Please investigate ADVERTISING Please investigate As the scandal around Mayor Billy Kenoi worsens, with more folks calling for his resignation, some important characters are missing. How about Finance Director Deanna Sako? Has she or her office aided and abetted the
Please investigate
As the scandal around Mayor Billy Kenoi worsens, with more folks calling for his resignation, some important characters are missing.
How about Finance Director Deanna Sako? Has she or her office aided and abetted the mayor’s violations by allowing a continuation for years of inappropriate pCard (county credit card) use?
Is she the one who has stonewalled the press, in violation of the Hawaii Open Records Law?
What about the County Prosecutor Mitch Roth? This case screams out for a thorough and transparent investigation of the likely illegal use of government funds. Mr. Roth’s silence is shameful; he needs to wake up and do the job he is paid to do.
The question remains: Is the mayor being protected by these people at the expense of their own integrity and reputations?
Mrs. Sako and Mr. Roth: You owe us some answers. As the intensity increases, your continued silence will make matters worse for you.
Gwen Ilaban
Waimea
Not an ethnic issue
In his letter (Your Views, April 2), Don Weeks equates “Hawaiian protesters” with ethnic Hawaiians. His assertion appears to be somewhat unfounded.
This is not an ethnic or racial issue; it is a religious issue rooted in Hawaiian cultural values and principles. Individuals seeking to embrace Hawaiian religious beliefs are, in no way, exclusively bound by race or ethnicity.
To imply that Hawaii County police have selectively enforced the law based on ethnic origin is extremely shortsighted. The Thirty Meter Telescope protesters are simply exercising their right to assemble, realizing that any disruption of equipment moving up the mountain could result in their arrest.
Such was the case as news reports indicated that 12 people were arrested … I know for a fact at least one of those arrested is not of Hawaiian descent, but is Hawaiian at heart. That alone debunks Mr. Weeks’ ethnic contention.
Police have utilized the better part of discretion in dealing with this issue. Don’t cloud it by racial overtones. Thus far, protesters and police should be commended for their actions.
Time to be pono, Mr. Weeks. I believe you owe the Hawaiian community an apology — a simple “kala mai ia‘u” will do.
Clayton Kua
Hilo
