I don’t see why The Maui News story the other day made such a big deal about Wayne Nishiki’s business loan with Dowling when he was a private citizen with no intention to run for office. Dowling offers donations to many organizations and consultant jobs to many individuals on Maui.
This was clearly not a campaign contribution. Nishiki has been attacked for filing his disclosure late, but it was filed on Oct. 16, nearly three weeks before the election. Meanwhile, his opponent did not file his final campaign contribution report in time to be listed in The Maui News. Would it have made a difference if voters saw how many of his donations were coming from off island?
The Star Bulletin ran a story 10 years ago about State House Speaker Joe Souki getting a $100,000 “finder’s fee” from Dowling to broker a $5.8 million land sale of 100 acres of Dowling’s Kulumalu project to Kamehameha Schools. Souki didn’t disclose the receipt of the fee until 18 months later, when the Bishop Estate’s Trustees were being investigated by Marjorie Bronster. I bet The Maui News didn’t suggest he should resign.
So what appears more questionable? A $100,000 loan to a retired councilperson struggling to keep a family business going—a loan that is reported two-and-a-half months after he files candidate papers? Or, a $100,000 bonus that is not revealed for over a year to a powerful political figure in a position to do many favors? Where’s the fair treatment?
Mr. Nishiki has stated that now that he is in office, he will be looking to pay off the loan to avoid any conflicts of interest. What’s the real agenda for singling out Mr. Nishiki?
Angie Hofmann
Pa’ia