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I read with dismay three recent articles and opinion pieces in the Star- Advertiser regarding the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees “code of conduct.”
This code is a travesty that elevates the interests of trustees above those of the people they were elected to serve, by demanding loyalty to the board rather than to their constituents.
It is an attack on free speech and the democratic process, and creates a board culture that encourages cronyism and conflicts of interest. All that’s missing is the secret handshake.
Many people may not realize that this problem isn’t confined to OHA. As condominiums multiply across our islands, many of these condominium boards of directors are adopting similar codes of conduct that forbid board members from criticizing or speaking out against board policies and decisions.
As long as OHA or any other board is allowed to adopt these despotic codes of conduct, the interests of their constituents will never be properly served.
Molly Brown
Ala Moana
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