Stoimenow–Kidwell conjecture on the Kauffman polynomial of Whitehead doubles

Let $K$ be a knot, let $W_K$ be its Whitehead double, and let $F(K)$ be the Kauffman polynomial of $K$ in the variables $a$ and $z$. Stoimenow–Kidwell conjecture. Then

$$2\bigl(\max\deg_z F(K)+1\bigr)=\max\deg_z P(W_K).$$

The question is related to the problem of whether there is an infinite family of knots with canonical genus of the Whitehead double equal to the crossing number of the knot. The supplied text attributes the question to Stoimenow and Kidwell, but does not state that it has been resolved.