Voters approve three charter amendments

Hawaii County voters passed all three proposed charter amendments during Tuesday’s general election.

Proposal No. 1 asked voters whether the county’s membership of the Board of Ethics should be increased from five to seven.

Members will continue to nominated by the mayor and confirmed by the County Council and serve staggered terms of five years. The measure passed 54.3% to 37.2% after early election results, with 29,440 votes in favor of expanding the panel.

Early returns include all mail-in ballots and most drop-box ballots.

Proposal No. 2 asked voters whether the county auditor’s duties should be expanded to include investigating allegations of fraud, waste or abuse within the operations of the county.

The auditor will determine when an allegation warrants investigation and may provide recommendations. The measure passed 79.7% to 13.3% with 43,198 votes in favor of expanding the panel.

Proposal No. 3 asked voters whether a Youth Charter Commission should be established.

The commission would consist of nine to 15 members between ages 14 and 24. The commission would advise the mayor, County Council and county agencies on legislative and budgetary matters, assess existing programs and advance new programs that support youth development and encourage and coordinate youth participation in county initiatives and other forms of civic engagement. The measure passed 61.8% to 30.9% after initial election returns, with 33,513 votes in favor of expanding the panel.