Following the Yellow Brick Money Trail

I had to laugh when I read Malia Zimmerman’s article about following the money trail at Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

A few years ago Hawaii Reporter wanted to know where OHA’s money went. After all, it is public money. Does the public not have a right to know how the money is spent?

Apparently not.

At first, and as would  be expected by anyone with lots of money who doesn’t want others to know where it gets spent, their requests for financial information were ignored by the OHA powers that be. Or, were.

With a little legal pressure, OHA blinked. Sort of. It could have been a blink. Was it a blink or a wink? Under pressure, OHA was willing to provide the information for a price. $11,000. OHA representatives have promised, in public, to provide requested financial information. To date, they have not.

Why not?

Because. Because that’s what greedy money hoarders do. They connive to get money. Then they hoard the money they keep. Then then spend the money in ways they should not. Then they become indignant when someone asks for even a little accountability. Politicians do it. Embezzlers do it. Bishop Estate trustees did it. Now OHA trustees are doing it.

If you want to get to the Emerald City of Truth, all one needs to do is follow the Yellow Brick Money Trail. It may not be easy, but it is always an adventure.

Oh, take notes along the way. It’ll make for a good story, just like Broken Trust. As Dickie Wong is probably thinking, “These are not good days to be an OHA trustee.“