FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                   March 30, 2006

Release M-34

MAYOR LAUDS COURT’S CommPac DECISION

            Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann today praised the decision by Circuit Court Judge Eden Elizabeth Hifo, who, yesterday, dismissed in its entirety the lawsuit against the city brought by Communications Pacific and its president Kitty Lagareta.

            “I’m pleased the Court found in the City’s favor,” Hannemann said.  “We felt all along that the City acted completely aboveboard in its actions awarding its transit consultant contract, and now Judge Hifo has validated our position.”

            Lagareta’s firm was listed as one of several subconsultants in the contract the city awarded to Parsons Brinkerhoff Quade and Douglas, Inc.  The Court ruled that CommPac’s complaint failed to comply with the State Procurement Code.

            “It is unfortunate that Miss Lagareta chose to politicize the transit issue by running first to the state Procurement Policy Board and then to the courts,” Hannemann continued.  “She and her attorney have now lost twice.”

            Hannemann also pointed to a recent opinion from the state’s Office of Information Practice which noted that the Mayor did not violate the Sunshine Law when he sought to garner support to sustain a veto of a bill that would have banned street performers from Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki. The OIP opinion was a response to a request filed by Councilmember Djou to look into possible violations by the Mayor.

            “People are frankly growing tired of these political games,” Hannemann said.  “I am also pleased that this cloud hanging over my administration has been removed.  I call on Councilmember Djou to work with my administration on issues that really matter to the people of Honolulu.”

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Contact:

              Bill Brennan, 527-6928

              Mark Matsunaga, 527-5784