t go there again. Those hopes were dashed last week when a college student alleged that Hanohano made dismissive remarks during a hearing on shark fishing regulation, comments that were disparaging of Westerners and of his age.

Any insult from an elected representative is a problem, especially in a state where the public tends to steer clear of civic duties even under the best of circumstances. The fact that Hanohano leans in with ethnic slurs makes her behavior especially offensive.

Reinforcing the case against the legislator, among other testaments, is the letter from William Aila, director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Aila — like Hanohano, a Native Hawaiian — depicted her as "abusive in authority, racially discriminatory and inappropriate" to the department’s staff.

There were several specific examples provided: Hanohano accusing a staffer of the "genocide" of Hawaiians, hectoring others in Hawaiian, knowing that they don’t speak the language.

The legislator wears her affinity for her culture on her sleeve, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But as an elected representative, she owes equanimity to all her constituents — all citizens, in fact — regardless of ethnic background.

Hanohano’s Capitol website page describes her beliefs. With "a blending of Native Hawaiian practices and Western Ideology," it reads, "Hawaii can once again be truly called the Aloha State." This rhetoric diverges so radically from the lawmaker’s actual behavior that there can be no further indulgences.

The sentiment is nice, but actions speak louder than words. Hanohano has acted, repeatedly. And now House leadership should take its turn.