More groups call on Ige to bring transparency back into government

A diverse coalition of more than 40 organizations and individuals is calling on Hawaiʻi Governor David Ige, the four county mayors and state legislators to be more transparent as they struggle to contain the growing coronavirus pandemic.

Common Cause Hawaii spearheaded the effort in response to Ige’s March 16 emergency proclamation that effectively suspended the state’s open meetings and public records laws until May 15, and possibly beyond.

In a letter Tuesday, the groups asked that officials continue to keep government meetings open to the public even if it is via remote access.

“The public needs to be able to participate in government in order for democracy to continue to function,” the letter states. “Government transparency and support of the public’s right to know are more, not less, critical during emergency situations.”

Among those signing the letter are the ACLU of Hawaiʻi, Civil Beat Law Center for the Public Interest, Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice, the Chinatown Gateway Plaza and Breastfeeding Hawaiʻi.