The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals plans to return to Maui for its annual conference in August, but unlike its 2010 meeting this one is raising eyebrows on the heels of the General Services Administration scandal over a lavish 2010 conference in Las Vegas.
Just as outraged lawmakers in Congress demanded to know how the GSA spent more than $800,000 at its conference, 9th Circuit judges are now in the congressional cross hairs for their meeting at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa.
Two senior Republican members of the U.S. Senate Budget and Judiciary committees sent a letter to 9th Circuit Chief Judge Alex Kozinski on Friday questioning the need to hold the annual conference at a spa and resort in Hawaii.
Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) expressed concern about the overall cost and their belief that the conference would be no less successful if it were held somewhere else.
Hawaii officials have long battled the perception that business meetings held here point to excessive spending -- particularly for government agencies.
In response, Hawaii Tourism Authority President and CEO Mike McCartney told the Star-Advertiser in a written statement Monday that Hawaii is not only a world-class leisure destination, it is also a place to host productive and quality business meetings.
'The United States' successful hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Week in Hawaii, attended by leaders and delegates of 21 world economies, is a testament to the growing view of Hawaii as a serious meetings destination,' McCartney said.
But he may be hard-pressed to make a case to some in Congress.
The senators say sport fishing is on the schedule, with a program of other activities scheduled throughout the conference that reads more like a vacation than a business trip to discuss improving the administration of justice. They cited yoga, surfing lessons, a tennis tournament and a catamaran snorkel trip.
The 9th Circuit released a statement Monday defending its plans.
The costs for lodging and air travel to attend the 9th Circuit judicial conference are comparable to those found at mainland venues, and any sporting and recreational activities are paid for by individuals and are not reimbursable, Circuit and Court of Appeals Executive Cathy Catterson said in a written statement.
Catterson said the senators' letter is being reviewed and a response will be forthcoming.
However, she said the 9th Circuit is fully aware of its responsibilities as a steward of public funds and that the conference is authorized by law 'for the purpose of considering the business of the courts and advising means of improving the administration of justice within the circuit.'
The 9th Circuit includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington, plus the Pacific island territories Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
After the 2010 conference on Maui, the meeting was held in Carlsbad, Calif., in 2011.
According to the 9th Circuit's website, room rates for the Aug. 13-16 conference are $230 per night for a 'run of the house' room, $240 for one with a partial ocean view and $250 for one with a deluxe ocean view. The rate does not include a $25 daily resort fee.
That amounts to $920 per judge at the lowest rate for a four-night stay.
Attendees include judges of the circuit's Court of Appeals, the federal district and bankruptcy courts, representatives of the federal bar practicing in these courts, court staff and special guests.
U.S. Supreme Court Justices Anthony Kennedy and Samuel Alito Jr. are also scheduled to participate.
Sessions and Grassley said in their letter if attendance is consistent with the 2010 conference, which drew almost 700 participants, accommodations alone would cost more than $500,000.
The conference sessions begin Aug. 13. However, the registration desk opens Aug. 11 and a golf tournament is on the schedule for Aug. 12.
Credit: Nelson Daranciang
