Hawaii's Contracting System Favors Pay-to-Play Practices Despite 2005 Law

An investigation by The New York Times and Honolulu Civil Beat has revealed that Hawaii's contracting system continues to favor pay-to-play practices, with lobbyists and executives seeking government contracts donating thousands of dollars to politicians at late-night fundraising parties in Honolulu. This practice persists despite a 2005 law meant to ban such activities.

The investigation found that over the past 18 years, individuals associated with government contractors have donated tens of millions of dollars to Hawaii politicians, often obscuring their affiliations. State contractors have given tens of millions of dollars to elected officials' political campaigns in the last decade alone.

The article highlights several specific cases, including a former Hawaii Department of Transportation Airports official, Wes Yonamine, who hosted these fundraising parties. Contractors such as SSFM and Goodfellow Bros won lucrative airport and infrastructure projects after making significant campaign contributions to politicians.

Why this matters: The pay-to-play culture in Hawaii's contracting system raises concerns about the integrity of the state's procurement processes and the potential influence of corporate interests on political decision-making. The ongoing practices, despite a 2005 law meant to curb them, suggest a need for stronger enforcement and reforms to ensure fair competition and public trust in government contracts.

The Hawaii State Ethics Commission discussed the issue and instructed its executive director to put the story and possible legislative solutions on the commission's agenda. However, lawmakers have killed bills that would have prohibited company officers, executives, and their family members from contributing to campaigns during the life of the contract.

The article suggests that these practices have had a significant impact on the state's travel infrastructure, including airports, which continue to lag behind global standards while being "lucrative hotspots for political and corporate maneuvering". A prominent Hawaii businessman, Milton Choy, wore a wire for a year to help uncover the scandal, highlighting the entanglement of corporate interests and Hawaii politics.

Key Takeaways

• Hawaii's contracting system favors pay-to-play practices, despite a 2005 law.
• Govt contractors have donated tens of millions to Hawaii politicians in 10 years.
• Contractors like SSFM and Goodfellow Bros won projects after making donations.
• Lawmakers have killed bills to prohibit contractor donations during contract period.
• Corruption has impacted Hawaii's travel infrastructure, with a businessman exposing it.