Nobody is suggesting a comparable step in Hawaii. Honolulu's water system is certainly superior to Manila's and far more capable of meeting its capital needs. But the Philippine decision is a dramatic example of the trend toward privatization, which is being embraced in many states and foreign countries. Hawaii is going backward, nullifying privatizations at the behest of government employee unions, particularly the United Public Workers, whose only concern is protecting the jobs of their members. Meanwhile the economy stagnates amid calls for reducing the cost of government.
Privatization can help, in some circumstances.
The Legislature must change the law to permit state and county officials to privatize government functions when it would be in the public interest to do so.