Autonomy But Not Accountability

Apparently, we're not the only ones having difficulty getting University of Hawai'i administrators to be more transparent with how they spend their dollars. When accounting professor John Wendell asked to see the receipts for money paid to private attorneys, they demanded he fork over $40,000 first.

From the Star-Advertiser:

The high tab that the professor faced had he pursued his records request — and that others presumably would face if they made similar requests — is seen by some faculty as a way to block public scrutiny of UH's legal spending. If need be, they said, the invoice system should be revised to allow for easier public access.

"UH has essentially ensured that there will never be transparency if their billing statements do, in fact, contain detailed attorney-client information," said Susan Hippensteele, a lawyer and head of the Manoa Faculty Senate

Wendell added: "The university administration wants autonomy but not accountability. It's as simple as that."

Back in 2010, we worked to get a resolution passed to audit the University of Hawai'i's spending and revenue from telescopes built on Mauna Kea's public conservation lands. Instead, the University administration dodged the public audit and promised to do their own "internal" public report for the Hawai'i legislature. So far as we know, they've never turned in even that "internal" report. So what's to hide?

In 1968, the people of Hawai'i agreed to allow construction of ONE observatory atop Mauna Kea. Today, a 11,288-acre industrial telescope park of roads, people, buildings, and parking sits on the summit. Cultural landscape and unique habitat have been irreparably lost. For the use of these public trust "ceded" lands, the people of Hawai'i receive $1/year in lease rent. By some estimates the total rent for leases on Mauna Kea should be fairly valued at $45 - $50 million/year.

See the full article from the Star Advertiser >