text: What makes you think Sen. Tokuda had any ability to stop this scam?  At the end of the legislative session, she was effectively stripped of any power to make any decisions over her committee.  Effectively, Dela Cruz ran the show with Kouchi's approval.  This kind of shenanigans always occur at the last minute with only a few legislative leaders' knowledge.  This is similar to the conference committee sneaking in provisions like raising the hotel room tax to pay for rail with no public hearing.  Looks like the crooks are back in power and the deal making will be rampant until the voters decide to "clean house" and get rid of all the incumbents.  Corruption now rules the Hawaii State Legislature!   Let them all eat cake!!