Ironically –to meet the fashionable attitude that government must be run like a business because the people’s elected representatives can’t run anything- we created an independent HART management board dominated by local businessmen.  The first Chair, Don Horner, is one of the most respected businessmen on the island, but the most effective Chair has been Colleen Hanabusa – a politician.  It was the first board’s decision to hire an executive director, in Dan Grabauskas, who had never before managed a multi-billion dollar construction project.  I don’t know why people run for office in our current political climate.  Sure, there are some bad politicians, but as you at Civil Beat well know -because you interview them- most of the politicians in Hawaii nei are incredibly dedicated to public service.  The good guys include Sylvia Luke and Jill Tokuda.  They also include the mayor.  He does not deserve to be insulted by your editorial board.