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Question: Does the law that says you can’t give big gifts to state officials apply to all state employees or just the high mucka-muckas? I would like to thank a social worker who went above and beyond to help (our mentally ill son) … but I don’t want to get her in trouble.
Answer: Yes, gift rules under the Hawaii ethics code apply to all state officials, not just the highest-ranking ones. This includes all state employees, elected state officials and members of state boards and commissions — some 50,000 people in all, said Daniel Gluck, executive director of the Hawaii State Ethics Commission.
State officials offered gifts should keep three laws in mind: the gifts law, the gifts reporting law and the fair treatment law, according to the commission, which has a guide on the subject at 808ne.ws/ethguide.
>> The gifts law prohibits state officials from accepting any gift where there is a reasonable inference that the gift is intended to influence the performance of their job.
>> The gifts reporting law requires them to file an annual report (by June 30) if they have received one or more gifts from any source worth more than $200, in total.
>> The fair treatment law prohibits them from accepting “unwarranted” benefits for themselves or others.
Anyone with questions about the ethics code, whether a state employee wondering whether it’s legal to accept a specific gift or a member of the public wondering whether it’s legal to offer one, may ask the commission by calling 587-0460 or emailing ethics@hawaiiethics.org. Those are also the initial contact points for people wishing to report ethics violations.
Wahiawa memorial
The Wahiawa War Memorial Swimming Pool honors 21 World War II veterans from Wahiawa who died in action. As time passes there are fewer friends and family of the fallen able to pay their respects in person. The Wahiawa Lions Club, which organizes an annual tribute, is trying to contact relatives of the men to invite them to this year’s ceremony, which will be held at 4 p.m. July 16 at Wahiawa District Park Hale o Kipa, 1129 Kilani Ave. The public also is welcome to attend the ceremony.
If you are related to a veteran listed on the facility’s memorial plaque or know how to reach any of their family members, contact Rene Mansho at 291-6151 or renemansho@hawaii.rr.com.
The veterans listed on the memorial plaque are: Masaharu Endo, Chester Fukunaga, Robert Han, Harry Hayakawa, Himeo Hiratani, Kikuichiro Ikehara, William Irwin, Kumao Iwahiro, Robert Johnson, Kiichi Kodal, Mitsuharu Kuboyama, Daniel Lim, Robert McEldowney, Weldon Simpson, Richard N. Suwa, Wesley B. Swain, Robert Sweet, Yoshio Tagami, Mitsuo Tanji, Kazuo Yamashita and Jerry Yamauchi.
The July 16 ceremony will honor these men and recognize their families.
Mahalo
On Thursday I went to Ward theater to see “Wonder Woman” at the 2:40 p.m. showing, which was packed. I am handicapped and was having difficulty finding my seat. A very nice usher came to try to help me. However, there was an error on my ticket, so there was no empty seat for me. When the usher went to check on this, a very kind and thoughtful lady offered me her seat, next to her friendly son. When the usher finally found a seat for me, this very sweet lady insisted I sit in her seat, while she would go to sit in my seat, further down, on another level. I am very sorry that I did not get her name. So I hope she sees this. To her I say, “I really appreciated your thoughtfulness. You set a perfect example for your son, showing kindness and compassion to others. Mahalo, and God bless you and your son.” — A very grateful senior
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
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