Kenoi’s malpractice
Kenoi’s malpractice
Regarding the July 6 Tribune-Herald article about yet another ethics complaint: Personally, I’m tired of reading about all the exigencies surrounding the mayor’s obvious misuse of the pCard, the lack of disclosure and postponements in bringing this matter to justice.
Attempts to have this matter reviewed by the County Board of Ethics have been pre-empted by technicalities, delays, lack of quorum and now potential bias by a board member. I doubt a sufficient hearing will occur before the primaries … and the widely popular charter amendment to increase the size of the Board of Ethics has been denied by the County Council (interestingly, two petitions on Ethics Board agendas involved incumbent councilmen — four of five councilmen said no to the charter amendment; all four councilwomen voted yes).
The long-awaited criminal trial is now rescheduled for October, but results will probably not be known before the general election. Mayor Kenoi was apparently advised by his own staff that personal use of the pCard was against the rules, yet he misused the card for years until the story was pried out of his administration by the press.
All three of his managing directors, including Wally Lau, knew about this malpractice, yet helped keep it covered up.
Voters need to keep all this and more in mind on Aug. 13, or before then if submitting absentee ballots. Be sure you vote and know who you are voting for. If you don’t vote or select the wrong people … as the old adage goes, you’ll get the government you deserve.
Neal Herbert
Hilo
‘The right lizards’
Mark your calendars. The primary election in Hawaii is Saturday, Aug. 13. I’m not here to tell you who to vote for, as that error in judgment is entirely up to you.
Just make certain you vote for all of the right lizards. Voting is a right that can be taken away by bureaucratic intransigence, as it was for 1,400 registered voters in Council District 4 immediately following the devastation wrought by Tropical “Storm-icane” Iselle.
In a coordinated blundering, the state and county stood by with their collective thumb up their noses and decided to go ahead with the election.
There was sufficient aerial imagery to show homes and roads were covered with downed trees, poles and wires, but why should they hold up the political circus for us?
Dave Kisor
Pahoa