Source: Maui Time, Maui News, Best of Maui, Maui Activities

Remove Images Maui County The Exchange by By Anthony Pignataro January 18, 2007 WHO GAVE: Pardee Erdman WHO RECEIVED: Governor Linda Lingle DATE: July 24, 2002 AMOUNT:  $5,000 More than 400 people reportedly showed up at the big Jan. 8 lovefest at the Kihei Community Center on the proposed for-profit Malulani hospital in South Maui. At least one of them accused state Senator Roz Baker—virtually the only local official who hasn't yet planted a big wet one on the hospital—of being in the pocket of the Maui Memorial Medical Center and maybe even taking campaign contributions from them. Baker denied taking any such money, pointing out that such contributions would be illegal since MMMC is technically a government agency, but the issue of money influencing political voices on Malulani is a good one. Case in point is Governor Linda Lingle, who captured the hearts of Malulani supporters by asking Baker and the rest of the state Legislature to grant Malulani—and Plano, Texas-based Triad Hospitals, which would actually run the medical center—a special exemption from the current state laws governing new hospital approval. But hospital backers don't seem bothered by the fact that Lingle has taken thousands of dollars from Malulani Health Systems officer Pardee Erdman, who is also the chairman and CEO of the Ulupalakua Ranch. In fact, Erdman gave Lingle $500 as recently as May 16, 2005—a month after corporate filings show Erdman joined the Malulani board.