Hawaii's being driven back to the kingdom

Some activists are clamoring for a return to the kingdom of Hawaii. Judging by the dismal condition of most roads, we might be closer to it than we think!

Volker Hildebrandt
Kaneohe

Kingdom was better at keeping up roads

Driving, while trying to avoid potholes, I cannot help but think how road and highway improvements were handled here in Hawaii more than 100 years ago. It was quite efficient and community based. Shouldn't policies and societies improve with time?

The minister of the interior would appoint a road supervisor in each district of the Hawaiian kingdom. There were 25 districts across the islands. In each district, the road supervisor directed "the public labor on roads, bridges, and all public highways" (Civil Code Title II, Article IV).

If it was believed that a road supervisor was in breach of his duties as defined by law, a written complaint signed by a minimum of 12 district residents could be presented to the minister of the interior for a hearing. Road supervisors proven to be in breach of the law would be dismissed.

Kingdom law provided, upon request of at least 50 district taxpayers, "that a new road, highway, or street be opened" or old ones be "shut, widened, or altered." A judge would select 24 names among the district's legal voters. Of this group, a jury of six would be chosen "to decide on the propriety of the measure proposed." A majority decision would be certified immediately and acted upon by the minister of the interior.

Surely, more than a century later, we should be able to repair roads more efficiently, build new access roads in needed areas such as Waianae, and hold someone or some governmental department accountable for the inability to serve the public good.

Derek Kauanoe
Honolulu