Every year, the Big Island Press Club awards its Torch of Light to someone in the state, usually a public official, for advancing the public’s right to know.
This year’s award went to Hawaii County Councilwoman Sue Lee Loy.
BIPC selected Lee Loy for sponsoring a charter amendment in 2018 that brings more transparency to the process of awarding raises to Hawaii County government’s top officials.
Lee Loy, who was a freshman council member at the time, successfully persuaded first the County Council and then the voters to agree to more transparency for the Salary Commission. Council support was unanimous, and the ballot initiative was approved by 44,631 voters, or more than 80% of those casting ballots.
“We recognize Lee Loy for her courage in putting forth a charter amendment that makes more transparent her own salary as a government official, as well as those of dozens of officials whose salaries account for millions of dollars in taxpayer funding,” said Big Island Press Club President John Burnett.
The charter amendment slows down the approval process to provide safeguards for the public by requiring, at least 30 days prior to the approval of any salary adjustment, public notice of the proposals in at least two daily newspapers in the county, a public hearing videoconferenced so East and West Hawaii residents can participate and a “detailed report” about how the commission reached its recommendations, which would be open for public inspection.
Lee Loy’s work does not keep top government officials from receiving raises. It just gives the public the opportunity to weigh in.
The Torch of Light award will be presented during BIPC’s annual holiday luncheon slated for 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at Kenichi Restaurant in Hilo. The buffet menu is furikake Panko salmon, braised short ribs, chicken katsu, tossed salad and yakisoba.
Nonalcoholic beverages are included in the buffet price.
Tickets are $25 for Big Island Press Club members and $30 for nonmembers. Reservations must be made by Dec. 11 at https://bipc_2019_torch_of_light_luncheon.eventbrite.com.
Reservations also can be made by emailing the number of members and non-members who plan to attend to info@bigislandpressclub.org and sending a check to: Big Island Press Club, P.O. Box 1920, Hilo, HI 96721.